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warc | 201704 | After all is said and done, the prospects and promises of heterosexual culture still represent the optimism for optimism, a hope to which people apparently have already pledged consent.Berlant and Warner
How are the politics of austerity related to particular structures of feeling that are future-oriented and which assume certain measures of progress can function as markers of success and happiness under neoliberalism? How are these measures related to temporal modes of belonging that are generational and heteronormative? And how might these modes of belonging demonstrate the cruel optimism, as Lauren Berlant puts it, with which we attach ourselves to promises of future happiness via institutions and practices that diminish us? Berlant claims, “a relation of cruel optimism exists when something you desire is actually an obstacle to your flourishing” (1). It might “involve food, or a kind of love; it might be a fantasy of the good life, or a political project. It might rest on something simpler, too, like a new habit that promises to induce in you an improved way of being” (1). Our relationships to these objects might not even feel like
[End Page 21] optimism, but according to Berlant all attachments are optimistic in that they move us out of ourselves, offering “a cluster of promises” about what we imagine is possible in the world (23). Our relationships to these objects become cruel when the object/scene that ignites the sense of possibility is the very thing that makes it impossible to attain the expansive transformation for which we are striving (2). For instance, we might hold on to a fantasy of the good life, or the life of upward mobility, job security, and political and social equality, despite overwhelming evidence that liberal-capitalist societies can no longer be counted on to provide opportunities for individuals to make their lives “add up to something” (Berlant 2). We might do this even if it threatens our well being, because to do so gives us a sense of what it means to look forward to living in the world.
The politics of austerity operate through a similar affective structure. Like cruel optimism, austerity is future-oriented and relies on an attachment to a scene impossible to attain. Austerity also relies on a similar temporal structure. In focusing on saving the good life, if not for oneself at least for one’s children, austerity requires a psychic investment in a particular narrative of progress. I want to suggest that this narrative follows a sequence of events—birth, childhood, adolescence, marriage, reproduction, death—that is heteronormative. As Sara Ahmed explains, “for a life to count as a good life, it must return the debt of life by taking on the direction promised as a social good, which means imagining one’s futurity in terms of reaching certain points along a life course” (554). Such points accumulate, “creating the impression of a straight line. To follow such a line might be a way to become straight, by not deviating at any point” (554). To stay on this straight line is also to inhabit a kind of straight time, what Judith Halberstam describes as reproductive, biological, and generational. As Halberstam outlines, in straight time “values, wealth, goods, and morals” are imagined to be “passed through family ties from one generation to the next,” so that the family is tied both “to the historical past of the nation” and “to the future of both familial and national stability” (5). Queer time, on the other hand, is non-normative, what Halberstam describes as those forms of belonging that emerge once “one leaves the temporal frames of bourgeois reproduction and family, longevity, risk/safety, and inheritance” (6)—the very keywords of austerity.
I therefore want to suggest that the politics of austerity rely on a temporality that is generational and straight in the way that Ahmed and Halberstam outline and cruel in the manner that Berlant describes. Thinking of austerity in this way might allow us to acknowledge that the rhetoric of austerity forecloses certain desires, orientations, and ways of being. As
[End Page 22] Ahmed argues, understanding the... | 4,296 | 1,962 | 0.000527 |
warc | 201704 | If you’ve ever had a puppy — or a rescue of any age — you’ve experienced the overwhelming feeling that comes with taking on a new family member.
It’s pretty obvious what a puppy with a wagging tail, wiggling body and licking tongue is saying when he comes to greet you — but not all puppy language is so easy to decipher.
While the top 10 don’t yield too many surprises, we’re noticing a few trends and have our eyes on a few rising stars.
Although dog training has become more of a science than a craft in recent years, some persistent myths still mislead us when reading canine behavior. Don’t let a myth harm your relationship with your pooch. Here, we dispel 14 common myths and look at the facts. | 751 | 455 | 0.002355 |
warc | 201704 | Toxic Fungi of Western North America Guidelines for pot-hunters Learn the known toxic fungi first and the genera in which the major poisonings are found— Amanita, Lepiota, Galerina, Conocybe, Inocybe, Clitocybe, Paxillus, Hypholoma, Psilocybe, Cortinariusand Gyromitra. Eat new edible fungi in small amounts at first. Be cautious offering wild fungi to guests even if you have had no problems. Idiosyncratic GI reactions are common, although typical allergies such as hay fever, asthma and hives are uncommon. There are no reports to date of mushrooms causing allergic (anaphylactic) shock. Remember that many mushrooms cause trouble when eaten raw. These are usually GI upsets. Gyromitrin and some other toxins are destroyed, at least in part, by cooking. The Europeans have found that, on rare occasion, a number of common genera including "edible" amanitas are able to provoke red blood cell destruction when eaten raw or partly cooked. This should be true of all western hemisphere “blushers” and of species referred to by the European name Amanita franchetii(Boud.) Fayod. (13a) Don’t be gluttonous. Small amounts of some toxins may be tolerated. If a canned mushroom has been ingested, call attention of physicians to botulism if there are pupil dilation, muscular weakness or central nervous system symptoms. There is an anti-serum available, which may keep victims off a respirator. Heed the advice of Elias Fries in his Observationes mycologicae—“Illustrations appeal to idlers who do not have energy enough to study descriptions”. (16) Using a poor photograph of Agaricus augustus, but not reading the description below the colored plate, two California victims misidentified what was actually Amanita phalloides. Both required liver transplants. Agaricus augustusphoto © Michael Wood | 1,838 | 1,033 | 0.000992 |
warc | 201704 | There are the following types of regimen c their characteristics: Short-calorie regimen - characterized by apply of mixed short-calorie food, perhaps, the most numerous and diverse group of regimen for weight loss. Deep-fat regimen will suit those who find it difficult to limit the use of the foods. Monodiets. Provide for the apply of only ...
The English have a famous old saying, eating an apple a time, you save on the doctor. How choosing apple diet however a technique to lose weight, you will not only podkorrektiruete figure, but also improve your health. GOOD apple diet apple for us - one of the most accessible and useful fresh fruit. It ...
Angel diet - vitamin-protein regimen way that is simple and very effective for the relief of excess weight. Duration of the dietary Angel - 13 times. During this time, you can lose 7-8 kilogram mass loss. Dietary Angel. PitaniyaRazreshennoy fresh food system during a protein diet angel or vegetables and fruits. Strictly prohibited carbohydrates and ...
A dietary designed for 5 week. Her "favorites" - fresh vegetables and dairy items. Author diet promises that in 5 week "you lose however much so this is useful to you." Kim Protasov - Israeli nutritionist. Diet, which he developed, does not limit the quantity diet food: at least, fresh vegetables and dairy products may ...
According to nutritionists, the problems associated with being overweight in the 1-st place with the improperly food. And no wonder, so a furious pace of life, many do not have time for breakfast, satisfied cup of coffee, lunch, however load-time, and dinner approximately her watch at ten o'clock. However for inexpensive eateries and restaurants, which ...
Start weight loss or regime Ducane: All beginning tomorrow! Now I once again infuriated my shape, plus those adorable long legs in short skirts on the streets, and I decided - enough to put up! Starting tomorrow, I sit down on a regimen. First, the goodness old tradition would beginning a diet Protasov, where 1.5 ...
Presently we will focus on the seven-day dietary. No fresh food restrictions - that's the chief principle of this regimen. That means you can easily satisfy hunger, when you require to. Fast diet leads to increased fat burning and appetite to restore your aging body needs state. You'll be losing weightiness at an incredible rate. ...
Lose mass. As much to write approximately it and tell. How many tips, instructions and techniques! When I conceived to lose weight (in summer 2011), I shoveled much of information, and was ready for a radical replace in regimen (because the extra 14kg of me there). Rightly, I did not start to torture yourself zhestkach ...
Regime Mayo Hospital (- 8 kg per 7 days) fat burning soup. Unable to apply any alcoholic beverage, however it interferes with the removal of fat from the body. With dietary want pass for 24 hours earlier use of any alcoholic beverage. Allowed to take prescribed medications. The basis of the diet is "bisque, fat-burning." ...
Regime Larisa Dolina. Every woman dreams of a perfect form, for example, Larisa Dolina thin twenty-six pounds, a help kefir dietary. Larisa Dolina eliminated from your regime all floury, sweet, fatty, smoked, started drinking more plain h2o throughout the day, began to exercise regularly. The last meal was not later than six o'clock in the ... | 3,362 | 1,749 | 0.000575 |
warc | 201704 | Monday, March 29, 2010 Slightly missing the point
I am, of course, pleased that Nature Materials ran a news item about our recent paper. However, they appear to have missed the point a bit. What we were trying to point out was that plotting data in scaled coordinates (current normalized by temperature to some power vs. voltage normalized by temperature, in this case) can be misleading. In this particular case, plotting temperature-independent data in this way on a log-log plot can make it look like the data all collapse onto some universal curve (with deep implications). In fact, the data themselves aren't doing any such thing - the apparent collapse is due to a flawed plotting procedure. Ross McKenzie got this point immediately. Ahh well. Bottom line: be very careful when plotting "scaled" quantities, to make sure that you're not biasing yourself toward a particular conclusion.
Posted by Douglas Natelson at 12:55 PM | 936 | 553 | 0.00182 |
warc | 201704 | In August 2003, then-University President Fr. Edward “Monk” Malloy finalized a 10-year strategic plan for the University to direct its development in the upcoming years.
Now roughly five years into the plan, the document is still evolving as University leaders continue to think ahead into the future, Executive Vice President John Affleck-Graves said.
Affleck-Graves said the document, “Notre Dame 2010: Fulfilling the Promise” was Malloy’s vision for the University in the year 2010 and beyond. Although several priorities in the strategic plan have been altered because of the economic downtown, he said many goals in the report have been achieved.
“At the time you draft it, you are trying to guess how things will be 15 to 20 years later and things change in unexpected ways,” Affleck-Graves said. “So now we are five years into the plan and [University President Fr. John Jenkins] has been undertaking a review of what we have done, what we need to do still and what we need to change.”
The original strategic plan names research, residence and campus life, diversity in the faculty and student body and the University’s Catholic identity as priorities as the University heads into the future.
Affleck-Graves said these focuses still remain central to the University, so the budget has been adjusted to build facilities for research and attract endowed faculty to Notre Dame.
Despite the past year’s recession, Affleck-Graves said the University’s faculty has been growing.
“The first thing is continuing to get outstanding faculty, and then it’s providing an infrastructure of support for that faculty to do research,” he said.
Since the plan was drafted, the University has added the new Law School, and the new engineering facility, Stinson-Remick Hall will be ready this year.
The University is waiting on funding for a Social Sciences building and a multidisciplinary research center.
“I think the faculty are absolutely essential to our teaching and research mission, so they are a very important priority for us,” he said.
While strong faculty and state-of-the-art research facilities have been a steady focus since the original plan was drafted, Affleck-Graves said financial aid emerged as a high University budgetary priority in the past year.
“We’re in a very difficult economic time and more of our students need financial aid and those that need it, need more,” he said. “On the student side without a doubt that is one of our biggest priorities. We are still fully need-blind and committed to that.”
Student priorities indicated in the 2003 plan are overcrowding in the dorms and the size of LaFortune Student Center.
“Relative to our own campus residency rate, LaFortune Student Center should be at least twice its current size,” the plan said.
However, as new priorities have emerged and the economy has limited some funding, Affleck-Graves said plans for the construction of a new student center, originally slated to stand near Stepan Center, have been pushed to the side until the University can come up with the money.
The report also states a need to “alleviate overcrowding in the existing residence halls, accommodate undergraduate students in at least four new residence facilities.”
Affleck-Graves said Ryan and Duncan halls were built in response to this concern, and the University is currently seeking funds to possibly build two other residence halls.
“We always have to reallocate; it’s part of the process,” he said. “The University is always responding to what we see is the greatest priority and we do change those and sometimes only some priorities get funded.”
Along with the student and faculty focuses in the strategic plan, Affleck-Graves said Geddes Hall, the new center for the Institute for Church Life and Center for Social Concerns, is a visible sign of the commitment to the University’s Catholic mission as stated in the plan.
“Geddes Hall is such a great feature of undergraduate life at Notre Dame. I think we feel really good about it,” he said. “I think the University would like to feel that it’s a very attractive place for the leading catholic scholars in the country to have as their academic home.”
As the University is moving into the 2009-2010 school year, Affleck-Graves said Notre Dame has made good progress in developing the goals outlined in the report, but Affleck-Graves said the plan is just that: a plan, and leaders are constantly reassessing it.
“We’ve lived the plan and we’re about halfway through,” Affleck-Graves said. “It’s an evolving, living document. We just kind of grow with the plan.” | 4,812 | 2,060 | 0.000511 |
warc | 201704 | Denmark city sensors track shopping habits at Christmas market
Denmark’s Aalborg City Business Association is turning to a smart sensor network to monitor and analyze the impact of large-scale events, starting with its Christmas market. Known as BlipTrack, the technology tracks the public’s mobile phones and tablets to provide useful data that can be put to use in easing the flow of urban traffic, optimizing retail setups and more.
The solution, developed by BLIP Systems, makes use of a series of sensors placed at strategic points, designed to collect data from Wi-Fi devices. The system has been used in the past to manage traffic flow in train stations, and in Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International and Toronto Pearson airports.
The visually-unobtrusive Indoor Sensors feature a directional antenna design that allows for accurate positioning of smartphones and tablets, collecting data from around 50 percent of all people in the target area. They provide detailed stats about users, including their movement patterns and how long they spend in each area.
The data is translated into a real-time, online graphical user interface – presenting graphs and dashboards for analysis, and integrating Google Maps where appropriate.
In the case of Aalborg City, the network will be used to observe the number of shoppers, recording when and where they spend time, allowing the municipality to control the flow of people and cars. It will also give shopkeepers the opportunity to streamline their future retail operation, adjusting how many staff are on the shop floor at any one time, and tweaking opening hours in accordance with demand. The city has signed an initial contract to use the system for four years.
Given the advanced tracking capabilities of the solution, there are obvious privacy concerns to contend with. The company believes it has things covered, with the solution retaining no personal information, and with raw data being encrypted and uploaded to secure servers. This method of anonymizing collected information brings the system in line with the Data Protection Act.
Source: BLIP Systems | 2,138 | 1,111 | 0.00091 |
warc | 201704 | HOMEPAGE | NEWS | WORLD SERVICE | SPORT | MY BBC
help
You are in: Vote2001: Main Issues
Monday, 21 May, 2001, 10:47 GMT
Are we any better off? How have households and individuals fared under a Labour government?
The two main parties make very conflicting claims - with Labour claiming that the average family is £370 better off, while the Conservatives say that every man, woman and child in the country is paying £500 more in tax.
Of course, these two statements are not incompatible.
Average incomes are up around 10% under Labour - although the average yearly rise is less than under Mrs Thatcher.
Lower interest rates have also benefited those households (about 40%) with a mortgage - although interest rates are more or less where they started over the life of this government.
So should we give the Chancellor the credit for the UK's recent economic growth record - which began before he took office, but has continued at a steady pace?
Or should we take more account of the fact that taxes have risen faster than public spending in the last four years?
As far as individual households are concerned, official figures show that the average household had a gross income of nearly £480 per week (about £24,000 a year) in 1999-2000, the most recent year for which data are available.
That is an increase of 14% in real terms over the past four years, when the average household income was £420 a week.
Taking into account direct tax payments, the disposable income of the average household in 1999-2000 was £390 per week (£20,000 annually) - an average tax rate of just over 18%.
People who are not in work may have had a very different experience from those in the labour market.
In fact, inequality is thought to have widened or stayed the same in the first few years of the Labour government, with the income of the richest growing faster than the income of the poorest.
That is because the income of the poor largely comes from social security benefits, which rise in line with inflation, and thus at a slower rate than average earnings.
In 1999-2000 the poorest 20% of households received on average benefit payments of £96 per week (or £5000 per year), of which nearly four-fifths came from social security and other benefit payments.
The richest 20% had average incomes of £1,145 per week (or nearly £60,000 each year), nearly twelve times as much.
Of course, their disposable income is reduced by tax payments - but even after this, the richest 20% had a disposable income of £882 per week (£45,000 per year), or nine times the income of the poorest 20%.
The middle 20% of the population had an average disposable income of £315 per week, or £16,000 per year, after tax. They paid 15% of their gross income in tax.
Some of the new measures introduced by Labour, such as the working families tax credit, and the minimum wage, may have shifted the balance slightly - but they are not measured in the most recent set of figures available.
There are also significant regional disparities in household incomes which have not changed much over the past few years.
Households in London are the richest, with average incomes 20% higher than the average at £570 per week (£28,000 per year).
The poorest regions are Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East, where household income is some 25% below the average.
Incomes in Scotland and Yorkshire are also significantly below average.
Not surprisingly, the region with the lowest income (Northern Ireland) also showed the highest proportion of total income derived from social security benefits (20%, compared to 12% for the UK as a whole).
In 1976, the richest 5% of the population owned 38% of the country's marketable wealth - that is, assets like stocks and houses that could be sold for cash.
Then, the richest 10% owned 50% of all wealth, while the poorest 50% only owned 8% of all wealth.
Two decades later, in 1998, the latest year for which figures are available, there was little change: the richest 10% owned 56% of all wealth, and the poorest 50% only 6%.
That meant that the top 2.4m households own assets worth about £1,300bn, while the bottom 12m households own assets of £150m.
Other figures show that 28% of households have no savings - something that has concerned all parties - and 50% have saved under £1,500.
Almost one in 10 households have no bank account.
The increase in the wealth of the richest groups is largely due to the rise in the stock market.
Deducting the value of housing, the top 10% own an even larger 65% of total wealth.
A more sophisticated view of our standard of living would also have to take account of the value of the goods and services we now buy.
For example, the number of households owning computers has gone up in the past four years from 27% to 38%.
And the numbers owning mobile phones has increased from 16% in 1996-97 to about 50% in 2000.
Yet many of these goods have become cheaper and at the same time available with more and better features, so that people with the same level of income are able to afford a better product.
There is also the question of standards of the "public goods" we buy indirectly through our tax payments, like health and education.
If these have gone up, then again we are "buying" more for the same money - and if good public services are more widely available across different regions and income groups, then this might have compensated for the growing inequality in household incomes.
And that would compensate us for the higher taxes we have paid.
As our standard of living has gone up, we have switched to buying different sorts of products, now spending twice as much for example on transport and leisure activities rather than food and drink.
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warc | 201704 | Quebec’s aboriginal women are having twice as many late-pregnancy stillbirths as the general population, suggests a new study published in the C
anadian Medical Association Journal.
In an analysis of more than two million births in Quebec from 1981 to 2009, researchers found that the prospective rate of stillbirth for pregnancies at 37 weeks and beyond was three per 1,000 births for Inuit and First Nations women. By comparison, non-aboriginal women had a prospective stillbirth rate of 1.4 for every 1,000 births.
“The rates at 37 weeks are really not a good sign,” said study co-author Nathalie Auger of Institut national de sante publique du Quebec, the Quebec public health agency. “Your baby’s about to be born at that time. To think there’s such a wide disparity at that point in time is quite discouraging.”
Previous studies have looked at stillbirth rates in aboriginal and non-aboriginal populations, but this is the first research attempting to find out when the disparities in stillbirth rates are occurring, Auger said.
Late in the second trimester — from 24 to 27 weeks gestation — the rate of stillbirth was only slightly higher for aboriginal women than non-aboriginal women, the study shows. Truly large differences did not emerge until the end of the third trimester, at and past 37 weeks.
The disparity is concerning because stillbirths that late in pregnancy can potentially be prevented through close physician monitoring and inducing early delivery, Auger said.
The biggest causes of stillbirths in Inuit women were poor growth of the fetus, congenital abnormalities and placental disorders, which can be caused by smoking. Congenital abnormalities can also be blamed on folate deficiency and alcohol and drug use. Stillbirths among First Nation women were most strongly associated with complications arising from maternal diabetes and high blood pressure, which are linked with obesity.
Given that smoking and obesity are rampant in Canada’s aboriginal communities, smoking and weight-reduction programs targeted at reproductive-age women may be warranted, the study said.
“We need to see these programs,” Auger said. “But we don’t know if only those programs will be sufficient. I feel that there is the whole socioeconomic conditions of their lives that need to be addressed as well.”
The study also found that rates of stillbirths for the whole population dropped over the 28-year study period. But the decline was not consistent across groups, with Quebec’s First Nations women seeing no decline in stillbirth rate in almost three decades.
“Generally, worldwide stillbirth rates are going down in high-income countries, so the fact that they have not gone down for First Nations is discouraging,” Auger said. | 2,840 | 1,377 | 0.000754 |
warc | 201704 | Nestled 570 feet beneath the Alps on the Swiss-French border is the world's largest physics experiment—the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Constructed for $8.8 billion by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland in collaboration with hundreds of universities and labs worldwide, the LHC was built to test various key predictions of high-energy physics by smashing proton beams together at high speeds.
Critics contend that the awesome power of the LHC—which will accelerate particles at up to 99.99 percent of the speed of light and create temperatures in the trillions of degrees—has the potential to create a black hole that could consume the Earth. These fears have resulted in a lawsuit filed at the European Convention of Human Rights with motions against the 20 countries, including the U.S., which have funded the project.
Should we be worried?
"Absolutely not," is the verdict from Stéphane Coutu, Penn State professor of physics. "The world is constantly bombarded by energetic cosmic rays from the depths of space, some of them inducing particle collisions thousands of times more powerful than those that will be produced by the LHC," explains Coutu. "If these collisions could create black holes, it would have happened by now."
Fears about black holes are exacerbated by media hype about the supercollider, with headlines labeling it a "Doomsday Device" and "Big Bang Machine." What really is the LHC, and how can smashing particles together tell us anything new about the universe?
The most powerful particle accelerator ever built, "the LHC consists of an underground tunnel measuring over 17 miles in circumference," describes Coutu. Opposing beams of protons will be blasted through the tunnel, causing them to collide and break into smaller fragments; particle detectors positioned along the tunnel will analyze the fallout of the collisions.
Notes Coutu, "The end product of the particle collisions could provide new insight into how particles interact—ultimately, this could explain the outcome of particle processes shortly after the Big Bang from which the universe derives."
Another possibility is that "we could observe the Higgs boson as a by-product of the particle collisions," Coutu suggests. The mysterious Higgs boson is a hypothetical particle predicted to exist by the Standard Model of particle physics, but never experimentally isolated. Thought to provide mass to other particles, the Higgs boson—sometimes dubbed the "God particle"—could hold the key to understanding why matter behaves the way it does—meaning that verification of its existence would be a breakthrough in particle physics.
"In addition to this experimental data, the LHC could yield practical improvements to our everyday lives," Coutu adds, pointing out that the World Wide Web was developed by the same organization that built the LHC for the purpose of exchanging large amounts of scientific information. "New computing methods to process and analyze these extremely large data sets will have to be developed," Coutu says. "These advances may percolate down to applications outside the laboratory," he concludes.
But the physicists chomping at the bit to get their hands on these vast amounts of new data will have to wait just a little longer. The LHC was slated to commence smashing in September 2008, but was turned on for just nine days before technical difficulties halted work and pushed back the start of regular operations to Spring 2009. The cause of the delay was faulty superconducting magnets (traced back to defective soldering on a connection) which leaked six tons of ultra-cold liquid helium into the accelerator tunnels. "The accelerator and associated particle detectors push the envelope of the technological state-of-the-art, and the sheer complexity of the endeavor leads to unavoidable delays," comments Coutu.
The LHC has some lofty goals—to answer questions about our universe which humans have puzzled over for centuries—and the sheer scale and scope of the project has captured the imagination of people everywhere. As Coutu concludes, "It is hard to imagine anything more fundamental as an example of human pursuit of pure knowledge."
Stéphane Coutu, Ph.D. is associate professor of physics in the Eberly College of Science and can be reached at coutu@phys.psu.edu. | 4,428 | 2,199 | 0.000465 |
warc | 201704 | Just more than 20,000 votes were cast in the Cook County Republican primary for one of the subcircuit judges. A subcircuit is smaller than a congressional district, with about 400,000 residents, Judge Wayne Andersen said.
Four years ago, just over 1.2 million people in Cook County showed up to vote in the primary election.
But just over a million of those people posted a vote for state’s attorney – 85.38 percent of the total number of voters who hit the polls, according to the Cook County Clerk’s office.
It’s even worse when you get down far enough on the ballot where judges are elected. In one case on the Democratic ballot, only 70.64 percent voted for one of the vacancies in a circuit court judgeship race.
This drop-off is common and has caused legal professionals and academic experts to question who really decides which judges take the bench in Cook County courtrooms.
Voters, meanwhile, are left wondering how to keep track of the judges running – about 40 judicial slots will be voted on in the March 20 primary.
“The reason all of this is confusing to people in Chicago is that there are so many judicial vacancies that nobody, I repeat nobody, can keep track of all of the candidates and reasonably evaluate them,” said Judge Wayne Andersen, who served as a federal judge for two decades after spending seven years as a circuit judge in Chicago. He retired in 2010.
Michael Miller, assistant professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said voters approach a ballot as if it were a test: They get nervous when they believe they do not have sufficient information to make a decision.
“You as a voter get concerned that you are going to vote for the wrong person and for the person who doesn’t advance your interests,” he said. “You sort of panic.”
Miller said that, nationally, voter roll-off for judicial elections often exceeds 25 percent, which means that more than a quarter of people who vote do not bother to choose any of the judicial candidates. Analysis from the 2008 primary shows that Cook County is consistent with the national trend.
He said voters have the hardest time voting for judges in primary elections because they are not able to make decisions based solely on party affiliation.
“You really have to do your homework to find out where the candidates stand on any given issue,” Miller said. “We all have policy preferences, but in the context of litigation and judicial philosophy – how many voters are staying up on that?”
Brian Gaines, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said ballot position plays a strong role – how high a contest is placed on a ballot also influences how many people vote on that race. He said items placed higher on the ballot tend to get a higher participation rate, even if voters are uninformed on the subject.
Cook County Clerk David Orr said Cook County ballots are 20 times longer than the ballots in most other Illinois counties and are among the longest in the nation. In the Illinois primary, the judicial candidates come toward the bottom of the ballot and are sometimes on a separate page in the optical scan versions.
“If you put judges higher, I am sure you would get more voting on them,” Gaines said.
Cook Countyhas more than 400 judges serving more than 5 million residents, according to the Circuit Court of Cook County website.
“We are electing some of the most powerful people in our community with a system that doesn’t provide a great deal of information on which to base that decision,” said Malcolm Rich, executive director of the Chicago Appleseed Fund For Justice, which operates a website that educates Cook County voters on judicial candidates – voteforjudges.org.
Next month judges will run to fill vacancies for the state supreme and appellate courts, as well as for trial courts that are organized by county and smaller sub-circuit districts within many of the more populated counties. However, Illinois is one of the few states that has voters elect judges who have not completed a merit assessment by an appointed commission.
Linda Heacox, director of public affairs for the Chicago Bar Association, said it is important for voters to learn about judicial candidates as the primary approaches.
“There is no elected official who can have more impact on you personally than a judge,” Heacox said.
“If you come before a judge, you need to be confident that the judge has the requisite knowledge and skill, that he has the appropriate temperament to sit in judgment of your case.”
Heacox said voters can learn about judges running for election through a booklet the association will publish in about a week, which rates candidates as highly qualified, qualified or not recommended, with a short description detailing the finding. The booklet can be found on the Chicago Bar Association’s website. A hard copy can be requested by phone.
The Chicago Bar Association also publishes a quick guide that voters can take into the polls with them to help make their decisions.
“It is a lot of information to put on a single piece of paper, so I hope we have made it as simple as we can for people,” Heacox said.
Rich said that voteforjudges.org will report the judicial evaluations of 11 different bar associations, including the results of the Chicago Bar Association.
“You can take 10 minutes and look at our site and see all of the bar association ratings on a particular candidate and then look at the newspaper endorsements and then make a decision,” he said.
However, Rich said reading up on the judges can get difficult because the bar groups will not agree on many of the ratings.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers puts a lot of weight on a judge’s experience in litigation, for example, while other bar associations may not be as strict on that particular measure, he said.
The result is a mixed-evaluation.
“They might find someone unqualified because they haven’t had enough time in the courtroom before they go on the bench, and other bar groups might say that is not as important to them,” Rich said.
There’s no verdict, though, on how voters’ choice to opt out of certain races affects the democratic process.
While some political science experts say the more people that participate the more democratic the outcome, others believe voters should abstain from races they know nothing about.
“We want people to vote, but we also recognize that not everyone has the time and resources to research every candidate and every race,” Miller said.
If voters do want to have any say on which judges fill the Cook County courtrooms, they have to vote in next month’s primary, because Andersen said he expects only three to five legitimate contests between Democratic and Republican judges when it comes time for the general elections in November.
“The primary election is the ball game. The vast majority of judges will be selected in this primary, not the fall election,” he said.
To really affect the judicial outcome, voters have to participate in the Democratic primary, Anderson said, because no Republican has ever been elected countywide to judgeship, at least in decades.
In the 2008 primary, only 12 Republican judges ran for election, all in sub-circuit races. Andersen said a sub-circuit is smaller than a congressional district, with about 400,000 residents. In the same primary, a total of 93 judges ran on the Democratic ballot.
To Evan McKenzie, assistant professor of political science at University of Illinois at Chicago, the current system of electing judges gives the Democratic Party of Cook County total control over the process.
“If you get the Democratic nomination, which you get by going through a committee of party leaders, you are as good as in,” he said.
McKenzie said that unqualified judges can find their way into the courtroom if they have strong political connections and that merit does not play a big enough role in Cook County.
“We have a system that is capable of being manipulated by our politicians to pick our judges,” he said. “If you are unqualified, I don’t think you should be on the ballot.” | 8,398 | 3,575 | 0.00029 |
warc | 201704 | The
climate in India is dominated by the seasonal monsoon, but regional
differences in the micro-climate abound due to the varying topography and
the influence of the oceans. Indeed, the presence of the Himalayas and the
Indian Ocean lend the country characteristics of both a tropical climate and
a continental one. The result is an extreme in temperature and moisture
levels from the arid conditions of the Thar Desert to the rainforest climate
of the Northeastern States. Similarly, temperatures vary from below freezing
in the higher passes of the Himalayas to torrid heat on the Gangetic Plains.
It is therefore difficult to generalize about the climate in India as a
whole. Nevertheless, India does provide one of the best examples of a
monsoon climate due to the distinct division between the wet and dry
seasons.
The monsoon in India arises from the
reversal of the prevailing wind direction from Southwest to Northeast and
results in three distinct seasons during the course of the year. The
Southwest monsoon brings heavy rains over most of the country between June
and October, and is referred to commonly as the ‘wet’ season. Moisture laden
winds sweep in from the Indian Ocean as low-pressure areas develop over the
subcontinent and release their moisture in the form of heavy rainfall. Most
of the annual rainfall in India comes at this time with the exception of in
Tamil Nadu, which receives over half of its rain during the Northeast
monsoon from October to November.
(www.wikimedia.org)
The retreating monsoon brings relatively cool and dry weather to most of
India as drier air from the Asian interior flows over the subcontinent. From
November until February, temperatures remain cool and precipitation low. In
northern India it can become quite cold, with snow occurring in the
Himalayas as weak cyclonic storms from the west settle over the mountains.
Between March and June, the temperature and humidity begin to rise steadily
in anticipation of the Southwest monsoon. This pre-monsoonal period is often
seen as a third distinct season although the post-monsoon in October also
presents unique characteristics in the form of slightly cooler temperatures
and occasional light drizzling rain. These transitional periods are also
associated with the arrival of cyclonic tropical storms that batter the
coastal areas of India with high winds, intense rain and wave activity.
As mentioned, rainfall and temperature
vary greatly depending on season and geographic location and even within
these, the timing and intensity of the monsoon is notoriously capricious.
The result is a vastly unequal and unpredictable distribution over time and
space. In general, the northern half of the subcontinent sees greater
extremes in temperature and rainfall with the former decreasing towards the
north and the latter towards the west. Rainfall in the Thar Desert and areas
of Rajasthan can be as low as 200mm per year, whereas on the Shillong
Plateau in the Northeast, average annual rainfall can exceed 10,000 mm per
year. Similarly, temperatures vary from sub-zero in altitude during the
winter months to 48C highs in mid-summer. On average, the mean maximum
temperature during the coolest months in northern India is 21C and during
the summer months between 38-43C. The extreme southern portion of the
country sees less variation in temperature and rainfall. In Kerala, the
temperature varies by only 2.5C around the annual mean of 27C and the total
annual rainfall is 3,000 mm. | 3,550 | 1,664 | 0.000612 |
warc | 201704 | Abstract
Deterioration of paper materials is mainly due to the degradation of cellulose caused by a lot of factors such as chemical attack due to acidic hydrolysis, oxidative agent, light, air pollution and biological attack due to presence of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Various technologies exist to limit the degradation of the paper materials but in a few cases are unsuited or produce no good results. Plasma technology is an innovative process which can be an alternative to the conventional methods. The plasma treatment produces a synergetic result of sterilization and coating of the paper. This technology is environmentally friendly and can be used for industrial applications. The aim of this project is the increasing of the paper tensile strength and paper conservation by means of several different plasma treatments. | 847 | 459 | 0.002186 |
warc | 201704 | Departments Forfattere "Laursen, Keld"
Viser 1-4 af i alt 4
Laursen, Keld; Foss, Nicolai J. (Frederiksberg, 2012)[Flere oplysninger][Færre oplysninger] Resume: We survey, organize, and discuss the literature on the role of organizational practices for explaining innovation outcomes. We discuss how individual practices influence innovation, and how the clustering of specific practices matters for innovation outcomes. Relatedly, we discuss various possible mediators of the HRM/innovation link, such as knowledge sharing, social capital and network effects. We argue that the causal mechanisms underlying the HRM/innovation links are still ill-understood, calling for further research. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8516 Filer i denne post: 1Laursen_Foss_SMGWP2012_5.pdf (914.1Kb) Final Project ReportCastellacci, Fulvio; Karpaty, Patrik; Laursen, Keld; Tingvall, Patrick G. (Oslo, 2010)[Flere oplysninger][Færre oplysninger] Laursen, Keld; Foss, Nicolai Juul (København, 2000)[Flere oplysninger][Færre oplysninger] The effects of potential social capital on involvement in foreign markets for goods and technologyLaursen, Keld; Masciarelli, Francesca; Prencipe, Andrea (, 2012)[Flere oplysninger][Færre oplysninger] Resume: Drawing on social capital theory and the international business literature, we argue that domestic geography, in terms of localized potential social capital, facilitates individual firms’ awareness of business opportunities, including knowledge related to involvement in the foreign markets for goods and technology, thereby enhancing firms’ involvement in those foreign markets. When potential social capital reaches a certain threshold, it may work to trap firms into operating only within their home regions, thus reducing involvement in foreign markets. We conjecture that firms’ research and development investment moderates the relationship between potential social capital and degree of involvement in foreign markets, but given the very different properties of the two markets, with different signs for each market: a positive moderation effect for the markets for goods, and a negative effect for the markets for technology. We find empirical support for our arguments based on a representative sample of around 2000 Italian firms. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8860 Filer i denne post: 1trapped_or_spurred_keld_laursen.pdf (471.9Kb) | 2,421 | 1,133 | 0.0009 |
warc | 201704 | Debt-ceiling negotiations: With the sky falling, is a big-picture deal do-able?
We've known for months how close we are to hitting the federal government's debt ceiling. The only remaining mystery is how the crisis will be resolved. Unfortunately, the headline on our board's July 3 editorial -- "Stop playing chicken with the debt ceiling
. The impasse in Congress is disturbing. It's time for Republicans and Democrats to move out of their ideological corners and cut a deal" -- is still appropriate and timely now, nine days later.
President Obama has proposed a plan to cut $4-trillion from the federal deficits over the next 10 years. His plan includes raising $1 trillion from increased taxes, which Republicans oppose. But the president also faces antagonism from liberal Democrats, who are against his proposed cuts in entitlement programs.
During Monday morning's news conference, he vowed not to approve any stopgap measures, saying, "I will not sign a 30-day, or 60-day, or 90-day extension. This is the United States of America. And, you know, we don't manage our affairs in three-month increments."
Time is decidedly against any compromise at this point. July 22 is recognized as the last date by which an agreement can be made that would still give Congress time to write, analyze and pass it.
He has a tough road ahead, with partisan reactions to the debt crisis illuminating how far legislators must come, and soon.
Jennifer Rubin, author of the "Right Turn" opinion section of the Washington Post, has a clear and scathing interpretation of the news conference:
To summarize: He won't tell us his specific position on any issue; he is willing to talk tough to his party on entitlement reforms but not taxes; he wants a big deal, but didn't insist, as he had in the past, that it must take us through the 2012 election; and we all need to work together. Did I mention he want us all to work together? You get the drift.
At a very fundamental level, persisting in a crucial negotiation without telling the American people what the White House position is with any precision on any issue is unseemly. There is no real means of determining what is going on and, consequently, of holding anyone accountable for the results or lack thereof. What is he willing to do? On what points is he challenging his party? He says to read the news. The press swoons --
we got it right! But which reports are correct: the ones that say he backtracked on entitlement reform, or the ones that say he is larding up the deal with more taxes?
Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton, writing for the Huffington Post, sees Republicans' refusal to compromise as part of their plan to take down Obama, even if they hurt the country while doing so. Here's his take:
Instead of working towards a compromise as the president has been diligently pushing for, Republican Congressional leaders would rather leave the American people out to dry while they continue to protect the rich. It's a tired tactic they have utilized for decades, and it's beyond time we call them out for their hypocrisy, their aversion for the working-class and poor, their blatant support for the wealthy and their desire to risk anything in order to attack the president -- including our nation's future.
The reality is, these individuals will do anything to oppose and disparage this president, even if that means holding the rest of the nation hostage. In an effort to 'see him fail', Republicans continue to prove that they will allow us to default on our debt, eliminate fundamental programs or anything else that hurts the American people.
In his Opinion L.A .blog post, Paul Whitefield looks at the big picture with an idealism that rarely comes to pass in American politics:
Americans from both parties, and of no party, are sick and tired of partisan gridlock and baby steps.
So go ahead, Mr. President: Let's overhaul Social Security and Medicare. Let's fix the tax system. Let's quit spending insane billions on defense. Let's stop farm subsidies that enrich people for growing the wrong crops, or no crops at all.
We need jobs. We need to close the gap between rich and poor. We need to make sure that people who get sick can get medical care. We need immigration reform. We need the government to quit spending like a drunken sailor.
Most of all, we need a president who will lead -– and we need people in Congress who will lead with him.
So c'mon, Mr. President, and Mr. Speaker, and all you special-interest types and you "tea party" types and you liberal types: Put up or shut up.
Let's be this century's Greatest Generation.
RELATED:
--Julia Gabrick
Photo: President Obama holds a news conference at the White House on Monday to discuss the ongoing budget and debit-limit negotiations with congressional Republicans and Democrats. Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images | 4,868 | 2,428 | 0.000415 |
warc | 201704 | URL: http://digitalcommons.library.arizona.edu/objectvi... Google Scholar: Look up in Google Scholar Abstract
Introduction
Pallasites are widely considered to be poor in sulphide, as such little is known about troilite evolution and processing. Very few examples exist indicating the multiple stages of troilite evolution. Discussed here are two such samples of FeS structures one is a nickel enriched FeS grain in the main group pallasite Hambleton. The other is a series of micron FeS particles within olivine crystals lying along partially annealed fractures in NWA4482. Discussion Hambleton- Is a main group pallasite rich in FeS, previous study [1] has illustrated this sulphide as interconnecting veins and sheets contained within these are typically broken frag-ments of olivine and chromite. Many of these Troilite veins dis-play a nickel enriched exsolution texture on a scale of hundreds of microns. We have now also identified a nickel enriched FeS grain within a later FeS vein, the grain displays a nickel enriched exsolution texture on a scale orders of magnitude smaller than that observed in vein structures. It is possible that the nickel en-richment within the veins is the result of melting of small frag-ments of nickel rich precursor FeS materials. This may implies that the grain evolved from a chemically distinct nickel rich melt either within the same parent body or seperately and subse-quently mixed. NWA4482- Is a highly weathered main group pallasite consisting of many fragments of a magnetic metal oxide-olivine meteorite. Most metal in this sample was weathered into iron hydroxides it was also found to contain small quantities of schreibersite and chromite grains. Only a small quantity of troilite was identified within the sample analysed it was embedded ex-clusively as particles within olivine crystals. The commonest of these particles are submicron size spheres distributed in equally spaced arrays that appear to lie along annealed fractures. Similar structures have been noted by others in olivine crystals within the Omolon pallasite [2] and were interpreted as indicator of post deformational annealing [3] or due to terrestrial atmospheric en-try and impact mechanisms. Arrays of tubular structures were also noted by others [4] in the main group pallasite Fukang they were attributed to exsolution of incompatible elements. Conclusion The observation of pre-cursor FeS structures may yield evidence to early formation processes in the pallasite parent bodies in relation to distribution of sulphide. The struc-tures identified in these two samples are supportive of Hambleton forming via introduction of a significant sulphide volume under pressure into a metal-olivine mixture with metal approaching solidus temperature, deforming olivine, chromite and pre-cursor FeS during the processes. The arrays of sulphide present in NWA4482 are most probably due to exsolution during formation. Further studies of both these structures could yield new insights into the formation process. References [1] Johnson D et al 2008 Meteoritics and Plane-tary Science, 43, A67 [2] Sharygin V.V et al. 2006 LPS XXVII A1235 [3] Buseck P R 1977, Geochim Cosmochim. Acta, 41,711 [4] Stevens M, Buseck P R, 2008 LPS XXXIX, A2157.
Item Type: Journal Article Copyright Holders: 2009 Unknown ISSN: 1086-9379 Extra Information: Extended abstract (i.e. not a full journal paper). Abstract number 5343 of a paper from the 72nd Meeting of the Meteoritical Society. Academic Unit/School: Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Physical Sciences
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Interdisciplinary Research Centre: Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR) Related URLs: Item ID: 18383 Depositing User: Diane Johnson Date Deposited: 01 Oct 2009 14:58 Last Modified: 29 Nov 2016 16:52 URI: http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/18383 Share this page: | 3,957 | 1,920 | 0.000522 |
warc | 201704 | There are times when everyone feels stressed or unhappy. Generally these bad times pass, but sometimes there are problems that do not go away and things get harder and harder. One in four people can feel this way at some point in their life.
Talking about your problems can really help. Time to Talk is part of a national programme called Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). It is for people with mild problems of anxiety or depression who are motivated to work to change the problem.
Our team of therapists are based in Eltham, but can see patients at other centres throughout the borough.
Greenwich Time to Talk offers free psychological treatment as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for anxiety and depression. This is mainly cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and counselling. We can help you learn ways to help yourself so that you feel more able to cope with your problems.
We offer support for people over 16 who live and/or work in Greenwich borough. We also provide a specific services for 16 and 17 year olds, 65 year old and above and people suffering from long term conditions. Guided self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy and sometimes medication may help you to manage anxiety or stress better. Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit from one of these types of treatment or a combination. For more information on our service and details on how to book your first appointment please visit oxleas.nhs.uk/gttt. Address:
Floors 1 and 2
135-143 Eltham High Street Eltham London
SE9 1TJ
Public phone number:
020 3260 1100
Fax number:
020 3260 1149
Email address: | 1,670 | 924 | 0.001091 |
warc | 201704 | Appeal from the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County in case of William J. Kutler and Willard E. Kidwell, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Lower Dauphin School District, No. 3247 S 1977, In Assumpsit.
James R. Clippinger, with him Thomas D. Caldwell, Jr., Caldwell, Clouser & Kearns, for appellant.
Robert W. Barton, Killian & Gephart, for appellees.
William Fearen, with him Michael I. Levin, Cleckner and Fearen, for Amicus Curiae, Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
Judges Rogers, Blatt and Williams, Jr. President Judge Crumlish, Jr. and Judges Rogers, Blatt, Williams, Jr., Craig, MacPhail and Doyle. Opinion by Judge MacPhail. Concurring and Dissenting Opinion by Judge Doyle.
Section 2 of The Local Tax Enabling Act (Act), Act of December 31, 1965, P.L. 1257, as amended, 53 P.S. § 6902, authorizes certain enumerated political subdivisions to levy taxes on "occupations". Pursuant to that authorization, the Lower Dauphin School District (School District) enacted a resolution imposing such a tax for the fiscal years 1973-1974 and 1974-1975. Appellees, plaintiffs below,
*fn1 paid the taxes and then commenced an action in assumpsit to recover the taxes which they claimed were unlawfully levied. The gravamen of the action is Appellees' contention that they have no taxable occupation. The issue presented to the trial court was whether retired persons and housewives have taxable occupations within the meaning of the Act. That court held that they did not. This appeal followed. *fn2
Cases involving the tax on occupations are numerous but there is no appellate authority in Pennsylvania regarding the specific issue now before us.
When the issue has been considered by trial courts in Pennsylvania, the results have differed.
*fn3
The disposition of the issue before us depends upon the definition of the term "occupation" as it is used in the statute. There is no statutory definition nor is the term defined in the tax resolution now before us. It is true, as School District notes, that the words of a statute are to be construed according to their common and approved usage unless they are technical words or words which have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning. Section 1903 of the Statutory Construction Act of 1972, 1 Pa. C.S. § 1903. As early as 1885, our Pennsylvania Supreme Court held, "An 'occupation' tax is peculiar in its character. It is not a tax upon property, but upon the pursuit which a man follows in order to acquire property and support his family." Banger's Appeal, 109 Pa. 79, 95 (1885) (emphasis added). This definition was quoted with approval in Crosson v. Downingtown Area School District, 440 Pa. 468, 270 A.2d 377 (1970). While School District would have us use dictionary definitions more to their liking, we believe our Supreme Court has defined the term in positive language and that we may adopt it and, indeed, may be bound by it.
Section 1921 of the Statutory Construction Act of 1972, 1 Pa. C.S. § 1921 requires us to construe statutes by ascertaining and effectuating the intent of the General Assembly. In this regard, we note that Section 2 of the Act provides in pertinent part that:
Each local taxing authority may, by ordinance or resolution exempt any person whose total income from all sources is less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per annum from the . . . occupation tax. . . .
The original statute provided for an annual income exemption of $2,000. At the time the case sub judice was at issue before the trial court the exemption was $3,200. The statute was last amended in 1982 to provide for the present $5,000 exemption. Since the law is well settled that the occupation tax is not an income tax, Banger's Appeal, there must be some connectional link between the income exemption provided in the statute and the occupation tax. We are of the opinion that the connectional link is that only income producing occupations are taxable. Such an interpretation would be fully compatible with the judicial definition that an occupation is the pursuit one
*fn4 follows to acquire property or support a family. We conclude that unless one has an income producing occupation, such person cannot be subject to the occupation tax here levied.
Evidence was produced by School District at the trial of this case which would tend to prove that a homemaker has an occupation because it has economic value. No ... | 4,463 | 2,113 | 0.000477 |
warc | 201704 | The opinion of the court was delivered by: O'neill, J.
Plaintiffs M.S. and her parents have filed suit against defendants the Marple Newtown School District and the Marple Newtown Board of School Directors, alleging that defendants violated the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to accommodate M.S.'s educational needs and by retaliating against M.S. and her parents. I now have before me defendants' motion to dismiss and plaintiffs' opposition thereto. For the reasons that follow I will grant defendants' motion.
Plaintiffs allege the following facts in their Complaint. M.S. attended middle school in the Marple Newtown School District. Compl. ¶ 7. When M.S. was in the eighth grade, the School District identified her has a student with a disability and entered into an agreement specifying M.S.'s particular educational needs. Id. ¶ 8. During the same school year, in November of 2007, M.S.'s sister was molested by B.C., a minor who lived near M.S.'s family. Id. ¶ 9. B.C. was arrested in June of 2008 and convicted two months later. Id. ¶ 11. The families of M.S. and B.C. continued to live near each other and tensions between them rose "to a fever pitch." Id. ¶ 12.
M.S. started high school in September of 2008. Id. ¶ 16. Around that time, M.S.'s mother learned that B.C. would be attending the same school as M.S. and that B.C.'s brother, J.C., would be in the same class as M.S. Id. ¶ 17. The presence of B.C. and J.C. reminded M.S. of her sister's molestation and of the animosity between the two families. Id. ¶ 15. Additionally, J.C. harassed M.S. by "staring, leering" and engaging in other disruptive behavior. Id. ¶ 21. B.C. harassed M.S. by "point[ing] cameras at" her in school. Id. M.S.'s academic performance declined and she experienced disciplinary problems at school. Id. ¶ 24.
Starting around August of 2008, M.S.'s mother attempted to persuade school officials to separate M.S. from J.C. and B.C. Id. ¶ 22. She also related her concerns to a local newspaper, who published a story on the situation in April of 2009. Id. But these efforts failed: when M.S. started the tenth grade, she was again placed in the same class as J.C. Id. ¶ 26. She continued to experience academic and disciplinary problems. Id. ¶ 27. A psychotherapist diagnosed M.S. with "anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress syndrome" and recommended that she be separated from J.C. Id. ¶ 28. The School District ignored this recommendation and kept M.S. and J.C. in the same class. Id. ¶ 30.
M.S. started the eleventh grade in September of 2010 and was again assigned to the same class as J.C. Id. ¶¶ 31-32. M.S.'s mother continued trying to convince the School District to separate M.S. and J.C., but to no avail. Id. ¶ 35. M.S.'s physician recommended that M.S. receive homebound instruction in order to avoid J.C. Id. ¶ 36. On December 20, 2010, M.S. "became hysterical because of the situation" and at that point the School District agreed to provide homebound instruction starting the following month. Id. ¶ 37.
At some unspecified time, M.S.'s mother filed complaints with the Marple Newtown Board of School Directors. Id. ¶ 38. The Board referred the complaints to the Delaware County Solicitor, who hired an outside law firm to investigate the matter. Id. ¶ 39. The Solicitor's wife worked at that firm and "played a major role in" the investigation. Id. ¶ 40. Without interviewing M.S., M.S.'s mother, J.C. or B.C., the law firm cleared the School District and the Board of any wrongdoing. Id. ¶ 42. The firm's report, which casts M.S.'s mother "in a bad light," was sent to J.C., B.C. and certain unidentified individuals "who had no need to know about" the details of the investigation. Id. ¶ 56.
The Complaint contains three causes of action. The first is for harassment in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794. Id. ¶¶ 43-52. The second is for retaliation in violation of the same statute. Id. ¶¶ 53-61. The third alleges harassment and retaliation in violation of Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12132. Plaintiffs seek damages, attorney fees and costs and expert witness fees and costs. Id. ¶¶ 52, 61 & 65. Additionally, they seek injunctive relief for their claims under the Rehabilitation Act. Id. ¶ 52 & 61.
Defendants move for dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) or for a more definite statement under Rule 12(e). Defendants argue that the Complaint fails to state a claim and that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act*fn1 requires plaintiffs to exhaust administrative remedies prior to filing suit in federal court.
Defendants proceed under Rule 12(b)(6). But the IDEA's exhaustion requirement is "jurisdictional in nature." W.B. v. Matula, 67 F.3d 484, 493 (3d Cir. 1995), abrogated on other grounds by A.W. v. Jersey City Pub. Sch., 486 F.3d 791 (3d Cir. 2007). If plaintiffs were required to exhaust and failed to do so, the Court would lack subject matter jurisdiction and I would have to dismiss the action under Rule 12(b)(1).
Although the parties devote their briefs to arguing whether the Complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted, they need not file supplemental briefs addressing whether I must dismiss the Complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Instead, I will simply construe defendants' motion as a facial attack on the Complaint under Rule 12(b)(1). Under this approach, I "accept as true . . . the plaintiff's factual allegations." Petruska v. Gannon Univ., 462 F.3d 294, 299 (3d Cir. 2006). In this sense, "the facial attack [under Rule 12(b)(1)] . . . offer[s] similar safeguards to the plaintiff [as a motion under Rule 12(b)(6)]." Mortensen v. First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass'n., 549 F.2d 884, 891 (3d Cir.1977). See also Falzett v. Pocono Mountain Sch. Dist., 150 F. Supp. 2d 699, 701-02 (M.D. Pa. 2001) (construing a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss IDEA claim for failure to exhaust as a facial challenge to subject matter jurisdiction under ... | 6,240 | 2,756 | 0.000375 |
warc | 201704 | I had a baby in 2010. What happens on my tax return?
That adorable little family member may be priceless, but on the tax return, he or she is monetarily worth up to $1000.00. If you had a baby in 2010, don't forget to claim the Child Tax Credit. H&R Block provides information on this credit and what it means for families this year. (Stay tuned, next week we'll have a giveaway and you could receive a free tax preparation package from H&R Block.)
There is also an adoption credit, allowing big savings for families who have brought a child into their home.
H&RBlock.com lists some qualifications for claiming a child as a dependent on your tax return:
"In either situation, 3 conditions must be satisfied:
You are not a dependent of another person. If the child files a joint return, the return is filed only to claim a refund and neither the child nor the child's spouse would have a tax liability if they file separate returns. The child is a U.S. citizen, resident, or national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico for part of the year.
A child is your
qualifying child if all the following additional conditions are satisfied: The child is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister or a descendant of any of them. The child is younger than age 19, a full-time student younger than 24 or a disabled child. If the child is not disabled, the child must be younger than you (and your spouse if you are Married Filing Jointly). The child did not provide more than half of his or her own support. The child must live with you more than half of the year. A newborn child is considered to have lived with you for the entire year." Important information for claiming a child as a dependent
1. Do not forget to apply for a social security number. Many times, hospitals will present this paperwork to parents before they leave the hospital. You'll need to provide your accountant or financial planner with the number, or include it on your tax return if preparing tax returns yourself.
2. Realize that the child tax credit may be different based upon your income.
3. According to the Internal Revenue Website, the child must be claimed as a dependent on your federal return, and the child must be under the age of 19.
I've gone back to work and have started using daycare. Are there some tax breaks that I can claim when I file?
If you're working while your child is in some else's care, you may be eligible for the Child Care Tax Credit. One of the most overlooked tax deductions, a credit reduces a tax bill dollar for dollar. Parents who miss out on this could be paying an unnecessary chunk of change.
A couple of tips from Smart Money, by the Wall Street Journal:
"The credit can be claimed only for childcare expenses that facilitate your going to work. If you're married and file jointly, you can generally claim the credit only if your spouse also works or goes to school full-time for at least five months during the year."
"For 2010, the credit is based on up to $3000 of eligible expenses to care for one child under 13 or up to $6,000 for two more. If your child turns 13 during the year, only expenses before his birthday count."
More facts from IRS website list of Top Ten Facts About the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
* Some of this tax information is courtesy of H&R Block. This post is for informational purposes only. Parenting Squad and its authors do not provide any legal or financial advice. | 3,478 | 1,663 | 0.000606 |
warc | 201704 | I ran across a great article on Real Clear Politics that I wanted to share. The headline read “Is Illegal Immigration moral?” In the first few paragraphs Victor Davis Hanson broke down the normal arguments from both sides.
When I read the following paragraph I knew that victor understands the illegal immigration issue.
….is the catalyst the self-interested professional Latino lobby in politics and academia that sees a steady stream of impoverished Latin American nationals as a permanent victimized constituency, empowering and showcasing elite self-appointed spokesmen such as themselves?
As soon as I read this I started imagining the faces of many who claim to be the gifted spokesmen for the illegal immigrants. We seem to have many self-appointed leaders with nothing but self-promotion and power at heart within the community.
Victor’s main points where in the last half of his article he brought up four issues that I thought where good and I want to share them with you.
First, there is the larger effect on the sanctity of a legal system. If a guest ignores the law — and thereby often must keep breaking more laws — should citizens also have the right to similarly pick and choose which statutes they find worthy of honoring and which are too bothersome? Once it is deemed moral for the impoverished to cross a border without a passport, could not the same arguments of social justice be used for the poor of any status not to report earned income or even file a 1040 form?
If we ignore the word “illegal” in the phrase illegal immigration, and we allow them free entrance and access to all our nation has, then at the same time hold “We the People” to all our laws – this is wrong. My family doesn’t have a large household income. We pay the bill’s, that’s about it. Can I tell my employer that I can no longer afford to pay taxes – please pay me in cash? Does being an Illegal Immigrant in this nation gives you more rights and freedoms then being a legal US citizen?
Second, what is the effect of mass illegal immigration on impoverished U.S. citizens? Does anyone care? When 10 million to 15 million aliens are here illegally, where is the leverage for the American working poor to bargain with employers? If it is deemed ethical to grant in-state tuition discounts to illegal-immigrant students, is it equally ethical to charge three times as much for out-of-state, financially needy American students — whose federal government usually offers billions to subsidize state colleges and universities? If foreign nationals are afforded more entitlements, are there fewer for U.S. citizens?
When I first moved to Texas from Minnesota, I, like my older brothers, worked with wood. I used to love how we could take a piece of wood and turn it into something useful. It was fun. But when I first arrived in San Antonio I found out that I would have to work for minimum wage, and since I was here alone, I had to support myself. I could not do that and live without government help, so I moved on to find something that no one else wanted to do so that I could make a living.
Now that I am getting a little older (not that old), I have my home, a family, and my oldest daughter is getting ready for college. Once again I am shafted because I did the right thing and I will have to pay more for college because we are legal citizens. It does not pay to be a legal US citizen.
Third, consider the moral ramifications on legal immigration — the traditional great strength of the American nation. What are we to tell the legal immigrant from Oaxaca who got a green card at some cost and trouble, or who, once legally in the United States, went through the lengthy and expensive process of acquiring citizenship? Was he a dupe to dutifully follow our laws?
And given the current precedent, if a million soon-to-be-impoverished Greeks, 2 million fleeing North Koreans, or 5 million starving Somalis were to enter the United States illegally and en masse, could anyone object to their unlawful entry and residence? If so, on what legal, practical or moral grounds?
Tell all those in need to come here legally if they can, but if they cannot, they can come through our southern border, break our laws and live free with more benefits then they would have gotten by doing it the legal way.
Fourth, examine the morality of remittances. It is deemed noble to send billions of dollars back to families and friends struggling in Latin America. But how is such a considerable loss of income made up? Are American taxpayers supposed to step in to subsidize increased social services so that illegal immigrants can afford to send billions of dollars back across the border? What is the morality of that equation in times of recession? Shouldn’t illegal immigrants at least try to buy health insurance before sending cash back to Mexico?
People come here illegally, make cash under the table send most of the money back and live off “We the People.” It’s my understanding that what drives Mexico is US cash being sent back. They send their money back, then get sick and go to a tax payer funded hospital, get free health care and then we foot the bill. Now we have the government taking it a step further and taking over the health care industry which will eventually destroy it.
Illegal immigration is wrong no matter how you look at it, but some have a moral character too weak to stand up and say anything, so we allow it to happen and we allow those of the Muslim faith that want us all dead to come here through our southern border, and instead of stopping the threat of terrorism here, we molest the American public whenever they try to board an aircraft. Once again it does not pay to be a legal US citizen.
We need to secure our borders and enforce our laws if you want to fix these problems. It’s easy take away the incentive a majority of them are coming here for. Most do not come here to break our laws. They come here because the country of Mexico is corrupt and it’s holding their people back. Mexico is full of great people that work hard and love their families. All they want to do is live but their government is so corrupt they can’t pull themselves up, so they flee the nation they love.
So do you want to really stop illegal immigration? Mexico needs to get cleaned up. There is no reason with all their wonderful human and natural resources they have that they live like that. The Mexican people need to start cleaning house. “We the People” cannot do it for them. | 6,629 | 3,048 | 0.000336 |
warc | 201704 | Toronto: Exercising in water is equally good for health as you do on land, says a study. The study found that people who used an immersible ergocycle, basically an exercise bike in a pool, had just about the equivalent workout to using a typical stationary bike. "If you can't train on land, you can train in the water and have the same benefits in terms of improving aerobic fitness," said Martin Juneau, director of prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute. He said people might assume that exercising in the water can't be as valuable as exercising on land. Because of the resistance of the water when you move, it doesn't seem like you can work as hard. This new study indicates otherwise, according to a statement of Montreal Heart Institute. Healthy participants did exercise tests on both the land and in water cycling machines (with water up to chest level). They increased their intensity minute by minute until exhaustion. Juneau reported that the maximal oxygen consumption which tells you whether it was a good workout was almost the same using both types of cycles. His colleague Mathieu Gayda, clinical exercise physiologist at the Montreal Heart Institute, said: "Exercise during water immersion may be even more efficient from a cardiorespiratory standpoint."Another finding, says Juneau, is that the heart rate of the participants was a little lower in the water. "You pump more blood for each beat, so don't need as many heart beats, because the pressure of the water on your legs and lower body makes the blood return more effectively to the heart. That's interesting data that hasn't been studied thoroughly before," said Juneau. These findings were presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. (Agencies) | 1,741 | 913 | 0.0011 |
warc | 201704 | This file is also available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Introduction
THE CLEAN AIR ACT of 1970 (CAA) is broadly understood as a pivotal moment in the history of U.S. environmental policy, entailing a radical shift away from an earlier common law regime that was operated piecemeal by local and state governments. The CAA superceded these decentralized approaches with federal, uniform, and proactive law. But most importantly, it is thought to embody a shift in priorities away from an earlier deference to industrial concerns toward a new and uncompromising commitment to the protection of public health.
The act's absolutist reputation rests primarily on the ambitiousness of the promise it encodes in a central provision mandating the promulgation of primary ambient air-quality standards.
1 In setting these standards, the act requires the EPA to establish maximum permitted levels of regulated pollutants no higher than what the protection of public health against pollution-induced disease demands. These standards exemplify a broader category of regulatory interventions based on scientific assessment of hazards from pollution exposure, frequently termed "risk-based" or "health-based" standards. In addition, the CAA employs a secondary regulatory framework that sets standards based on the feasibility of pollution mitigation, termed "technology standards." Whereas technology standards are inherently based on feasibility and cost, these considerations may not be taken into account in setting risk standards.
Terms for technology standards include "Best Available Technology" (BAT), "Best Practicable Means" (BPM), "Maximum Achievable Control Technology" (MACT), and many others. All of these approaches employ the similar core logic of setting standards with reference to the pollution reduction capabilities of specific technological means. The standards can take the form of a requirement to install particular pollution-control devices or employ other mitigation measures (prescriptive standards). More commonly, however, these standards impose a percentage reduction in emission that is known to be achievable through technological measures of demonstrated feasibility (performance standards).
2 In the latter case, sources are free to employ alternative means, as long as they afford pollution reduction at least equal to the level of effectiveness that can be achieved by the technology serving as the basis for the standard.
I argue that technology and risk standards represent the current incarnation of alternative responses to the regulatory dilemma posed by air pollution since the beginning of industrialization. By the mid-nineteenth century, the forerunners of the two current regulatory approaches had become institutionalized. In Germany, standard-setting was guided by technological feasibility and was implemented through proactive licensing processes conducted by administrative agencies within a civil law framework. Under English common law, the organizing principle of air pollution regulation was the amelioration of proven harms within a reactive system that depended upon judicial resolution of nuisance disputes. By contrast to the German approach, English common law in principle imposed an absolute duty to eliminate injury from pollution ("absolute liability" in legal parlance). As such, technology and risk standards are planted in the different legal traditions of the civil law and the common law respectively.
In place of the predominant risk-based standards within the CAA, technology standards are the European instrument of choice.
3 This book argues that the continuity between risk standards and nuisance law, or conversely, the incompatibility of technology standards with common law principles, is key to the divergent evolution of the European and American regimes. Differences in styles of implementation follow from the two regimes' core standard-setting rationales, as well. American air pollution regulation accords a much greater role to scientific proof of harm, quantitative risk assessment, and frequent judicial oversight than do the corresponding European processes.
The limited inroads made by technology standards into the U.S. air quality regime have drawn sharp political and scholarly criticism on two grounds: their purported economic inefficiency,
4 and a more profound challenge that they pose to the democratic legitimacy of these standards. 5 The resonance of this latter normative charge in American political discourse is perhaps best reflected in the frequent substitution of the term "command and control"--a term with distinct military, and even authoritarian connotations--for the more neutral "technology standards." 6
The logic that underpins this democratic critique is not self-evident. In this book I argue that current skepticism regarding the democratic legitimacy of technology standards stems from a long tradition in America of resisting civil-law-inspired reforms as potentially despotic. Since the early days of the United States, such reform proposals were encumbered by their association with the absolutist continental state. By the end of the nineteenth century, against increased efforts by progressives to implement continental-modeled social legislation, opponents turned to the claim that common law strictures delimited the scope of the police power in America as a matter of constitutional law. This conflict came to a head at the turn of the twentieth century, in what has come to be known as the
Lochner era. Under the predominant view, the question was resolved with the New Deal, settling both the constitutionality and the legitimacy of the administrative state. Democratic critiques of technology standards suggest that late-nineteenth-century divisions on the congruence between continental models of administration and American political values remain with us today. Furthermore, I argue that these common law ideas are of crucial import in understanding why American and continental approaches to environmental regulation evolved along separate tracks.
For the purpose of this discussion, the relevant distinction between the common-law and civil-law traditions is their alternative conceptions of the scope of the state's regulatory authority under the police power. The common law tradition limits that power to interventions whose means are closely tailored to legitimate governmental ends, and accords judges a final say on this fit. Under this view, the traditional parameters of nuisance law circumscribe the regulatory authority of the state itself. By contrast, the civil law tradition, working from assumptions of absolute legislative sovereignty, imposes no similar means-ends rationality constraints.
Means-ends tailoring in the context of air pollution implies the crafting of regulations that are both necessary and sufficient to protect against harm. The purported beneficial outcome of this formula is the avoidance of imposition of sacrifice on neighbors through underregulation, or on firms through overregulation. Like their nuisance-based predecessors, risk standards accord with this commitment for close tailoring of regulation by promising complete protection against all scientifically proven risk. By contrast, since technology standards are based on the feasibility of mitigation, they implicitly acknowledge the likelihood that some pollution that is harmful but infeasible to mitigate may well go unabated. At the same time, by hinging intervention on feasibility rather than scientific proof of harm, they similarly allow for the possibility that mitigation costs beyond those strictly required for public health may be imposed on firms.
Risk standards formally eschew explicit balancing of interests in favor of precisely tailored intervention. Nevertheless, in practice both risk and technology-based systems engage in processes of balancing economic versus environmental interests, though they differ in the method and explicitness with which they carry out this unavoidable function. Risk standards resemble nuisance law in their mechanism for balancing interests. Rather than injecting these considerations at the stage of crafting a remedy, they implicitly balance as part of the process of establishing a legal injury or the existence of risk to begin with. This approach differs from technology-based mechanisms in two principal ways. First, by strictly circumscribing legally recognized harms, it tends to hide the sacrifice it imposes in the form of unremedied negative impacts. Second, it shifts the decision-making authority ultimately empowered to exercise discretion away from agencies and toward courts. Risk-based standards, much like nuisance law, make judges final arbiters of the adequacy of the proof of harm on which the agency based its intervention. Technology standards are subject to judicial review as well, but in their review judges look only to the practicability of the prescribed means; the legality of regulation does not hinge on the (judicially assessed) nexus between means and ends.
This book argues that contemporary critiques of the democratic legitimacy of technology standards accord with the longstanding common law tenet that, absent judicial oversight, governments inherently tend to abuse their power. This idea, deeply rooted in the American legal tradition, has exerted a powerful influence over the development of U.S. environmental regulation. The book points to the imprint of this common law ideology in the behavior and rhetoric of agencies, courts, and interest groups on both the business and environmental side. This is not to argue for any manner of deterministic causal connection between common law ideologies and the regulatory patterns I identify, or to suggest that raw political power is not at play. Across the junctures that I analyze, politics, money, and other influences mattered to regulatory outcomes. But since the beginning of industrialization, powerful interests lined up on both sides of the issue. Unlike advocates of technology interventions, however, opponents could appeal to deeply seated notions regarding the unreasonableness of such means-based regulatory approaches. As such, the common-law-inspired ground rules of the contemporary American policy debate encumber advocates of technology-based regulation with greater political burdens, while they lend rhetorical traction to the arguments of opponents of such intervention. The resulting uphill battle may sometimes be won, as the presence of some technology standards within the Clean Air Act (and other environmental statutes) suggests. Notwithstanding these instances, risk-based standards have won the day in U.S. air quality regulation.
It may be argued that the predominance of risk standards in U.S. environmental regulation needs no legal-ideological explanation; many analysts would choose to highlight the purported economic inefficiency of the technology-based alternative. Departing from the prevailing view, this book contends that standards that begin with the question of what is feasible--as opposed to a determination of the exact level of mitigation that is necessary and sufficient to protect health--more forthrightly acknowledge and cope with the realities of both scientific uncertainty and the impossibility of elimination of all risk from pollution exposure. I seek to contribute a historical perspective to this debate, which has largely centered around present-day empirical and (more commonly) theoretical analysis.
The historical evidence presented in this book establishes, over centuries, the repeated failure of harm-tailored air pollution interventions (whether nuisance- or risk-based) to spur deployment of available and feasible mitigation technologies. From this foundation, the book offers two interrelated arguments: the first pertains to reforms needed in domestic pollution policy to further environmental protection goals; and the second identifies distinctive characteristics of American regulatory governance that distinguish the United States as the quintessential "common law state."
In this connection it is important to highlight relevant differences and similarities between the evolution of the common law tradition in the United States and England. As will be subsequently discussed, the impact of the common law ideologies can be discerned in historical and contemporary patterns of air pollution regulation in Britain as well as in the United States. Nevertheless, there likewise exist important differences between the evolution and impact of the common law in the British and the American cases. Most importantly, England lacks a written constitution and the institution of constitutional judicial review. Instead its common law tradition made room for both parliamentary sovereignty and an unwritten constitutional tradition of limitations on the scope of political power. This difference partially accounts for why a technology-based air pollution regime successfully developed in late-nineteenth-century England, under the Alkali Act, but not in the United States. Any proposal for a technology-based statutory regime in the United States akin to the English Alkali Act would have come against
Lochner-era limitations on the scope of the police power. By contrast, in England there could be no constitutional impediments to this manner of reform and hence fewer footholds for opponents of this manner of legislation.
In the resilience of nuisance law principles within American air pollution regulation, the book finds evidence of the continuing hold of common law ideologies on the contemporary American administrative state. These ideologies are evident in the Supreme Court's takings jurisprudence
7 as well as its recent lines of decisions on legislative record review. 8 But well beyond their embodiment in Supreme Court doctrine, American doubts about the fit between democracy and the administrative state pervade policy-making at all governmental levels.
The following chapters interweave three themes: the continuities between contemporary American air pollution policy and nuisance law, the environmental and distributive consequences of the ostensibly absolutist commitments of nuisance / risk law, and the common law roots of American conceptions of technology standards as undemocratic instruments of "command and control."
Chapter 1 compares the statutory mandates and styles of implementation of contemporary air pollution regimes in the United States and Germany. The chapter contrasts the German regime's pervasive reliance on partial but uniform technology-based standards with the Clean Air Act's far more ambitious, but ultimately fictitious, commitment to the complete elimination of risk from air pollution.
Chapter 2 finds in contemporary critiques of the democracy of technology standards an expression of centuries-old beliefs in the irrationality, and hence illegitimacy, of regulatory processes that begin from assessments of feasibility rather than judgments on proper regulatory goals. The chapter focuses on the role of this assumption in the Supreme Court's reasoning in
Lochner v. New York (1905) and--seventy-five years later--in its decision to invalidate a technology-based benzene rule issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The ostensible commitment of the 1970 Clean Air Act to eliminate all harm from pollution recalls the absolute liability doctrines that nuisance law has brought to air pollution since preindustrial times. Chapter 3 follows the evolution of this body of English doctrine, and how and why demands for scientific proof that the pollution caused particular disease (as opposed to "mere" discomfort or aesthetic annoyance) entered the common law. I argue that absolute liability was a rule directed at the separation of incompatible land uses in a preindustrial era during which such separation was feasible and preferable to incremental mitigation. Separation of pollution sources was no longer a feasible solution in the dense cities spawned by industrialization. But the absolute liability rule continued to serve the interests of landowners who sought to protect their estates and farmlands against encroaching industrialization. The result was a common law regime that adhered in principle to an absolute liability rule, but tended, in practice, to exclude urban pollution from the realm of legally cognizable injuries entitled to such complete protection. This feat was accomplished by raising the evidentiary thresholds placed before plaintiffs in industrial areas by requiring proof of a link between air pollution from specific sources and particular diseases. Without such scientific proof, the symptoms and concerns associated with industrial fumes were dismissed as "trifling inconveniences" of the type to which residents of industrial areas implicitly consent by dint of their very presence in these locales. Rather than acknowledging the pollution sacrifices that it imposed, this regime defined them away as a matter of law. A primary outcome of this legal fiction was a systematic failure to implement available, albeit incremental, means of pollution mitigation. By 1863, this failure prompted Parliament to create a supplementary technology-based administrative regime geared at the control of noxious vapors, under the Alkali Act. The United States, however, imported only the common-law-based side of this bifurcated regime.
As chapter 4 argues, tensions evident throughout the nineteenth century between "continental-police" and "common law" visions of the emergent American administrative state came to a head during the constitutional crisis of the
Lochner era. But the view that a continental-styled focus on available means cut against American understandings of liberty both predated and outlived the Lochner court. The chapter recounts the various doctrinal steps leading to Lochner in order to trace how and why understandings of the constitutionality of regulatory interference in the market came to depend on judicial assessments of the adequacy of legislatures' proffered proof of the "nexus" between regulatory means and constitutionally legitimate ends.
Returning to air pollution, chapter 5 relies on analysis of nineteenth-and twentieth-century landmark decisions from Pennsylvania to examine whether and when the American nuisance regime spurred deployment of available pollution reduction means. The chapter finds that for the most part, judges looked to the locale's surrounding conditions, rather than the feasibility of mitigation, in deciding on the liability of defendants and the appropriateness of injunctions. An important but apparently rare exception was the emergence around the turn of the nineteenth century of quasi-administrative Best Available Technology (BAT) injunctions that, while adhering to the absolutist shell of nuisance law, were geared at the implementation of partial pollution reductions, even in industrial locales.
By the early twentieth century, a portion of the air pollution problem--the control of industrial smoke--had been delegated to administrative, rather than strictly judicial, control. This move in principle enabled pursuit of incremental implementation of pollution mitigation measures and public goals beyond balancing the interests of plaintiffs and defendants. Chapter 6 explores the history of smoke regulation in the contexts of the United States and England (where it was not covered by the Alkali Act). Both countries avoided a technology-based regime of the type that Germany had applied to smoke since the mid-nineteenth century, and thereby limited their effective capacity for smoke abatement.
Chapters 7 and 8 move from visible smoke to invisible fumes, examining the regime governing contemporary responses to localized air pollution, or "odors." The "odor" terminology conveys subjective connotations of purely aesthetic annoyance to the problem of localized fumes. Chapter 7 examines the assumptions and consequences that follow from this problem definition. As the chapter shows, this problem definition played an important role in the EPA's 1980 decision to leave the regulation of localized pollution of this sort to the common-law-framed public nuisance regime. This decision came notwithstanding the agency's own failure to control the air toxics that are often at the center of "odor" pollution disputes. The consequences of this decision for the regulation of foundry fumes are the subject of chapter 8.
Building on this historical and empirical foundation, chapter 9 argues for reforms that, following the European model, would forgo the tailoring of interventions to proven levels of harm, in favor of a requirement that the extent of pollution reduction be pegged to technological and economic feasibility and be imposed predictably across all firms in an industrial category. Basing interventions on feasibility rather than mitigation of proven harms implicitly acknowledges the possibility of both underregulation and overregulation, relative to pollution's health risks. Yet history teaches the systematic impossibility of the kind of precise tailoring of interventions that air pollution regulation in the common law tradition demands. In the regulation of air pollutants and other dangerous chemicals, the search for perfection has been the enemy of the good.
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warc | 201704 | Like nature itself, modern economic life is driven by relentless competition and unbridled selfishness. Or is it? Drawing on converging evidence from neuroscience, social science, biology, law, and philosophy,
Moral Markets makes the case that modern market exchange works only because most people, most of the time, act virtuously. Competition and greed are certainly part of economics, but Moral Markets shows how the rules of market exchange have evolved to promote moral behavior and how exchange itself may make us more virtuous. Examining the biological basis of economic morality, tracing the connections between morality and markets, and exploring the profound implications of both, Moral Markets provides a surprising and fundamentally new view of economics--one that also reconnects the field to Adam Smith's position that morality has a biological basis. Moral Markets, the result of an extensive collaboration between leading social and natural scientists, includes contributions by neuroeconomist Paul Zak; economists Robert H. Frank, Herbert Gintis, Vernon Smith (winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics), and Bart Wilson; law professors Oliver Goodenough, Erin O'Hara, and Lynn Stout; philosophers William Casebeer and Robert Solomon; primatologists Sarah Brosnan and Frans de Waal; biologists Carl Bergstrom, Ben Kerr, and Peter Richerson; anthropologists Robert Boyd and Michael Lachmann; political scientists Elinor Ostrom and David Schwab; management professor Rakesh Khurana; computational science and informatics doctoral candidate Erik Kimbrough; and business writer Charles Handy. Reviews:
"
Moral Markets challenges the 'homo economicus' rational choice framework of mainstream economics with 15 chapters contributed by a team researching the nature of values in economic thinking. Zak has compiled what may become a starting point for further work on this topic, given the volume's scope and creative insights. After philosophical reflections from Aristotle to Adam Smith on the origin and nature of values, the readings focus on evolutionary processes that form values like fairness and reciprocity. . . . [T]his collection is important in helping to reconsider the value-free claims of economics." --J. Halteman, Wheaton College, for CHOICE
"The book's span is huge, taking in cooperation among chimpanzees, the status of moral emotions, and the role of contract law in encouraging trustworthy behaviour, as well as areas more familiar to economists such as the effect of incentive schemes on employee effort. . . .
Moral Markets is an interesting and valuable book, addressing important and under-researched questions." --Joe Perkins, World Economics
"
Moral Markets is a fascinating indicator in its own right of trends in thinking about markets. . . . This . . . should be part of strategic thinking for any senior manager, in library work and beyond. This is also an attractive addition to the economics and business ethics shelves of any academic library." --Stuart Hannabuss, Library Review
"
Moral Markets is challenging not only because it brings to bear a wide variety of scientific fields of inquiry but also because it is willing to buck widely held assumptions about markets and what human nature really is. By drawing the best available science, it manages to offer a sense both of objectivity and of hope that perhaps we are not as nasty and brutish as we sometimes seem." --Ray Bert, Civil Engineering
More reviews
Table of Contents
Link: Subject Areas: | 3,521 | 1,793 | 0.000561 |
warc | 201704 | Here’s a checklist of some of the basics every small business owner should take care of to give their website a leg up over their competitors.
Social media is a great way to engage with your audience, but what works for every business and audience will be different. This post will give you some general ideas for improving your social media presence and your posts in such a way that will increase audience engagement.
Live Chat is commonly associated with customer service, but what many people do not know is that it is also a great sales and marketing tool. Live chat can help existing customers, new customers, and potential customers, and when leveraged properly, can drive more sales through leads. Live Chat has the power to provide a wide range of benefits for your business. Below are six of the many benefits of Live Chat and how to make the most of them for your small business.
In this age of digital media and online research, blogging for your business is a statistically proven tool for building your brand voice, strengthening your online presence, and attracting more customers. However, as content becomes more and more accessible, it is important to know how to make your blog stand out from the crowd and focus in on the right people. The tips in this post will provide some guidelines on how to improve your blog and how to get more blog readers.
When it comes to taking your business online, you know your stuff. But there is still something missing, something that keeps you from getting more leads, more traffic and more success. You’ve hit a marketing plateau! Whatever the reason, it sounds like your digital marketing efforts could use a boost! Here’s how…
Your business’s presence on Instagram can promote customer loyalty and high conversion rates while displaying what makes your brand unique. The platform caters to what audiences want: quick and easy messages, and with a per-follower engagement rate 58 times higher than Facebook, Instagram is the perfect platform to develop a solid presence on. We break down five content strategies to attract customers to your business, develop a loyal following and more…
As a business owner, it’s important to ask yourself, “Am I taking the right steps to track my business online and target my customers effectively?” If the answer was “not really,” “I think so” or “ummm..”, then you may be missing out on a higher volume of potential business. In this blog, we help you determine how to pinpoint your audience and leverage your data to drive leads and turn it into new streams of revenue.
On average, small and medium sized businesses spend about $400 / month on marketing. During this time, you’re constantly staying up-to-date on the latest market trends and adjusting your SEO, pay-per-click, and retargeting to match. But how much time and thought have you actually put into your logo design, and what it means to your customers? As you work through the process, keep the following design elements in mind….
While the link between TLC’s hit show “Say Yes to The Dress” and digital marketing seems a little hazy at first, the underlying philosophy CAN help you understand and improve your presence online.
We break down every question that every bridal (and digital marketing) salesperson seems to ask and what they can mean to you…
Social media is a great way to connect with our businesses, as well as potential future employees. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ each offer great ways to engage with followers, develop relationships, and grow your business brand. Blog posts, white papers, case studies, and how-to’s make for engaging content your social followers can enjoy… | 3,782 | 1,787 | 0.000579 |
warc | 201704 | When plans are made to achieve DoD-wide standardization of mail communications, provisions must be made for enlarging what are relatively simple features of commodity e-mail to extensions for the large domain of “collaboration” systems. Achieving such interoperability requires a standardization of software and communication transmission formats.
The leading vendors in the existing e-mail and collaboration systems are Microsoft and IBM, though there are at least sixty more firms. There is a large variety of software that is incompatible even across vendor’s own offerings.
Microsoft offers the following: Microsoft Exchange Server and the Microsoft Outlook client; Microsoft Windows Live messenger, office web apps, sky-drive, mail; Microsoft Live Meeting; Microsoft Office Live Communications Server; Microsoft Office desktop tools for collaboration; Microsoft Project Server; Microsoft SharePoint Server and Microsoft SharePoint Foundation; SharePoint Workspace, desktop collaboration application; Microsoft Team Foundation Server, developer collaboration platform.
IBM offers the following: IBM Lotus Notes and Domino; IBM Lotus QuickPlace; IBM Lotus Team Workspace; IBM Quickr; IBM Lotus QuickPlace; IBM Workplace-branded products; IBM Lotus Sametime.
SUMMARY
The task of specifying how DoD should proceed with unification of its cross-service mail communications is more complex than just choosing a standard software suite for e-mail. The mail applications currently in place have already built-in a variety of enhancements to perform some of the collaboration functions.
Though there are other offerings than Microsoft or IBM, such as Google Apps, the task of coming up with an all-inclusive approach to the DoD unified communications now appears to be a formidable challenge. | 1,811 | 872 | 0.001162 |
warc | 201704 | The Essential Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Love
Have you ever found yourself calling your partner repeatedly even though they have asked you to stop? Does your partner sulk, pout and pick a fight whenever you want to meet up with friends for a drink? Perhaps the fights have escalated and you now are being shoved around.
The Essential Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Love: Break Free of Unhealthy Bonds and Open the Way to True Love by Dr. Monique Belton and Eileen Bailey may help you recognize the unhealthy relationship you are in and show you ways to correct the issues. Although many books on relationship tout the ability to fix your relationship, Overcoming Obsessive Love acknowledges that it is carving the path but that the couple must do the work that it describes. Overcoming Obsessive Love is for the obsessive lover and his or her partner. Broken into five parts, the book devotes its focus to explaining obsessive love and showing how each partner plays a role in the unhealthy cycles typically found in these relationships. Although the obsessive love relationship is complex, Belton and Bailey attempt to address the various factors that play a role for each partner. The book also has extra pieces of information throughout each chapter to assist: Definitions of terms that are relative to the topic Tips and ideas to develop a healthier outlook on love Warnings that signal an unhealthy lover or relationship Case studies relative to the chapter discussion Facts and statistics
In addition, each chapter ends with key points for the reader to focus on.
The first part of the book focuses on defining obsessive love. Belton and Bailey break down the obsessive love relationship, describing how it develops, why it might develop, and relating it to social norms. They also break apart myths typically associated with obsessive relationships, such as “all obsessive love relationships include physical violence.”
The second and third parts of the book address the obsessive lover and the partner of the obsessive lover respectively. Each part provides a questionnaire at the beginning to help determine if the reader fits the profile of one of these partners. After describing the typical traits of these characters,
Overcoming Obsessive Love dives deeply into the behaviors that are associated to the role in the relationship. For the obsessive lover, this could be self-punishment, anger, self-recriminations, or dysfunction in every day, such as missing work to check on the whereabouts of their partner. The partner, though, could be participating in behavior that is enabling or contributing to their obsessive lover. If the partner is codependent, the obsessive love may be helping them fill a need to take care of someone else. On the other hand, the partner could be sending mixed signals to their obsessive lover, such as setting a boundary with their partner but then not holding up to it. The third part goes on to give suggestions on how to break off the relationship, manage finances, and handle the situation if there are children involved.
Part 4 is where the book begins to bring all of the initial information together to really assist a couple in breaking out of their cycle of obsessive love. It begins by focusing on the self-image of the partners, encouraging each to look at them deeply and address the issues that are encouraging the unhealthy cycle. Belton and Bailey include a questionnaire for each partner: for the obsessive lover, it focuses on the self-image; for the partner, it focuses on accessing their strengths and weaknesses. The chapter encourages the partners that they have the power to change their self-image and includes strategies, such as visualization, to do this. Therapy and counseling for the individuals and the couple as a whole is encouraged as well.
The next two chapters are devoted to the individuals, providing information to the obsessive lover on how to break the cycle of obsessive behaviors and assisting the partner with setting boundaries and making changes. The last chapter is the meat of this part of the book, though. In it, there are self-help exercises for both partners to assist them in creating a new self-image and growing out of the cycle built into the relationship. The partners are encouraged to use logs and journals of their behavior in order to identify patterns, use positive speak to combat the negative thoughts that have become habit forming, and to lean on friends and family for support. The chapter also encourages affirmation. “Affirmations can help you cope with negative thoughts and fears. You can say them silently or aloud. The more you repeat affirmations, the more you believe them.”
Finally, the book ends with a focus on what to do if the relationship becomes dangerous, either through stalking or abuse. It provides information on how to protect yourself from stalking, what to do if you are being stalked (i.e. filing a police report), and how to use the law to protect yourself. It addresses the various types of abuse a partner may experience and describes how each of these will affect the partner.
Overcoming Obsessive Love addresses many, if not all, of the key points within an obsessive love relationship. Having experienced such a relationship, I wish that I had this book handy. Although it may be considered heavy on the technical aspect of relationships, Belton and Bailey are sure to create a focus on the emotional load that comes with being in the cycle of obsessive love. It is easy to appreciate the intricacies within the book because the obsessive love relationship is certainly one of great complexity.
However, readers may find that the final part, which addresses a relationship turned dangerous, may not be enough. It seems that if the authors felt the need to address a dangerous relationship separately in its own part of the book, would it not warrant more focus than a mere 50 pages? In addition, the rest of the book is strong in hitting the relationship from two sides, both technically and emotionally. The final part of the book, though, focuses much more on what to do and less so on the emotional drain that this may have on the partner experiencing the danger. The authors also fail to address adequately the emotional fallout after finally ending a dangerous relationship. It seems that this neglect may leave the reader feeling let down and unsure of how to continue if they are in such a relationship. They may be left wondering how to pick up the pieces once their life has been torn down so far.
Overall, though,
Overcoming Obsessive Love is a great resource for both parties involved in an obsessive love relationship. The book discusses the background necessary to understand what has led to the obsessive love and the roles that each partner plays. Providing the couple techniques for addressing their needs and issues within the relationship gives them a strong point from which to start healing and correcting the obsessive love cycle. The Essential Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Love By Monique Belton, PhD and Eileen Bailey Alpha: June 7, 2011 Paperback, 320 pages $16.95 Your Recommendation:(if you've read this book) Want to buy the book or learn more? Check out the book on Amazon.com! APA Reference
Comeaux Lee, C. (2016). The Essential Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Love.
Psych Central. Retrieved on January 22, 2017, from https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-essential-guide-to-overcoming-obsessive-love/ | 7,501 | 3,134 | 0.000321 |
warc | 201704 | Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC52460
Title: Unveiling the History of Seized Plutonium Through Nuclear Forensic Investigation Authors: MAYER Klaus; WALLENIUS Maria; HEDBERG Magnus; LUETZENKIRCHEN Klaus Citation: RADIOCHIMICA ACTA vol. 97 p. 261-264 Publisher: OLDENBOURG VERLAG Publication Year: 2009 JRC N°: JRC52460 ISSN: 0033-8230 URI: http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC52460 DOI: 10.1524/ract.2009.1608 Type: Articles in periodicals and books Abstract: Summary. Illicit incidents involving nuclear or other radioactive materials and the threat of nuclear terrorism are reasons for serious concern. Since 1993 more than 1300 incidents have been reported to the IAEA Illicit Trafficking Database. Only a small number of cases involve plutonium or plutonium containing materials. However, these cases are attributed particular attention in view of the proliferation aspects and of the radiotoxicity associated with plutonium. Efforts focus on prevention, detection and response to cases of illicit trafficking of nuclear material. If the place of theft or diversion of the material can be identified, then measures of safeguards and physical protection can be implemented to prevent future thefts. Nuclear Forensic Science aims at providing clues on the origin and intended use of nuclear or other radioactive material involved in illicit incidents. The paper provides a brief description of the nuclear forensic methodology and describes in detail the challenges associated with age determination of plutonium materials. JRC Institute: Nuclear Safety and Security
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warc | 201704 | The international company IBM -through IBM Citizenship area- developed in 2010 the
Smarter Cities Challenge, in order to help 100 cities over a three-year period to address some of the critical challenges facing cities.
Cities are selected through a competitive online process after identifying top priorities for collaboration with IBM, such as economic development, public transportation, education, health, sustainability or urban planning. This year,
33 cities were selected to become part of the Challenge, and receive consulting from IBM experts, according to the official site: “During immersive, 3-week engagements, teams of five to six experts in a range of disciplines work in their host cities to deliver detailed recommendations addressing key urban issues identified by local elected officials and other stakeholders.”
Of the 33 cities that were selected around the world, 4 of them are in
Latin America: •Curitiba, Brazil •Medellin, Colombia •Rosario, Argentina •Toluca, Mexico
In 2011, only 3 Latin American cities were part of the
Smarter Cities Challenge: Antofagasta, Chile; Guadalajara, Mexico and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Many cities around the world, struggle everyday with issues as offer to their citizens access to technology (lack of technology infrastructure) or engage with their communities (civic engagement), and that’s what IBM is trying to improve with this program, and give every city a new perspective about the use of technology.
The Smarter Cities Challenge, now in its second year, is IBM’s single largest philanthropic initiative, valued at US $50 million.
According to IBM:
“The cities that have been selected are all different, but they had one clear similarity: the strong personal commitment by the city’s leadership to put in place the changes needed to help the city make smarter decisions” | 1,902 | 1,009 | 0.001028 |
warc | 201704 | If you’re like many individuals, financial freedom is high in your list of lifetime achievements. Owning an apartment building is a highly proven way to swiftly achieve this goal. The good news is that current economic conditions support making an apartment building investment your road to riches.
This article explains eight top reasons you want to make an apartment building your real estate investment of choice.
A Passive Investment
1. Typically, you buy multifamily apartment buildings with what is known as a “non-recourse loan”. This means the loan is only secured by the real estate investment and fully depends on the property income to repay the loan. Your personal credit is not at risk.
2. Apartment buildings are best managed by property management professionals. You collect the profits while others perform the day-to-day work.
3. Cash flow is the name of the game with any commercial real estate. Having 40 or 50 paying tenants under a single roof generates 40 or 50 times the cash flow compared to single-family houses. Apartments are specifically intended to be income-producing properties.
4. No need to panic when a single tenant moves out of your building. Unlike a single-family house, when you have multiple income streams from a single property, the loss of one tenant doesn’t mean you have to personally make the monthly mortgage payment.
5. Better use of your time or the time of your property management professional. It’s easy to see how much more efficient time management is when you maintain a single property for 40 or 50 families as compared to running around town maintaining 40 or 50 single-family houses.
A Real Estate Investment With Less Competition
6. Only a few investors know how to do it right. When it comes to a real estate investment, most people are afraid of owning multifamily properties. They lack both the required mindset and easy to acquire specialized knowledge. That fear means less competition.
7. The value of commercial real estate is based on the income it produces (not comparable values as with single-family homes). The opportunity here is buying a poorly managed property at a bargain price and turning it around to become a top income producing asset worth much more than the original purchase price.
8. Maximize your selling price by converting to condominiums. This is a highly profitable strategy used by few when it comes time to sell an apartment building. You earn more by asking top price from 50 condominium buyers than from a single apartment building buyer.
Buying a multifamily apartment building is your ticket to wealth through low risk multiple income streams producing a great return for your investment. You will be hard pressed finding a better income generating real estate investment.
Author bio: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 30 years and writing about real estate investing for seven years. He also draws upon 25 plus years of business experience including 12 years as a manager at Boeing Aircraft Company. Brian currently lives at Lake Cushman, Washington. A vacation destination, a few short miles from a national forest in the Olympic Mountains with the Pacific Ocean a couple of miles in the opposite direction. | 3,270 | 1,535 | 0.00066 |
warc | 201704 | Wayne State University receives DOD grant to study the role of microRNAs in prostate cancer racial disparities and aggressiveness
DETROIT — African American men have a 60 percent higher risk of developing prostate cancer than European American men, and a 2.4 times higher risk of dying from the disease. Some of the reasons can be attributed to differences in screening practices and treatment, but further research is needed to determine more explicit explanations.
Researchers at Wayne State University recently received a $684,000 research grant from the Department of Defense to explore the genetic and epigenetic factors – factors that interact with genes – that might contribute to this racial/ethnic disparity in prostate cancer risk and progression. They will look at MicroRNAs (miRNAs) – small RNA molecules that play a role in both gene regulation and expression that are detectable in circulating blood as well as tissues – as potential biomarkers for prostate cancer and tumor aggressiveness as well as prognosis.
“Little is known about the role of miRNAs and their biogenesis in prostate cancer,” said Cathryn Bock, Ph.D., associate professor of oncology at Wayne State University. “In addition, less is understood about the possible race-specific role of miRNAs in prostate cancer aggressiveness and outcomes. Our research will look at polymorphisms in genes in the miRNA biogenesis pathway and plasma miRNA levels to see if they are potential indicators for prostate cancer aggressiveness or outcome and how these associations might link to race.”
Bock and her collaborators will exam the association of inherited polymorphisms in genes in the miRNA biogenesis pathway, as well as the association of plasma miRNA levels with prostate cancer aggressiveness and biochemical recurrence in 480 African American men and 320 European American men.
“This project may show that certain miRNAs are potential targets for treatments with demethylating agents to prevent or slow prostate cancer, and that these target miRNAs may vary by race,” said Bock. “Identifying risk profiles of men who may benefit from such treatment based on race, inherited genotypes or plasma miRNA levels will provide momentum for developing the field of personalized medicine.”
The Department of Defense project number for this grant is PC121963.
###
Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit http://www.research.wayne.edu. | 2,914 | 1,323 | 0.000777 |
warc | 201704 | Citation
Khoo, E., & Cowie, B. (2012). Editorial: Assessment and ICTs: Innovative practices and future possibilities. Computers in New Zealand Schools, 24(2), 84–89.
Permanent Research Commons link: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/7277
Abstract
The New Zealand Curriculum [NZC] document states that information and communication technology [ICT] and eLearning have considerable potential to support the teaching approaches recommended in the curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2007). In this special issue, we explore the potential for ICTs to support innovative assessment practices that complement effective teaching approaches. Such innovations can enrich the opportunities students have to demonstrate their developing understandings and knowledge, and foster a sense of responsibility for their own and group/class learning. Designed thoughtfully, they can also promote positive student attitudes and motivation towards learning in curriculum learning areas, and towards learning in general.
Date2012 Type Publisher
Centre for Distance Education and Learning Technologies, University of Otago College of Education
Rights
© 2012, The Authors. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 New Zealand License.
Collections Education Papers [965] | 1,275 | 739 | 0.001376 |
warc | 201704 | Information about comprehensive sexual health education.
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2014 URL: http://researchguides.advocatesforyouth.org/content.php?pid=284938 Print Guide
Young people have the right to lead healthy lives. Providing them with honest, age appropriate comprehensive sexual health education is a key part in helping them take personal responsibility for their health and well-being. Learn more about sex education that works.
National Sexuality Education Standards
The National Sexuality Education Standards, developed by experts in the public health and sexuality education field and heavily influenced by the National Health Education Standards, provide the minimum essential content and skills to help students make informed decisions about sexual health. The standards focus on seven topics as the minimum, essential content and skills for K–12 education: Anatomy and Physiology, Puberty and Adolescent Development, Identity, Pregnancy and Reproduction, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV, Healthy Relationships, and Personal Safety. Topics are presented using performance indicators—what students should know and be able to do by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12.
Characteristics of Effective Sexuality and HIV Education Programs Sex Education Programs: Definitions & Point-by-Point Comparison
Dozens of school, community, and clinic-based programs have been proven effective at teaching young people healthy behaviors and helping them protect themselves from unintended pregnancy, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections.
Science and Success, 3rd Ed.: Programs that Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV and STIs in the U.S.
In the Science & Success series, Advocates for Youth identifies evaluated programs that have been proven to reduce teenage pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or to cause at least two beneficial changes in sexual risk behaviors.
Emerging Answers
Dr. Douglas Kirby reviewed 115 program evaluations to determine the characteristics shared by effective programs. He found that many programs which support both abstinence and contraceptive use have been proven effective; that none of the programs led to increased sexual activity or earlier onset of sex; and that as yet no abstinence-only program has been found effective.
Office of Adolescent Health, Evidence-Based Programs
The Office of Adolescent Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, keeps a list of evidence-based interventions, with ratings based on the rigor of program impact studies and strength of the evidence supporting the program model. Thirty-one programs meet the OAH’s effectiveness criteria and that were found to be effective at preventing teen pregnancies or births, reducing sexually transmitted infections, or reducing rates of associated sexual risk behaviors (defined by sexual activity, contraceptive use, or number of partners)
Lesson Plans from Advocates for Youth
Providing instruction about growth and development, sex, and sexuality can be challenging! Here we provide sample exercises to get the lessons started, ensure a safe space for everyone, and convey complete and accurate information on many reproductive and sexual health topics.
FLASH Comprehensive Sexuality Education Curriculum
FLASH is a publicly available, free comprehensive sexuality education program. Like most of the sexual health curricula that have been proven effective, is grounded in Social Learning Theory. It is designed to encourage people to make healthy choices: abstain longer, use protection if they do have sex, seek health care when they need it, communicate effectively with their families and with their partners and health care providers, seek help for sexual abuse, treat others with respect (not harass or exploit them), and stand up to harassment and exploitation.
Our Whole Lives Lifespan Sexuality Education Curricula
Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults (ages 18-35), and adults. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality,
Still have questions? Email the librarian: emily@advocatesforyouth.org
Click below to submit a link to a new publication, website, or journal article you think will help people doing research on this topic! | 4,655 | 2,150 | 0.000469 |
warc | 201704 | Freedom Rider: Food Stamp Corporate Welfare, “Poverty is Good for Business”
By Margaret Kimberley
Global Research October 19, 2013 If you think the SNAP food stamps debate is about poor people’s need to eat, you’re wrong. It’s about big corporations’ need to profit. “Xerox, JPMorgan Chase and eFunds Corporation have all successfully turned poverty into a profit center.” So have Coca Cola, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Kelloggs and a large slice of the rest of the Fortune 500 corporations.
“Discussions about government spending are inherently bogus because the elephant in the room, big business, is absent.”
The federal and state governments operate under a system which is of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations. Ordinary governmental functions which could easily be carried out with public money are instead privatized, depriving the public sector of revenue and jobs and making the neediest citizens unnecessarily dependent on the private sector. Governmental largesse on behalf of big business is focused primarily on poor people, the group most at the mercy of the system. Corporations collect child support payments and then imprison the poor people who can’t pay. While imprisoned, another corporation provides what passes for medical care. The crime is a perfect one.
When the Republicans demanded cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, the debate revolved around human need versus the call for fiscal austerity. Scarcely anyone mentioned that JPMorgan Chase, Xerox and eFunds Corporation make millions of dollars off of this system meant to help the poor.
The Rest…HERE | 1,720 | 931 | 0.001118 |
warc | 201704 | StoryImage( ‘/Images/Story//Auto-img-11309592004160.jpg’, ‘Photo by Dr. Robert A. Hedeen’, ‘Galls on a grape leaf caused by the Grape Berry insect, which is common in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.’);
As a biologist at the University, a frequent identification I was called upon to make was that of some type of gall that appeared on various types of plants. Usually, the individual requesting the identification was afraid their tree or shrub was infected with some type of exotic disease organism, and they were relieved when I informed them there was little danger a favorite plant would be lost.
Galls are growths on plants of various types resulting from the presence of insect eggs or larvae. Usually, the gall is more obvious than the insects producing them. No one quite understands just how these tumor-like growths form, but we do know they are formed entirely of plant tissue in response to the presence of a stage in the life cycle of a specific insect. The term gall is appropriate as when the plant is irritated, it responds by forming the protective gall.
Galls are of many shapes and forms and range in size from a tiny protuberance to the so-called oak apple, which may be several inches in diameter. Though many species of insects instigate the production of galls, the majority of galls are caused by members of two families: the gall midges (true flies) and the gall-wasps.
A remarkable fact about the gall makers is that each species infests a particular plant, and the gall produced is of a definite form and shape. Hence, when the entomologist (bug expert) or naturalist who has studied these growths examines a gall, they know what insect produced it.
Biologists have long speculated as to how galls are induced to be formed. For a time, it was supposed that when the female insect laid an egg on a plant, a drop of some chemical or poison was introduced and was responsible for the abnormal growth. By this theory, the differences between galls of different insects were explained by the supposition that each chemical produced by different species had its own unique properties. Some galls caused by plant lice and mites may be formed in this manner, but recent observations indicate this is not the case with gall midges and wasps. With these insects, the gall does not begin to form until after the egg has hatched, and the larva begins to feed on the plant. Any growth-forming substance must obviously come from the larva and not from the mother. In spite of extensive study, no gall-producing substance has been isolated from an insect.
For the most part, one should not worry that the tree or shrub will be harmed by the galls that may be present. In times of stress to a plant, such as a severe lack of rainfall, as we have seen this year in the Rock River Valley, a heavy infestation of galls may contribute to the death of a tree or shrub. The Hessian flys galls, however, may routinely cause considerable damage to wheat crops, and the clover flower midge is frequently a serious pest of red clover throughout the country. On the brighter side, galls of various types have been found to be useful as sources of certain medicines, dyes, and organic acids used in industry.
Biologists have studied gall wasps and midges for well over 100 years because many of these insects have unusual life cycles. In some, one generation will emerge in late summer and consist entirely of females that reproduce without the benefit of males (parthenogenesis). The eggs of that generation hatch in the early part of the next summer and produce both males and females that propagate in the usual manner. In a few cases, the larvae are capable of reproducing (paedogenesis).
In the first part of the 1900s, the research studies of a zoology professor at Indiana University by the name of Alfred Kinsey contributed greatly to our knowledge of the odd life cycles and sex lives of gall wasps. Kinsey was apparently stimulated by his study of the sex lives of gall wasps, and in the 1940s and 50s expanded his research to become famous for his research into the sex lives of humans, quite a transition!
Dr. Robert Hedeen is a former resident of Marylands eastern shore and resided in the Chicago area from 1960 to 1971. He is a retired professor emeritus of biological sciences in the University of Maryland system. He has published more than 30 scientific papers, has written numerous magazine articles, and is the author of two books on the natural history of the Chesapeake Bay.
From the Nov. 2-8, 2005, issue | 4,583 | 2,177 | 0.000464 |
warc | 201704 | Label / MSDS Monterey Horticultural Oil has the lowest toxicity level of any pesticide on the market. It is considered an organic pesticide. Oils work primarily by smothering, or asphyxiating, the insects and mites. Unlike many standard pesticides, oils have the added advantage of killing eggs of many pests by smothering them. The only insects killed, though, are those that are in direct contact with the oil. Oils have very little residual action, however they can repel insects from moving in, feeding or laying eggs for up to two weeks. Fungicidal activity? Oil coatings on plants seem to interfere with the growth of some fungi. This is a short-lived protection however. Some researchers are adding baking soda to oil sprays, resulting in an effective insecticide and fungicide. So far, this has been shown to be effective for powdery mildew and black spot of roses. Don't try this yourself, though unless it's on the label it's not legal. So far, baking soda is not labeled as a pesticide ( see Armicarb 100). Common Rose Pests Controlled: Aphids, Bristly Rose Slug, Rose Leafhoppers, Scale, Thrips, Whiteflies & Mites. Other uses: Monterey Horticultural Oil is an organic alternative that be used on most fruits and vegetables, as a dormant spray and as a summer oil spray. Rates & Combinations: 2.5 fl oz per gal. Can be used effectively in combination with other synthetic pesticides or insecticidal soap. When used in combination it acts as a spreader / sticker and as a penetrant.
Monterey Horticultural Oil1 gal. | 1,529 | 816 | 0.001228 |
warc | 201704 | For consumers, the power of the distributed web is accessing and connecting content across one’s internet usage and social graph. For content owners, the power of the distributed web is precisely that: one’s content is distributed such that it attracts new readers and generates more traffic.
And as sites like Friendfeed and Twitter (and others) approach tipping points, they are becoming significant traffic drivers. And as sites like Twitter continue to open up via APIs and third-parties, that traffic itself is getting distributed (Twhirl, Twitterific, etc). My point in detailing this process is that social sites like FriendFeed, Twitter and Facebook are contributing very large percentages of referral traffic - with me, for instance, Friendfeed and Twitter are becoming two this blogs largest referrals; meanwhile, Facebook delivers very targeted, high volumes of traffic to beRecruited.
As this trend grows (*and it certainly will - the question is by how much*), it will become increasingly important to understand precisely where that traffic is coming from… which is currently very, very difficult. Aggregating traffic from Twitter is damn near impossible because it comes from so many sources and applications. Here is a small subset of traffic that has arrived at this blog via Twitter:
- Twitter badges on various blogs – which mark referrals as those blogs - Twitter.com (via different Twitter accounts / pages) - 3rd party apps (which represent a massive portion of Twitter’s usage): Twhirl, Twitterific, etc - Gtalk: which is marked as direct traffic - SMS-to-Mobile-Web: again, marked as direct traffic - Social / Status Feeds on sites like Facebook
Tough to keep straight.
Even tougher to understand what the true amount of traffic being delivered from these sites are. Consequently, it’s also tough (and near impossible) to understand the value of those sources and how much focus I should spend on acquiring traffic from those sources.
These questions are currently overlooked because the traffic levels are growing, but are still relatively small. But what happens when they represent 20% of your traffic? Those sorts of numbers have enabled an entire industry to exist around SEO.
So as I think about services I’d pay for - and as sites like Twitter think about business models - perhaps we’ve arrived at a start. I am not a believer that the two prominently discussed models will work (ads in streams and subscriptions). But, I would be willing to pay (and perhaps handsomely) for data around my account, users, content and traffic…. Because right now it’s a black box. | 2,654 | 1,295 | 0.00079 |
warc | 201704 | RYE, N.Y. -- A Rye YMCA panel of four professionals recently addressed critical challenges facing teens at a panel at Rye City Hall.
Teens are facing "academic pressure," "access to drugs and alcohol," "too much texting, sexting and social media," according to members of the panel. The meeting in late-January drew about 25 members of the Rye Y’s Healthier Sound Shore Coalition and guests with an interest in youth issues, representatives said.
The Healthier Sound Shore Coalition has the goal of creating long-term, sustainable improvements in lifestyle and health in Rye Y communities.
Dinah Howland, long-time chairperson of the coalition, asked panelists to discuss the issues seen in their work with middle and high school students. Panelists were asked to describe how their organization responds to these issues and to highlight any bright spots.
"While each panelist emphasized different aspects of the problem, all agreed that teens are facing more pressure than ever — whether on the playing field, in the classroom or at home," representatives said.
Peter Green, a social worker at Rye Middle School, said “teens feel responsible for academic success,” but are experiencing new pressure thanks to increased testing, according to a release. Green suggested parents be realistic in their expectations.
Scott Altabet, executive director of the Harrison Youth Council, said "overloaded schedules lead to sleep deprivation which leads to a lack of focus, resulting in kids who are stressed and exhausted," according to the release.
Janet Buchbinder, coordinator of Larchmont-Mamaroneck RADAR, said the group tries to support parents as well as students and that parents are often confused about how to deal with their teens, according to the release. Buchbinder also talked about the “Tiger’s Den,” a new space at Mamaroneck High School designed to support “the emotional, social, physical and mental health” of students, according to the release. | 2,019 | 1,032 | 0.001001 |
warc | 201704 | Several years ago I wrote a blog post about a family holiday we took way back in 2001 in which we were convinced that the cottage we had rented was haunted.
In fact, so convinced were we of the presence of ghosts, spirits and malevolent vapours, that we upped sticks and left several days early.
I admit that I was going through a bit of a Fox Mulder stage at the time, and would probably be convinced of anything, as long as there were blurry photographs or eyewitness accounts from the local village idiot. In fact, I had recently joined a UFO group, and was convinced – amongst other ridiculous claims – that body-snatching aliens live in a cave under Colorado and that I had a radio in my head controlled by Fidel Castro.
Now, older, wiser, I thought it time to revisit this most ridiculous of weeks through the lens of my own ham-fisted skepticism.
The thing is, I've never seen a ghost, even if I claimed I had before. Not seen one. The dead have remained obstinately invisible to me.
So, what happened on those dark, scary nights in Devon? The fact of the matter is that I don't know. The kids (primary school age at the time) claim to have seen a ghost in their room. The (now) ex-wife claims to have seen a ghost in the house as well. I didn't. I thought I had at the time, but that was a glimpse out of the corner of my eye that could have been just about anything. A shadow, a car driving past, look-at-the-red-light-on-the-end-of-this-device-sir because it might as well have been marsh gas reflecting off the planet Venus.
Granted, I was scared out of my wits, but we were told up front that the place was "haunted", and any noise or shadow was amplified by our confirmation bias. We scared ourselves, and believed what we wanted to believe. If visitors had been told that a fifty-foot Michael Jackson would come out of Brixham Harbour singing Thriller on the foggiest night of the year, I dare say people would have claimed to have seen it happen.
As much as we want to rely on our own anecdotal evidence, it's dangerous to take it as accurate simply because people see what their brains tell them what they want to see. We wanted to see ghosts. We saw ghosts. Or rather, we thought we did. People do it all the time. Faces in trees, Jesus on a loaf of bread, Elvis shopping in Tesco on a Saturday night.
I was convinced there were ghosts in that house in 2001, just as much as I am convinced now, in 2014, that there were no ghosts there because they do not exist. I dare say family members will swear blind to the opposite, but that's their opinion, and they're welcome to keep it.
One of the questions that we should be asking these days is this: Why – if everybody has a good-quality camera on their person just about 24/7 – don't we see more photographs of ghosts? Or evidence of UFOs. Or of Bigfoot? Evidence appears as elusive as ever, and far better skeptics than me are expert at debunking claims as they appear in the local and national press.
Where does that leave the evidence of my own eyes? The answer is "open to new ideas". I've been to happy-clappy church services is my years as a religionist, and came out believing that the lady at the front waving her hands to heaven really was speaking in tongues. Now, I'd probably think she was a very bad actor, caught up in her own self-delusion. Or a nutter.
The skeptic in me still wants to believe, but now I want the evidence, and the evidence just isn't there. And no, stage psychics don't count. | 3,512 | 1,793 | 0.000564 |
warc | 201704 | With a network that fundamentally changes from week to week, a large convention center and hotel ditched spreadsheets...
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and whiteboards and implemented network configuration management and IP address management tools. Now, the hotel's networking team can be much more responsive to change requests and trouble tickets.
The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., hosts some of the largest conventions in the country, and each show has its own requirements for network service, according to Johniel Marrero, the hotel's network specialist. Some convention organizers even build and design their own networks and ask the Gaylord Palms to provide an Internet link. Other show organizers will expect the hotel's staff to build and manage the network.
Even with these complicated systems, the hotel‘s network configuration management and IP address management tools were very manual, Marrero said. He used CiscoWorks for IOS upgrades and configuration backups. For network configuration management, IP address management (IPAM), DHCP addresses and DNS, his staff took more of a piecemeal approach.
"We were using four different [processes]," he said. "The first was email -- virtual paperwork for communicating information. We'd sit down with a convention guest and come up with the specs … and design a network around that. Then we would use whiteboards so that our guys could have a quick, easy look [at the network]. Then [we'd] keep a spreadsheet with all the information somewhat organized so that it wasn’t just in a bunch of emails and on the whiteboard. Finally, we would input all this information into our internal CRM [customer relationship management software]."
The hotel's approaches to DHCP and DNS were similarly piecemeal, Marrero said. It relied on its Internet service provider BellSouth to provide DNS services. DHCP was handled by the hotel's Cisco-based core switches. But core-based DHCP management added complexity and inflexibility.
"If we had a situation where a [conference] ran out of IP addresses, what can you do? We would have to reconfigure the core," he said. "We'd have to break up subnets. There were some long nights where we would have to reconfigure the whole network. And once we started adding more complexity to the network, adding wireless LAN and broadband wireless service providers, it was just too much."
To get more control and visibility over changes to the hotel's network, Marrero deployed the network configuration management product NetMRI from Netcordia, which was subsequently acquired by Infoblox. Not long after that, the hotel also bought Infoblox's IP address management tools to consolidate and automate DHCP, DNS and IPAM.
The Infoblox IPAM solution has made it so that Marrero's organization can ditch the spreadsheets, emails and whiteboards, and plug all of the information into the IPAM system. This helps the organization dynamically provide IP addresses according to need -- and avoid cutting users off randomly.
In the past, the hotel would set up subnets or VLANs for a conference with a certain allocation of IP addresses based on the conference customer's own specs. However, if the conference's organizers underestimated the number of devices running, a subnet would run out of IP addresses and exhibitors, and conference attendees would be cut off from the network. This became an even bigger issue once conferences started supplying free Wi-Fi to attendees. The networking team would set up a subnet with only six or eight ports for a wireless LAN, which would start handing out DHCP addresses and Internet connections to users. The wireless LAN would run out of ports pretty quickly, and lots of attendees would be cut off. With the Infoblox product, Marrero was able to shift all of those wireless users into a VLAN with a dynamic supply of IP addresses.
Additionally, NetMRI has improved Marrero's ability to analyze the root cause of service and performance issues. Using SNMP polling, NetMRI is able to track changes to the network that might cause outages. The product can infer whether devices on the client side are causing the problem. It can also determine if there's a bigger issue at play.
"We once had a conference customer who was having issues with streaming media and was complaining that our network was down," he said. "I was able to show them [with NetMRI] that the network was fine and that the problem was with BellSouth. It was great to be able to pull a canned report showing that we were fine."
NetMRI will improve even more now that it will be integrated with Infoblox’s real-time IP address management tools. The integrated version of the two products will extend NetMRI’s reach beyond SNMP-capable devices and offer real-time visibility. Typically, SNMP polling-based technology has long intervals between polls, in order to avoid putting too much load onto the network.
"Infoblox [IPAM] grabs your MAC addresses and gives you DHCP addresses, so now you can pass that information into NetMRI … and go to a port and know what device is connected. On the [hotel side] of the network, [this visibility] hasn't been a problem because I have SNMP strings to our laptops and desktops. But on the [conference] side, unless they have public or private generic SNMP strings, [NetMRI] isn't really going to see what's connected there. With IPAM integration, it's going to be undisputable that we have a particular device connected to this particular interface at this exact time."
The real-time integration will allow Marrero’s team to answer conference customers' complaints with precision. For instance, if a conference organizer had set up its own network on site and engaged the hotel to provide access to the Internet, Marrero would be able to use a real-time NetMRI to track the configuration of the ISP connection down to the minute.
"I would be able to see that they had access until someone introduces a duplex mismatch [on their side] on a Thursday afternoon," he said. "Our interface port would have been fine and we would have definitive proof."
Let us know what you think about the story; email Shamus McGillicuddy , News Editor | 6,377 | 2,810 | 0.00036 |
warc | 201704 | We love reading about stocks. We love hearing everyone's story about why a company is going to move higher. But at the end of the day, stock prices are driven by expectations of future earnings and cash flows. And that's what we like to pay the closest attention to. Let's see what Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is worth on a discounted cash-flow basis in this article.
But first, a little background on the "research jargon." We think a comprehensive analysis of a firm's discounted cash-flow valuation, relative valuation versus industry peers, as well as an assessment of technical and momentum indicators are the best way to identify the most attractive stocks at the best time to buy. This process culminates in what we call our Valuentum Buying Index, which ranks stocks on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.
If a company is undervalued both on a DCF and on a relative valuation basis and is showing improvement in technical and momentum indicators, it scores high on our scale. Google posts a VBI score of 7 on our scale, reflecting our 'undervalued' DCF assessment of the firm, its neutral relative valuation versus peers, and bullish technicals. We compare Google to peers Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU), Facebook (FB) and Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO).
Our Report on Google Investment Considerations Investment Highlights
• Google earns a ValueCreation™ rating of EXCELLENT, the highest possible mark on our scale. The firm has been generating economic value for shareholders for the past few years, a track record we view very positively. Return on invested capital (excluding goodwill) has averaged 101.4% during the past three years.
• Once known exclusively for its search dominance, which it maintains, Google has become a tech company focused on a number of things: social, Android, ads, YouTube, Chrome and research. We think the company will have some megahits in the years ahead, and the shares are worth over $900 each.
• Google has an excellent combination of strong free cash flow generation and low financial leverage. We expect the firm's free cash flow margin to average about 24.8% in coming years. Total debt-to-EBITDA was 0.4 last year, while debt-to-book capitalization stood at 7.2%.
• The company's stock price has outperformed the benchmark during the last quarter, and its valuation still looks interesting at these levels. Investors could be accumulating shares as the stock continues to trade at bargain-basement levels.
• Google has a strong future in search-both on the desktop and via mobile devices. However, we think the Motorola Mobility acquisition will destroy value, and we continue to remain bearish on Android's profit potential (not market share potential).
Business Quality
Economic Profit Analysis
The best measure of a firm's ability to create value for shareholders is expressed by comparing its return on invested capital (ROIC) with its weighted average cost of capital (OTC:WACC). The gap or difference between ROIC and WACC is called the firm's economic profit spread. Google's 3-year historical return on invested capital (without goodwill) is 101.4%, which is above the estimate of its cost of capital of 11.6%. As such, we assign the firm a ValueCreation™ rating of EXCELLENT. In the chart below, we show the probable path of ROIC in the years ahead based on the estimated volatility of key drivers behind the measure. The solid gray line reflects the most likely outcome, in our opinion, and represents the scenario that results in our fair value estimate.
Cash Flow Analysis
Firms that generate a free cash flow margin (free cash flow divided by total revenue) above 5% are usually considered cash cows. Google's free cash flow margin has averaged about 26.7% during the past 3 years. As such, we think the firm's cash flow generation is relatively STRONG. The free cash flow measure shown above is derived by taking cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and differs from enterprise free cash flow (FCFF), which we use in deriving our fair value estimate for the company. At Google, cash flow from operations increased about 50% from levels registered two years ago, while capital expenditures fell about 19% over the same time period.
Valuation Analysis
Our estimated fair value for Google of $1038 per share represents a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 31.1 times last year's earnings and an implied EV/EBITDA multiple of about 18.6 times last year's EBITDA. Our model reflects a compound annual revenue growth rate of 14.5% during the next five years, a pace that is lower than the firm's 3-year historical compound annual growth rate of 28.5%. Our model reflects a 5-year projected average operating margin of 30.3%, which is below Google's trailing 3-year average. Beyond year 5, we assume free cash flow will grow at an annual rate of 6% for the next 15 years and 3% in perpetuity. For Google, we use a 11.6% weighted average cost of capital to discount future free cash flows.
Margin of Safety Analysis
Our discounted cash flow process values each firm on the basis of the present value of all future free cash flows. Although we estimate the firm's fair value at about $1038 per share, every company has a range of probable fair values that's created by the uncertainty of key valuation drivers (like future revenue or earnings, for example). After all, if the future was known with certainty, we wouldn't see much volatility in the markets as stocks would trade precisely at their known fair values. Our ValueRisk™ rating sets the margin of safety or the fair value range we assign to each stock. In the graph below, we show this probable range of fair values for Google. We think the firm is attractive below $804 per share (the green line), but quite expensive above $1,272 per share (the red line). The prices that fall along the yellow line, which includes our fair value estimate, represent a reasonable valuation for the firm, in our opinion.
Future Path of Fair Value
We estimate Google's fair value at this point in time to be about $1,038 per share. As time passes, however, companies generate cash flow and pay out cash to shareholders in the form of dividends. The chart below compares the firm's current share price with the path of Google's expected equity value per share over the next three years, assuming our long-term projections prove accurate. The range between the resulting downside fair value and upside fair value in Year 3 represents our best estimate of the value of the firm's shares three years hence. This range of potential outcomes is also subject to change over time, should our views on the firm's future cash flow potential change. The expected fair value of $1,450 per share in Year 3 represents our existing fair value per share of $1,038 increased at an annual rate of the firm's cost of equity less its dividend yield. The upside and downside ranges are derived in the same way but from the upper and lower bounds of our fair value estimate range.
Pro Forma Financial Statements Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Additional disclosure: GOOG is included in our Best Ideas portfolio. | 7,468 | 3,288 | 0.000307 |
warc | 201704 | While it has largely been ignored amidst the weak international economic data and bank troubles in Portugal, Thursday's release of jobless claims was a bright spot. While economists were expecting first time claims to come in at 315K, the actual level was 11K lower at 304K. Since the recession ended in 2009, there have only been two other weeks where claims saw a lower weekly print.
With this week's decline in claims, the four-week moving average also declined, falling from 315K down to 311.5K. This is now just 1K above the post-recession low of 310.5K that we saw six weeks ago at the end of May.
On a non-seasonally adjusted basis (NYSE:NSA), jobless claims rose by 16.5K to 322.2K. In spite of the increase, for the first week of July it is an extremely low level. As shown in the chart below, the average level of NSA claims for the current week of the year is more than 100K above current levels, and there hasn't been a single year since the start of 2000 where claims for the first week of July were lower. | 1,023 | 590 | 0.001702 |
warc | 201704 | By Brett Horn
CoreLogic's (NYSE:CLGX) undervalued shares offer two different routes to investor gain, in our opinion--through a buyout, or through market recognition of the company's value.
CoreLogic provides data, analytical tools, and processing services for the mortgage industry. While we knew 2011 would be a tough year for the firm as the tailwind from the refinancing boom recedes and mortgage origination remains weak, it has been even tougher than we expected--even the company's default business is struggling. The company's origination and default businesses typically work against each other, but government interference has caused the firm's default business to decline before origination volume could pick up.
In August, when CoreLogic substantially lowered its outlook for the year, the stock imploded. While the third quarter was much more positive and the stock has risen materially, we still think the shares are undervalued. Investors looking at the shares today have two ways to win, in our view: either through a sale of the company or a long-term convergence to fair value. While we're skeptical that the company could achieve our fair value estimate of $21 per share in a buyout, this route would result in a quick out for investors. If the buyout discussions come to nothing, then long-term investors can wait for the market to recognize CoreLogic's fair value.
In the Long Term
CoreLogic is a solid business from a long-term perspective, in our opinion. While smaller than peer Lender Processing Services (NYSE:LPS), CoreLogic is a leader in certain areas and a solid number two overall. We think it has sufficient size to leverage its fixed costs and produce excess returns. As the company sells noncore businesses, it will become more centered on the fundamentally attractive and moaty data business.
While 2011 has been weaker than expected, we think the default business won't necessarily follow a straight path down, and the weakness in 2011 is a deferral of revenue, not a loss. While new foreclosures are likely to remain low until the banks and the state attorneys general work out a deal, and the timing of that deal is difficult to predict, this does nothing to change the condition of seriously delinquent but not-yet-foreclosed-upon borrowers. Therefore, we think it is likely that we will see a spurt of foreclosure activity once the legal issues are worked out.
Still, the long-term trend for the default business is definitely down, as the volume of distressed mortgages remains well above normal. While we believe that the robo-signing controversy has temporarily accelerated what otherwise might have been a smooth glide down for the default business, in the long term, this business must ultimately fall off materially.
Mortgage originations remain weak, and the possibility of a substantial near-term improvement is low, but long-term volume should start to normalize. Home sales have been depressed since the housing bubble burst and have shown no sign of improvement since, absent some temporary spikes due to government programs designed to spur sales. While we don't expect a quick recovery, house sales are below levels reached even before the housing bubble and should ultimately improve.
Even if industry conditions don't improve, the company's restructuring efforts should boost profitability. In addition to selling the bulk of its nonmortgage businesses, the company has undertaken cost restructuring efforts. It initiated a head count reduction this year, which management estimates will save $30 million annually (with only $20 million of those savings appearing in 2011). Additionally, CoreLogic believes it can substantially lower its IT costs by closing redundant data centers and rationalizing end-user testing. Management estimates it can save $50 million annually through these efforts, with those savings developing over a two-year period. With the release of its third-quarter results, the company raised its target for cost savings through these actions to $80 million-$100 million. Therefore, we think it's likely that the company can achieve substantial bottom-line improvement before the mortgage market normalizes.
In the Short Term
Shortly after releasing second-quarter results, CoreLogic announced it was exploring strategic alternatives because of pressure from a large shareholder. Then in late August, the company announced that it had retained investment bank Greenhill (NYSE:GHL) to look at ways to enhance shareholder value. We think the only new option placed on the table then was a potential sale of the company.
CEO Anand Nallathambi says he and the board agree that the current market price dramatically undervalues the business, and that this view is the driver behind the board's willingness to look at strategic alternatives. So far, management has been excluded from the buyout discussions. We think management is not a willing seller at this point, as it doesn't believe it can achieve a fair value in this environment. We don't see any obvious strategic buyers, but we could see management accepting an offer below our fair value estimate if an opportunistic buyer appeared.
Still, CoreLogic is not a forced seller, and a look at comparable market valuations suggests a reasonable buyout price could be at a premium to the current stock price, even after the recent rise. CoreLogic is still profitable, holds a substantial cash balance, and is not in imminent danger of violating its covenants. As a result, we don't think it is under pressure to sell at a price the board would find less than adequate. There has been speculation that several potential buyers are looking at CoreLogic, with most being private equity firms. If this is true, then it would lend some support to the idea that CoreLogic could realize a price above the current market price.
What Could Go Wrong
The main risks are more negative surprises in the near term, legal risks, or a sale at a distressed price. Given the state of the mortgage market, further bad news cannot be ruled out, and the default business could continue to fall off more quickly than the origination business can improve. Additionally, the company does face some legal uncertainty. The FDIC recently filed a lawsuit against CoreLogic and Lender Processing Services over appraisals done for Washington Mutual. While we think CoreLogic has reasonable defenses and this lawsuit itself is not a major threat (the damages claimed only equal a little more than $1 per share), it could lead to problems if the lawsuit were successful and encouraged others to file similar claims. On the other hand, the fact that no bank has brought charges on its own behalf argues against this being a widespread issue. Finally, we're skeptical that the company can realize a fair value for its business in this environment. A sale for all or parts of the business below fair value cannot be ruled out, although new investors shouldn't be too concerned on this front, as even a sale below fair value would probably result in a quick return. | 7,070 | 3,099 | 0.000323 |
warc | 201704 | Many are hoping that the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as president of France on Sunday marked yet another triumph of free markets over a West European-style socialism on its last ideological legs. With Sarkozy garnering 53% of the vote versus Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal's 47%, and with 85% of eligible French voters casting their votes, there can be little doubt Sarkozy won a mandate for change in France. "Rupture" became a virtual slogan for his campaign. Sarkozy has pledged to act "very fast" and already has named François Fillon, the mastermind of his election victory, as his prime minister. There is little doubt that France is poised for a bout of ambitious economic and social reforms over the next five years.
Investors greeted Sarkozy's election with enthusiasm, as the French CAC-40 blue chip share index hit a fresh six-year high shortly after opening. U.S. investors may find it surprising that despite France's well-know socialist bend, the French stock market has more than doubled the return of the S&P 500.
The Sarkozy Revolution: The New Margaret Thatcher?
Conventional wisdom is that with the election of Sarkozy, France finally joined the pro-market revolution launched by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher almost three decades ago.
As well-known left wing commentator Bernard Guetta noted on French radio:
Almost 30 years late... France has at last taken the liberal turn that Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan gave the world. Others will say that after three decades of resistance, France has been caught up by international change -- the retreat of the state and the pre-eminence of the market, which it could no longer avoid. Some are rejoicing, others are deploring it but the fact is there.
Yet the reality is more complex. Nicolas Sarkozy is no ideological successor to Margaret Thatcher. Going back to the days of Jean-Babtiste Colbert, France has always tolerated government intervention in its economy more than the Anglo Saxons. Even today, the French treat the free market with distrust. An opinion poll in 2005 found that while 74% of Chinese, 71% of Americans and 66% of Britons said they were in favor of the market economy, only 34% of the French agreed.
Sarkozy defines himself as a pragmatist and a committed progressive. His objective is to modernize France's social model. He wants to achieve low unemployment, economic stability, and growth -- but in combination with France's traditionally high level of investment in public services. That is why Sarkozy refers so often to Tony Blair -- and not to Thatcher. As Sarkozy has noted: "I don't wake up every morning asking what Hayek or Adam Smith would have done."
The Sarkozy Revolution: Can He Do It?
Now that Sarkozy has been given the keys to The Élysée Palace, can he really deliver? Labor market reform is at the top of Sarkozy's ambitious agenda. He intends to break the big five unions' stranglehold on union representation; to remove taxes on overtime pay; to do away with the 35-hour work week; and to shrink France's massive government bureaucracy.
Sarkozy's triumph was already marred by sporadic violence on Sunday night as demonstrators took to the streets in Paris, Lyons, Marseilles and Bordeaux. About 300 youths (more were named "Mohamed" than "Pierre") stopped traffic while marching in Central Paris yesterday, chanting "Sarko Fascist, the people will have your hide." Public-sector unions are already making threatening noises about Sarkozy's planned reforms.
Those who have worked with Sarkozy note his impatience for change. Nor does Sarkozy shy away from making difficult decisions. But he will need all the stamina he can get. The reforms he hopes to push through in his first 100 days will antagonize every socialist faction in France. Three prime ministers of the Chirac era -- Alain Juppé, Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Dominique de Villepin -- stepped back from unpopular reforms in the face of demonstrations. So far, Sarkozy appears to be made of sterner stuff. But even the mighty de Gaulle lost his nerve in the face of the student demonstrations of May 1968.
The Sarkozy Revolution: The Politics of Catch Up?
Sarkozy's election is a watershed in French politics. But here's the irony: Politics is only playing catch up with business. The popular image of France as a socialist haven that is hostile to entrepreneurs and employers has long been outdated.
Here's why. It turns out that nearly half the companies on Paris's CAC 40 index are now led by CEOs in their late 40s and early 50s. They have MBAs, have grown up with the single European market, and they did not wait for a nod from French politicians to reform France's business culture. While politicians agonize over globalization, France's new generation of corporate executives have long transformed French companies into globally competitive players.
Some 47% of companies listed on the CAC 40 are now owned by foreign investors. That makes the French stock market more international than any other European market. French companies make the majority of their profits abroad.
Despite the millstone of labor market regulation around company executives' necks, French workers for several years have had the best growth in productivity in Europe. France has privatized many of its state-owned enterprises, including parts of national utilities and airports. The recent sale of state toll highways netted the French government almost $20 billion.
Foreign investors have voted with their feet. Foreign direct investment in France was up nearly 40% to $88 billion last year. Britain's pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and FedEx have already set up shop in France. France's leading foreign investor? The United States, with corporate investments valued at $171 billion, supporting almost 550,000 French jobs. There is no better example than the NYSE's acquisition of Euronext, whose primary asset was the Paris Bourse.
With or without Sarkozy, France's business culture has already come a long way. In Nicolas Sarkozy, the world will see a very assertive and very French leader. With France set for a political revival to match its corporate reforms, Les Anglo-Saxons might even come to miss not having Jacques Chirac to kick around any more. | 6,293 | 3,093 | 0.000327 |
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warc | 201704 | Education reform is a hot topic in Iowa. Gov. Terry Branstad has proposed, and state legislators are currently considering, a range of changes that would affect the way K-12 students are taught and teachers are trained.
The timing is perfect to hear from Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education. He will appear at noon Wednesday on campus as part of the Culver Public Policy Center’s “Pizza and Politics” series.
The event will be held in the Matthew Simpson Room in College Hall. The pizza is free, and the discussion should be lively and informative. Please come! | 602 | 401 | 0.002575 |
warc | 201704 | Adaptation towards sustainable consumption and production Professor Sir Brian Heap, EASAC President St Edmund’s College Cambridge CB3 0BN ‘….capitalism has stimulated human creativity and aggression in ways that have produced immense benefits….. capitalist freedom is a two-edged sword……..A ferocious international struggle is underway to secure access to scarce resources….which has produced a world of potentially financial instability’ 'Capitalism and Freedom’(2008) Peter Nolan, Director of the Chinese Big Business Programme (CBBP), Judge Business School, Cambridge Transformational elements: 1. Examine the systems to see if they can provide a ‘plenitude of everything for everyone’ 2. Adoption of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) as trustees of the future 3. Adaptation to universal principles of morality in choosing our own destiny 1. Examine the systems • The top 20 % of the world's rich consume 85 % of total commodities. • Establish a set of Millennium Consumption Goals for the period 2012-2020 and for subsequent decades, complementing the Millennium Development Goals in order to: to ensure that the basic needs of the poor are met preserve and strengthen earth’s natural resource base enhance global prosperity improve intra- and inter-generational equity accelerate the shift to more sustainable consumption and production Mohan Munasinghe (Rio+20, June 2012) Consumption and population May 2008, crowds in Shenzhen, China welcoming the Olympic Torch Prosperity is increasing (Musser 2005) Fold increase 1950-93 Population 2.2 Food 2.7 Energy 4.4 GDP 5.1 2 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 1995-2050 1.6 1.8 2.4 4.3 GDP high Poverty 1820 1900 1980 2000 2020 2060 World GDP pc ($ 1990 x ‘0000); population in extreme poverty (bn) Global climate change (Rohde 2006, Global Warming Art) CO2 emissions from 1990 to 2010 of developed and developing countries with emissions allocated to territorial production and the consumption of goods and services (production + imports exports). Peters et al. Nature Climate Change 2: 2 2012 Impacts of unsustainable consumption and production Climate change Biodiversity loss Threats to health Energy crisis Food crisis Water crisis Housing crisis Barber (2010) Still Waiting for Delivery A review of progress and programs in the 10-year framework International Coalition for Sustainable Production and Consumption 2. Adoption of sustainable consumption and production (Lu Bao-rong, 2010) Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of childhood blindness In 2010: 14m farmers, 130m ha grown Since 1996: +$65bn income -393m kg pesticide 17% reduction in env. impact (Brookes and Barfoot 2011) 40 grams of Golden Rice a day will save life and sight BioRegional works with partners to demonstrate solutions for… Products & supply chains: wood, construction materials, food, paper Communities: new, retrofit, energy, transport, sustainable lifestyles Monitoring results summary (2007) • Electricity use 45% lower than local average, space heating 81% lower than local average = total energy saving from buildings 60% • Water use 50% lower than local average • 86 % residents buy organic food • 39% grow some of their own food • 60% of waste (by weight) recycled (though small sample size) www.bioregional.co.uk/news-views/publications Energy infrastructure in the EU-25 3. Adaptation to universal principles of morality in choosing our own destiny …well-designed laws and public policies can harness selfinterest for the common good …incentives that appeal to self-interest may fail when they undermine the moral values that lead people to act altruistically or in other public-spirited ways Adam Smith (1759) The Theory of Moral Sentiments ‘…all men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ Declaration of Independence Jefferson 1776 Moai of Easter Island Maya city of Tikal Inuit and kayak Rwandan genocide Montana Influencing people’s behaviour is important for more sustainable lifestyles Centre of Expertise on Influencing Behaviour (DEFRA) We recognise there are many factors contributing to human behaviour Centre of Expertise on Influencing Behaviour, DEFRA, 2012 Infrastructure Experience Environmental change Norms Attitudes Culture Social networks Beliefs Geography Situational factors Influencing human behaviour Habits Behavioural factors Institutional framework Selfefficacy Values Identity Access to capital Information Social learning Awareness Knowledge Leadership Altruism Perceptions No single solution - the 4Es model provides one tool to one single solution to ensure a mix of interventions (DEFRA) Centre of Expertise on Influencing Behaviour Make it easier to act Remove barriers; build understanding; provide viable alternatives; educate/train/provide skills Enable Give the right signals INCENTIVES to encourage, and DISINCENTIVES to ensure your target audience responds Encourage Is the package enough to catalyse change? Engage Exemplify Demonstrate shared responsibility Lead by example; consistency in policies Influencing behaviour is most effective when measures are combined from across these four broad categories of policy tools Get people involved Work with trusted intermediaries; use networks; mobilise population groups European Science Academies An estimated 70-80% of new legislation of EU member states stem directly or indirectly from Brussels EASAC enables the National Science Academies of Europe to fulfil their task of giving relevant, authoritative and timely science-based advice to their governments and societies by being present in Brussels. What is EASAC? • Collective voice of the National Academies of Science of the EU Member states • Instrument of independent scientific advice for policy-makers in the European institutions • National Science Academies: networks of scientific excellence task of authoritative science-based policy advice EASAC‘s Membership • 24 National Academies of Science of EU Member States (not Malta, Luxemburg and Cyprus) • • • • Switzerland and Norway also represented Academia Europaea, the pan-European Academy of Science, ALLEA, the association of all European academies, FEAM, Federation European Academies of Medicine, (observer) Some EASAC Reports and Statements • • • • • • Transforming the EU‘s Electricity Supply 2009 Realising European potential in Synthetic Biology 2010 Groundwater situation in the Southern EU 2010 Climate Change and Infectious Disease in Europe 2010 Concentrated solar power 2011 Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials on Health Joint report with JRC, 2011 • Infectious Diseases and the Future: Policies for Europe 2011 • EU Public Health & Innovation Policy for Infectious Disease 2011 • Synthetic Biology: An Introduction 2011 Current EASAC projects • • • • • • • • Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Extreme weather events Sustainable Biofuels Carbon Capture and Storage The need for new anti-microbial Drugs GM crops Marine Sustainability Horizon 2020 (‘FP8’) • €31.7bn is earmarked for projects across 6 themes • Health, demographic change and wellbeing • Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research, and the bioeconomy • Secure, clean and efficient energy • Smart, green and integrated transport • Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials • Inclusive, innovative and secure societies Adaptation towards sustainable consumption and production in Europe • Low growth has become a feature of several developed country economies in the first decade of the 21st century • Sustainable consumption and production is a relevant paradigm in which science technology and innovation (STI) have a major role to play • STI does not hold all the answers as the aspiration of a ‘plenitude of everything for everyone’ will require behavioural change and a subjugation to group interests Concentrated solar power (CSP) Plants that are operating, under construction, or planned • w.trec-uk.org.uk http://www.easac.eu/fileadmin/Reports/Easac_CSP_WebFinal.pdf | 8,458 | 4,023 | 0.000259 |
warc | 201704 | Presentation on theme: "Coming Spruce Budworm Outbreak: Initial Risk Assessment and Preparation & Response Recommendations For Maine’s Forestry Community Coming Spruce Budworm."— Presentation transcript:
1Coming Spruce Budworm Outbreak: Initial Risk Assessment and Preparation & Response Recommendations For Maine’s Forestry Community Coming Spruce Budworm Outbreak: Initial Risk Assessment and Preparation & Response Recommendations For Maine’s Forestry Community CFRU Spruce Budworm Workshop UMaine Campus, Orono October 30, 2014 CFRU Spruce Budworm Workshop UMaine Campus, Orono October 30, 2014 Robert G. Wagner CFRU Director Robert G. Wagner CFRU Director
2Maine SBW Task Force Task Force Leaders: University of Maine Bob Wagner, Director, CFRU Director Maine Forest Service Doug Denico, Director Maine Forest Products Council Patrick Strauch, Executive Director
3Maine SBW Task Force Objectives: Develop Risk assessment Develop Preparation & Response recommendations: State government, forest managers, forest products industry, forest researchers, and wildlife biologists Raise awareness about coming outbreak for media and interested members of public
4SBW Task Teams
5
6
7>65 Expert Contributors!
8DRAFT Report Complete
9Timeline DRAFT reviewed by Task Team members complete Wagner incorporating revisions into a publicly reviewable draft now Public review will begin with Keeping Maine’s Forest group on November 18
10Risk Assessment Balsam fir concentrations (as depicted on map) by average volume (ft 3 /acre) by county in Maine, (Source: McCaskill et al. 2011) 5.8 million acres of spruce-fir stands at risk of some level of defoliation, leading to reduced tree growth and mortality over wide areas.
11Risk Assessment Map of approximately 10 million acres of northern Maine showing areas of forestland classified based on susceptibility to defoliation by SBW. (Source: Legaard et al. 2013)
12Potential Spruce-fir Yield Reductions Two studies completed: Hennigar et al – CFRU Legaard et al – NSRC Both studies conclude: 15% to 30% maximum annual reduction in spruce-fir volume or biomass for moderate to severe SBW outbreak Slow (40-year) recovery of spruce-fir following peak impact of outbreak Impact similar (both severity and rate of recovery) regardless of when outbreak occurs over next few decades
13Good News! Hennigar et al. (2013) concluded that nearly all spruce-fir volume losses can be prevented by: Adaptive harvesting Reducing area of high-risk stands (i.e., those with high balsam fir and white spruce composition) ahead of outbreak Foliage protection B.t. applications to high risk and valuable stands Only 20% of area of affected area needs to be treated Salvage logging Dead and dying trees
14Projected Cumulative Spruce-fir Volume Reductions Under Various Management Scenarios From Hennigar et al. 2013
15Projected Maximum Annual Spruce-fir Volume Reduction Under Various Mitigation Scenarios From Hennigar et al. 2013
16Economic Impact - Projected Maximum Annual Spruce-fir Loss SBW Outbreak Scenario Forest Management Response Scenario Estimated Total Direct Economic Impact to Forest Products Industry Estimated Total Indirect Economic Impact to Maine Estimated TOTAL Economic Impact to Maine Same as 1970s- 80s outbreak on current forest Worst Case – No Management -$505 million-$290 million-$795 million Approximately 50% of 1970s- 80s outbreak on current forest Worst Case – No Management-$252 million-$145 million-$397 million ASSUMPTIONS: No substitutions made for lost spruce-fir volume during outbreak No change in market price of spruce-fir wood with increased supply during outbreak No real price change in spruce-fir stumpage over time
17Many Factors Different Today Than During 1970s Outbreak Less spruce-fir forest Younger spruce-fir forest TIMO & REIT ownership Better road system Better forest management technology More diverse forest products Higher mill capacity More diverse markets Less dependence on spruce-fir Better logging technology Better protection technology More policy & regulations Lower funding levels in government & industry More sensitive political environment Less entomology expertise Challenges during coming outbreak will be very different than in 1970s-80s
18Coming outbreak may not be as severe as last one Less spruce-fir forest Younger spruce-fir forest More mixedwood stands due to partial cutting Pattern of alternating moderate and severe outbreaks (1970s was severe) Current outbreak center further north and out of prevailing winds compared to 1970s Reduced dependency on spruce-fir as mill furnish Climate models suggest less favorable conditions in Maine (However, QC outbreak is severe) Strictly speculative at this stage, but interesting indicators
19Recommendations >70 specific recommendations provided on: Monitoring strategies Forest management strategies Protection options Policy, regulatory & funding issues Wildlife habitat issues Public communications & outreach Research priorities
20Monitoring Recommendations Engaging public in SBW monitoring Increasing number of pheromone traps in across northern Maine Continuing current light trapping system across northern Maine Conducting targeted aerial surveys (plane-based observers) across northern Maine Conducting egg mass or L-2 larval survey if pheromone trapping and/or defoliation surveys indicate a high probability of population intensification
21Forest Management Recommendations 6-level stand risk categories based on species composition, productivity, age, value, access, and location Map location, condition, and concentration of high- risk stands Shift harvesting now and in coming years towards merchantable high-risk stands Stop precommercial and commercial thinning in stands where balsam fir and white spruce make up >50% of the composition Prepare action plans to salvage (or pre-salvage) trees that will likely be lost ality Seek and encourage markets for low-value trees
22Protection Recommendations 12 insecticide products with 4 active ingredients (B.t.k., tebufenozide, and carbaryl) are approved by MBPC for aerial application over naturally regenerated forests to control SBW Assess and map high-risk and high-value stands that they may be candidates for insecticide protection MFS should develop plans for providing technical assistance on SBW management to landowners Landowners with FSC certification and wishing to apply carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, esfenvalerate, lambda- cyhalothrin, and naled) should apply for temporary derogation from FSC Board of Directors
23Policy, Regulatory & Funding Recommendations Review Spruce Budworm Management Act to determine whether changes are needed given changes in roles and responsibilities of MFS and private landowners Determine personnel, financial, and timing needs for SBW monitoring within MFS and landowners Building and expanding MFS training programs and protocols for a joint state and landowner monitoring program Large landowners anticipating need for insecticide applications should explore cooperative organization for delivering aerial insecticide applications MBPC and MFS should work with insecticide manufacturers to ensure that products are available in sufficient quantities, and all regulatory compliance requirements have been met
24Wildlife Recommendations Specific recommendations provided for: Mature softwood songbirds Deer wintering areas (DWAs) Riparian zones and coldwater fish habitat Early/mid-successional species of concern (lynx / snowshoe hare / moose) Rare northern butterfly habitat High-elevation habitats and bird species
25Public Communications & Outreach Recommendations Specific recommendations provided for: Public media Family forest owners Schools Environmental NGOs
26Research Recommendations Short, medium, and long-term priorities provided for: SBW monitoring Protection Forest management Wildlife habitat management | 7,945 | 3,401 | 0.000297 |
warc | 201704 | “Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.”
This week’s news was dominated by one issue: the publication of the Leveson Report. The report, which is 1988 pages long – I must admit that I have only made my way through the executive summary so far – is the seventh report in less than 70 years commissioned to deal with concerns about the press. The quote above is taken from the Leveson Report, Lord Leveson outlined his proposals in a thoughtful and articulated way however he is a Lord Justice. The report recommended an independent self-regulatory body for the industry, backed up by legislation. The proposal for creating a new, independent watchdog was widely accepted, but the debate over any legislation underpinning it has divided opinion.
More interesting than the conclusions and proposals of Lord Leveson was the fall out within the Coalition in Westminster. We witnessed Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minster, give a separate statement to the Prime Minister, this displayed the first sign that there was a split in the thinking within the Coalition on the report.
“I cannot, and will not, recommend another last chance saloon for the press,” says Leveson in his four-volume report.
The freedom of the press is a central pillar of our democracy and rightly holds a special place in our society as Leveson highlighted in his report. The legislation proposed in the report would Place a duty on government to protect the freedom of press. However, what does the report mean for the press and media? One criticism of the report, from the traditional media, was lack of reference to the new social media. The ball is now in Westminster’s court, the PM playing the old Yes, Minster trick of calling an inquiry in the hope of kicking an issue to the long grass. However, this will not work this time. Too many victims from the actions of the newspapers were ordinary people, affected by terrible circumstances, which were then made worse by the unethical actions of reporters. Along with very vocal celebrities, such as Hugh Grant, the campaign to ensure that the press would be changed did not simply go away.
I am currently reading Nick Robinson’s book Live from Downing Street, one thing that strikes me was how much time politicians spend thinking about the press in particular Prime Ministers! One piece of advice that Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher’s Spin Doctor offers is that, ‘You cannot afford to get yourself into the position of apparently advocating censorship… worry with them, not at them.’ | 2,606 | 1,336 | 0.00077 |
warc | 201704 | Planning an event is only half the battle. You also need clever event marketing techniques that will convince people they cannot afford to miss your event. Marketing your event is made much easier when you turn to the Internet as a resource and craft a digital event strategy. It lets you engage more people while removing time and geographical constraints found in other forms of marketing.
You should consider these important elements in crafting a digital strategy for your next event:
Create Social Media Conversations
Initiating conversations through social media channels is an effective tool for getting people to talk about your event. For your Twitter account, for example, you should decide on all event hashtags in advance. Then start promoting those hashtags on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other popular social media sites.
Encourage people to follow the event hashtags for news and information related to your event. Create a pre-event network and allow attendees to submit proposals and offer feedback on your upcoming event. Giving them a voice will make your event more appealing.
Blog about It
You can’t surf anywhere on the Internet without splashing into a blog. Still, there is no reason why you shouldn’t blog about your event. You can consider a couple of options with blogging. The first is to live blog during the event. You can post photos and offer real-time updates on what is happening. This approach works well with annual events.
A second option is to blog about the event afterward. You can create a post that summarizes the event and link to any other relevant posts covering the event. Incorporate SEO keywords tied to your event so people can easily find blog posts in search engines and share them with their friends.
Engage with Mobile Apps
Create a mobile app for your event. It can offer attendees access to the event calendar or schedule. They can browse through scheduled speakers and entertainers, venue information, ticket prices and everything else related to the event. Mobile event apps will help keep your audience continuously engaged before and during the event so that you can accomplish your goals. | 2,182 | 1,089 | 0.000927 |
warc | 201704 | By A.R. Luria The Working Brain: An Introduction To Neuropsychology
By A.R. Luria
I have no scholarly interest in neuropsychology, but a great deal of interest in cultural-historical psychology, so I picked up this book to see whether it would be helpful for understanding the latter. Luria was, of course, a member of the Vygotsky Circle and his early work was very much in the Vygotsky mode of carrying on small interventions in mediation; later, he earned his medical degree and moved on to neuropsychology. But in various places, Luria has argued that his later work was a continuation of Vygotsky's insights.
This book certainly seems to bear out that argument. Published in English in 1973, it provides an introduction to neuropsychology, but the Vygotskian concepts and vocabulary are clearly there, and Luria credits Vygotsky liberally (as well as Vygotsky's "pupils" Leontev, Zaporozhets, Galperin, and Elkonin) (p.30).
Luria first covers some basic concepts, many of which are familiar to those who have read AT works, such as
functional systems(pp.27-30), internalization and mediation (pp.30-31). After giving examples of mediators—tying a knot in a handkerchief, using a multiplication table—he argues that external aids or historically formed devices areAnd he cites Vygotsky in claiming that "all types of human conscious activity are always formed with the support of external auxiliary tools or aids" (p.31). essential elements in the establishment of functional connections between individual parts of the brain, and that by their aid, areas of the brain which previously were independent become the components of a single functional system. This can be expressed more vividly by saying that historically formed measures for the organization of human behavior tie new knots in the activity of main's brainand it is the presence of these functional knots, or as some people call them, 'new functional organs' (Leontiev, 1959), that is one of the most important features distinguishing the functional organization of the human brain from an animal's brain. (p.31).
He adds that higher mental processes are not statically localized; they move around during development and training (p.31). That's because it eventually becomes automatic. His example is writing, which begins with the memorization of letters' graphic forms, then eventually becomes a "kinetic melody" (see also
The Man with a Shattered World).
So these functional systems develop over time. But—as Luria demonstrated graphically in The Man with a Shattered World—a brain lesion could unravel an entire functional system; the loss of the system itself (say, the ability to write) doesn't tell us where the lesion is, because the higher mental function isn't localized in a single part of the brain (p.35). Fortunately, this means that the functional system can be reconfigured—one can regain some ability by drawing on strategies that use different, uninjured parts of the brain.
Luria distinguishes action from operations: "Every action consists of a
chain of consecutive movements" and "in the formation of a motor skill, this chain of isolated impulses is reduced and the complex movements begin to be performed as a single 'kinetic melody'" (p.36).
Moving on. Luria, in perhaps his most Soviet statement, claims that right-handedness is "associated with
work, and ... evidently relates to a very early stage in man's history" (p.77); it has resulted in the left hemisphere of the brain becoming dominant (p.77).
I found Luria's focus on words and speech to be useful, particularly for tying his work to Vygotsky's. Luria echoes (and cites) Vygotsky in declaring that "
higher mental processes are formed and take place on the basis of speech activity, which is expanded in the early stages of development, but later becomes increasingly contracted" (pp.93-94). Later, he obliquely addresses Vygotsky's focus on word meaning as a unit of analysis, saying that "we now conceive a word as a complex multi-dimensional matrixof different cues and connections (acoustic, morphological, lexical and semantic) and we know that in different states one of these connections is predominant" (p.306). And "Speech, based on the word, the basic unit of language, and on the sentence (or syntagmata, or combination of words)" becomes "a method of analysis and generalization of incoming information", then "a method of formulating decisions and drawing conclusions" (p.307). Later, he adds, "In the 1930s, the Soviet psychologist Vygotsky first demonstrated that the process of analysis and generalization, which is the basis of the intellectual act, depends on the logical structure of speech, and that word-meaning, the basis of ideas, develops in childhood" (p.325).
There's much more to this book, particularly in terms of brain structure and functions, but I'll leave that for others. For me, the most important and interesting part of the book was in seeing how Luria takes up Vygotsky's concepts and approach, grounding his neuropsychological work in great part in the cultural-historical school. If you're interested in that aspect, you ought to consider reading this book. | 5,216 | 2,446 | 0.000414 |
warc | 201704 | Fever is Associated With Third Ventricular Shift in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Abstract P104 Introduction: Several studies have shown the detrimental effect of fever on brain injury. Recently, the incidence and prognostic significance of fever after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was reported. The underlying cause of fever remains speculative. We present data on fever after ICH, volume of ICH, 3rd ventricular shift, and patient outcome. Methods: Data from 61 patients with ICH were collected prospectively from August 1999 to April 2000 including age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, ICH volume, 3rd ventricular shift, maximum temperature (Tmax) and fever (T >38.5 °C) at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Patients were screened for common causes of fever. Outcome was determined by mortality at discharge and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Barthel Index (BI) at 3 months. Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney test, and logistic regression were used to assess relationships. No adjustment was made to significance criterion for multiple comparisons over time. Results: The average age was 65 ± 16 years. The mean admission GCS score was 8.8 ± 4.8. The mean ICH volume was 48.9 ± 52.4 cc. The mean 3rd ventricular shift was 3.6 ± 4.5 mm. The mean Tmax was 38.0 ± 0.9°C. There was a correlation between ICH volume and Tmax at 24 hours (p= 0.04) and at 72 hours (p= 0.03) and fever at 24 hours (p=0.039) and at 72 hours (p=0.036). Tmax at 72 hours correlated with 3rd ventricular shift (p= 0.01). Patients with 3rd ventricular shift > 1 mm were more likely to have a fever within the first 72 hours (p= 0.049). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed no confounding effects from intubation status, presence of infection (positive blood, sputum, or urine culture/urinalysis), abnormal chest x-ray, or DVT. Fever at 72 hours was associated with a higher mortality at discharge (p=0.046). Fever within 72 hours was associated with a trend of a worse NIHSS score (p=0.06) at 3 months but no worse outcome by BI or mRS score at 3 months. Conclusion: Fever after ICH correlates with 3rd ventricular shift and ICH volume. The underlying mechanism may be hypothalamic dysfunction. Fever may be associated with a worse outcome but more studies are needed. | 2,355 | 1,156 | 0.000879 |
warc | 201704 | Response to Letter by Miller and Palesch
Response:
Miller and Palesch question several aspects of the article by the Optimizing the Analysis of Stroke Trials (OAST) Collaboration.
1 They suggest that the Friedman test (a nonparametric ANOVA) should have been used to assess differences between the statistical tests being compared; this is what we did when performing a 2-way ANOVA using ranked data rather than raw data, as stated in the Methods section (Comparison of Statistical tests) of the article.
Miller and Palesch also suggest that the level at which the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is dichotomized should be chosen on the basis of expected risk and benefits. In reality, trialists tend to copy previous study designs so a cutpoint of 0 to 2/3 to 6 was fashionable several years ago until the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) rt-PA trial led a move to using 0,1/2 to 6.
2 In reality, the ‘most efficient’ cutpoint is likely to be the one which splits the population roughly in equal halves so the choice should depend on stroke severity and prognosis. For example, trials of feeding and hemicraniotomy, which involve patients with very severe stroke, chose 0 to 3/4 to 6 and 0 to 4/5,6 respectively. 3,4 However, as shown in the OAST article, ordinal approaches are generally more efficient than dichotomization. 1
In regards of NXY-059 data, we cannot comment because the SAINT I Trial Steering Committee elected not to share their data with OAST (although they have with other groups such as VISTA). However, we note that the Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) test, as used in SAINT I, is not an ordinal test; rather, it compares 2 groups on a binary response, adjusting for control variables, and assuming a common odds ratio.
In regards of which approach to use, the statistical assumptions underlying the different tests must be considered. Importantly, the assumption of proportional odds is met in most stroke trials assessing functional outcome (with the notable exception of thrombolysis which increases both very good outcome and death
5) so that ordinal regression is usually appropriate. The t test has been recommended for analyzing data from scales where there are 7 or more categories 6 and is robust under a range of conditions. 7 Finally, it is vital to consider which clinical assumptions are relevant to stroke trials; in general, we are interested in improving outcome irrespective of the underlying prognosis, and statistical tests which assess this will be more relevant than those which only see whether an intervention helps patients cross a particular boundary such as ‘poor outcome’ into ‘very good outcome’. Acknowledgments Disclosures
None.
References ↵ The Optimising Analysis of Stroke Trials (OAST) Collaboration. Can we improve the statistical analysis of stroke trials? Statistical re-analysis of functional outcomes in stroke trials. Stroke .2007; 38: 1911–1915. ↵ ↵ ↵ Vahedi K, Hofimeijer J, Juettler E, Vicaut E, George B, Algra A, Amelink GJ, Schmiedeck P, Schwab S, Rothwell PM, Bousser MG, van der Worp HB, Hacke W; DECIMAL, DESTINY, and HAMLET investigators. Early decompressive surgery in malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery: a pooled analysis of three randomised controlled trials. Lancet Neurology .2007; 6: 215–222. ↵ Wardlaw JM, Zoppo G, Yamaguchi T, Berge E. “Thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke.” Cochrane Database Systematic Review .2003; (3): CD000213. ↵ ↵ | 3,559 | 1,870 | 0.00055 |
warc | 201704 | Businesswoman Karren Brady outlined her six key ingredients for successful entrepreneurs at The Business Showcase South West yesterday – the unique regional event championing the region’s innovation and enterprise.
Admitting that she had rarely met a business leader who displayed all six, she said anyone running a business needed to have some of these attributes, particularly when under pressure.
In a speech that drew on her own career as well as offering advice, she also demonstrated how having determination and attitude – two of the six – had helped her survive turbulent times, especially early in her business life.
Karren Brady’s six key ingredients for successful entrepreneurs: Leadership. A real leader faces the music even if they don’t like the tune Ambition. Can your ambition inspire other people, can you continue to be a success year after year like Lord Sugar? Determination. If you have failed at something can you pick yourself up and brush yourself off? Attitude. Ask yourself what’s the worst that could happen Direction. Be clear and communicate Stay positive. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence
Becoming a director of Birmingham City Football Club at 23 had been an eye-opener and she quickly learned how badly some businesses were run.
She said she realised that the world is divided into three types of people in business – those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.
Delivering the first keynote speech of the day at The Business Showcase South West, she said running your own business “is perhaps the loneliest job in the world”.
“You are the MD, you answer the phone and make the tea,” she told the audience at Bristol's Colston Hall. “You have got to be totally committed. You have got to do what you think is right at all times.”
Lord Sugar’s right-hand woman on The Apprentice said a lot of start-ups were confused about their business plans. “Having a business plan is fine but having an action plan is far more important. When you’l make your first sale, when you’ll be paid,” she said.
“You also need determination to be the best you can be. I’ve taken every opportunity that has come my way.
“You also need the only thing they can’t teach you – enthusiasm.”
In response to a question from the audience about trust in business, she said it was vital in running your own business, adding it was a shame that trust was missing from many aspects of life.
“Our supermarkets sell us horsemeat as beef, our politicians fiddle their expenses and our bankers risk money that isn’t theirs,” she said.
The Business Showcase South West was attended by around 2,000 delegates who heard speechs from a range of business figures. More than 90 businesses exhibited throughout Colston Hall. | 2,939 | 1,419 | 0.000744 |
warc | 201704 | We believe that we have been created with a capacity to heal. As physicians it is our task to educate our patients on what the body needs to be well, use natural resources to facilitate healing, and find and remove barriers to recovery and restoration.
If the body is given what it needs internally and externally; recovery, restoration and rejuvenation are possible.
The healing journey is taken by the patient, working actively together with the physician. | 462 | 288 | 0.003503 |
warc | 201704 | From the book:
Tom's books total over 2,100 pages of advice. In this class he'll narrow all that down to 32 essential practices. Tom will blast though all the 32 practices, explaining what brought him to include each one on the list, plus tips for incorporating the practice, policy, or technology into your organization. You'll find some great ideas for providing better service with less effort.This was a very good session. It covers the Limoncelli Test, unsurprisingly. This is one of many attempts to come up with a Sysadmin version of the Joel Test (ServerFault tried). But this one seems to be going the distance. Do click on the link, as it leads right to the test. Tom has even written essays about each point to support its being there.
Take back to work:How to identify and fix your biggest problems, cross-train your team, strengthen your systems--and more!
Topics include: Improving sysadmin-user interaction Best practices for working together as a team Best practices for service operations Engineering for reliability Sustainable Enterprise fleet (desktop/laptop) management How to figure out what your team does right, and where it needs to improve
Some of the stuff in here is obvious if you've been in the industry for a while (use a ticket-tracking system, automated patching) others perhaps not so much (there are three policies that all sysadmin departments need to have defined to be effective). Some applies only to multi-person environments (pager rotations) while others are universally applicable (service monitoring).
I got a lot of goodies out of this. Some of it I had been peripherally aware of, but had never seen written up like this all in one spot before.
Ops Docs
An Ops Doc is a kind of service documentation. Each service you offer needs an ops doc and it needs to have certain things in it:
Overview: What it is, what it does. Build: How to built it, get it. Deploy: How to install it, configure it. Common Tasks: What do you commonly do with it, and what kinds of issues commonly come up + resolutions. Pager playbook: Document alert handling. Disaster Recovery: What are the DR policies for this service, and how do you run them. Service Level Agreements: What has been promised to whom, what are the penalties. What is it, where is it, how to deal with it.
Critical? Periodic audit. Probably by a non-technical manager, such as a Project Manager. And by "non-technical" I mean someone for whom managing people is their job, not managing technology directly.
The Three Empowering Policies
There are three policies that all Sysadmins need to have defined in order to be effective. Otherwise, people will just walk up whenever and ask you to do stuff, and you'll do it whenever they ask, however they ask, since we're nice that way. This is managing by interrupt and that's not a good way to manage our time. What's more, it leads to grumbling, and reinforcing the Server Troll reputation we sometimes get. The three policies
Acceptable methods for users to ask for help
Walking up and asking may be the best way for you, but in general it isn't a good way. Having a policy that defines what are the ways that users may ask for help allows sysadmins to better budget their time, and makes them more efficient overall.
The definition of an emergency
By enshrining the definitions of emergency into policy you prevent localized issues being advocated by a vocal person or small group of users from sucking resources away from a larger issue affecting the entire system but doesn't have a vocal advocate driving attention to it. The example Tom uses is a Code Red is something that stops production cold, a Code Yellow is something that could lead to a Code Red if left unattended.
The scope of service
This policy defines what is and is not covered. It is this policy that tells people that the sysadmins are not fax-repair qualified, or whether or not they make house-calls for teleworkers. This policy also defines when service is available, and what the after-hours options are.
I have to give big, big thanks to Tom for this one. This section of the class was focused on how to convince manager-types or other people with the power to block IT changes that such a change is in their best interest. I've been saying for years that one of the chief skills a well qualified Systems Engineer needs is the ability to effectively speak to management. A
How to convince people to make big changes techniciandoesn't need to talk to people persuasively. A technical managerneeds to talk to other managers. Tom went there.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I've met many people in our field who stuck with computers because either people are scary, or they don't want to deal with the bullshit that dealing with people day in and day out requires. These are not the people that make it to Senior jobs, at least not without some help. Tom identified some effective strategies for social engineering your way to what needs doing.
A more full treatment of this topic will be in another blog post. Heck, I've got a proto-book on this very topic in progress. So this will be briefer than it really needs.
Don't make people feel wrong. Phrase changes in non-accusatory ways. Making them feel wrong gets them defensive, and MUCH less likely to agree that you are presenting the best way forward. Don't make people feel blamed. Explain how this change will improve everything overall. People feeling responsible for bad decisions get defensive. You don't want that. Invent questions that'll give THEM the idea. Social engineering. If they come up with it (subtly pushed) they're more likely to follow through. Don't be threatening to their authority. Authority can come in the form of direct power (they're your boss), or indirect (they have 20 years on you, and everyone listens to them before you). People don't like upstarts, and can quash your idea out of hand just because you seem like a threat. Don't be a threat. For big changes, break them up into smaller changes and present those. Smaller change is less scary than bigger change. The Statement of Undeniable Value. If you can distil your change down to simple to understand numbers, it can make it a LOT easier to convince people that this change is needed. Suddenly, all of that seemingly irreducible complexity is now distilled into a discrete dollars-per-unit savings. Some people respond to data, others respond to peer recommendation. Knowing the difference is key. Knowing that Google uses a specific product raises that product's shine in the eyes of that specific decision maker saying 'no' all the time.
Also behaviorwizard.org is a nice wizard-style website to help you figure out how to persuade certain people to do things. It takes some social know-how to really get the most out of it, but if you have that it can really help you get even better. | 6,873 | 3,275 | 0.000307 |
warc | 201704 | Staff Reports
TROY — Two fatal traffic accidents occurred in Miami County during the quarter of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, according to the Miami County Public Health’s Safe Communities Coalition, which tracks traffic fatalities in an effort to create programs to reduce these numbers.
The coalition’s mission, along with the quartly report, is to educate the public about the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors such as drinking and driving, reckless driving, texting and driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and not wearing a helmet when operating a motorcycle. The purpose of this quarterly fatality update is to keep the public informed about common driving behaviors that cause fatal crashes, as well as educate the community to be safer drivers.
“All of us in the Miami County law enforcement community are extremely pleased to see the return of the Safe Communities Coalition through Miami County Public Health. This collaborative partnership between public and private entities is of great importance in getting educational programs and materials out to the public to increase traffic safety throughout Miami County,” said Miami County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dave Duchak. “This coalition will be an important component in helping lower the injury and fatal crash rates in Miami County. We in the sheriffs’ office are proud to be members of the Safe Communities Coalition and look forward to assisting at safety events throughout the county.”
In 2015, there were a total of 11 traffic fatalities in Miami County. Of these fatal crashes 55 percent of those involved were not wearing their seatbelts. Additionally, 36 percent of the crashes were due to alcohol use and 9 percent due to drug use.
For more Information about the Safe Communities Coalition, contact the Safe Communities Coordinator at [email protected] | 1,881 | 907 | 0.001134 |
warc | 201704 | In the current economic climate, hotels, conference centers, and resorts find themselves constantly searching for ways to reduce operating expenses. The hospitality industry, like any commercial enterprise, is driven largely by operating margins. With the economy still struggling, hotels seek intelligent ways to improve P&L performance without cutting back on offered services.
According to a recent EnergyStar report, hotels in the U.S. spend close to $4 billion on energy each year. Given that energy costs will only continue to increase, reducing energy expenditures has become a viable way to reduce overall expenses.... | 629 | 396 | 0.002537 |
warc | 201704 | Kevin Drum impressively combines two of the arguments that I have predicted carbon emissions advocates will employ when confronting the economics of global warming in a single short blog post. He cites an EPA study, “suppressed” by those raging crazies at the OMB, that Drum says shows that emissions reductions on light-duty vehicles in the U.S. will produce benefits that far outweigh their costs. Drum says of this report that:
“Far outweigh,” by the way, turns out to mean about $2 trillion. Not bad for a bunch of tree huggers.
This struck me as kind of amazing, since this is something like half of the total theoretical net benefit that the most respected carbon tax advocates assert would be created for the entire world from a perfectly designed, harmonized and implemented global carbon tax.
If you click through the supplied link, you can read the first 150 pages of this EPA report, which, as a service to my readers, I did. (I’ve got to get a new gig.)
You can find the $2 trillion estimate right there in a table on page 101. As you work your way through the analytical assumptions, however, you find that (i) this assumes a 3% discount rate, which is nice work if you can get it, and (ii) even more amusingly, counts the benefits attributable to the whole world, not just residents of the United States. At this discount rate the report estimates the total economic benefit of avoiding one ton of CO2 emissions to be $40. How much of this the U.S. portion? $1. So more than 95% of the “benefit” in this cost-benefit analysis accrues to people outside the U.S. who aren’t paying the freight.
Why didn’t the State Department sponsor this, as it sounds like the most generous foreign aid program in history? The EPA wants us to raise the price of gas so that we can help people not yet born all over the world with a problem that might develop several decades from now. | 1,933 | 1,051 | 0.000978 |
warc | 201704 | Social Media:
When Rodney S. Tucker gives his job title, what people envision is nowhere near what he does. He is a planner, but he can’t help with your next big birthday party or bridal shower.
Others think he is responsible for the financial stability or portfolios for individuals or companies as a financial planner. But he is neither.
Tucker’s role is to help towns or counties that need commercial and residential planning. He handles comprehensive plan updates, neighborhood plans as well as some zoning rewrites.
He has the credentials to prove it. Tucker is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has an undergraduate degree in geography from Fayetteville State University in North Carolina and a master’s degree from Ohio State University.
He has been doing what he does for more than 10 years, working for the city of Greenville, Henderson County and Hartsville and Darlington counties’ planning departments. He is also the owner RS3 Planning Collaborative Inc.
His company handles the new and continuing education training for council and county board members, which is how the opportunity to work with the town of Cheraw came about.
Tucker was facilitating the new board members’ training with Town Administrator Michael Smith and Cheraw and Chesterfield council members were in attendance.
“I appreciate Mike, who is willing to take the chance and ask me or even give me the opportunity to do it,” Tucker said. “That’s a testimony to him personally. He saw what I could do and said, ‘We might want to try this in Cheraw.’”
Working on a contract basis, he works two days a week with the town.
“My days thus far are trying to catch up and learn something about the town. I am learning more about it every day. But also look through some of their zoning, make sure that is not outdated,” he said.
He then takes his findings to the planning commissioners who make recommendations to the council.
Tucker said he is still trying to meet people and connect the dots to get Cheraw to grow the way Cheraw wants to grow.
“My job is to aid that growth and work with Mike (Smith) and his staff and the citizens of Cheraw in going that direction,” he said.
There is a method to the madness of planning, he explained, and part of his job is to make sure the town is following the federal, state and local laws. If all guidelines and regulations are not followed, laws may be broken and the town could face legal liability.
“A lot of it is gauging where are we now, what they’re planning and how can we make it to the point of it’s supportive and embraces growth,” he said.
Tucker said his role is to develop plans for the town that meet leaders’ objectives.
“My job is to help guide that,” he said. “I am not here to be savior or try and tell people what to they need to do, don’t do. I am trying to find partners, the pieces, pull those pieces together where they work and start initiating conversations to think outside the box.”
The town is now working on the comprehensive plan, which guides the spending as far as council allotments, and the vision of the town to make sure they complement each other.
Cheraw residents will be able to give their input during a public meeting Jan. 18 in the courtroom.
A native of a small town in Spartanburg County called Arkwright, Tucker credits his home as the spark that led to his career choice.
“There was so much love in that community. It was until later (I figured out) we were considered a poor, low-income neighborhood,” he said. “But one of the curiosities I always asked myself: Why is there different? Why is there something over here and not over there?”
Considering himself personable, Tucker’s first career choice was a doctor, but after sitting through a chemistry class and dealing with beakers and not actual people, he decided medicine wasn’t the career for him.
Many of his schoolmates became teachers, but that wasn’t what Tucker wanted.
During his sophomore year, a professor told him about urban sociology, possibly planning. After doing some research, he figured out why his neighborhood didn’t look like others. Then he knew what he wanted to do.
“So it started out as a curiosity,” he said. “I am here to help the community and do what I can for them on a consulting basis. I enjoy planning. I enjoy working with people. I enjoy seeing cities and towns change. Sometimes growth is slow. It’s an education process.”
Tucker has come to realize that growth is scary and when people are accustomed to things being a certain way, they may be reluctant to try new things.
Some may feel they might be isolated or excluded. Although he is working to help Cheraw move forward, he emphasized that it can’t be expected to grow to the size of Greenville, Columbia or Charleston.
Officials will use Cheraw’s best aspects to move it forward, but growth has to fit within the structure of the town.
He sees the potential in Cheraw and said he is looking forward to the “marriage” between his firm and the town.
Reach Maria D. Grandy at 843-537-5261. | 5,271 | 2,485 | 0.000422 |
warc | 201704 | I love to cook. But I’m not big on baking. So when my sweet tooth shows up, I like to go for easy, no bake desserts; especially chewy cookie balls. Those are my favorite! Here are over 25 easy, no-bake dessert recipes that your family will love.
Who doesn’t love a good gummy?! Homemade gummy fruit snacks are extremely easy to make. Here are over 60 recipes. [Read more…]
Lots of new moms plan on breastfeeding. And lots of moms try very hard to breastfeed. And lots of moms……can’t. So what is the best, natural, healthiest alternative to that oh-so-perfect breast milk? Here’s what I did. [Read more…]
I read a lot of blog posts. And I try a lot of blog recipes. And I test out a lot of the DIY beauty tips I find. So I’m starting a new series to share with you the best of the best of the best from the blog world!
These are all recipes & tips that I have personally tried and that my family & I loved. These are the recipes that end up in my personal recipe box and the beauty tips that I add to my daily routines. [Read more…]
Kombucha! One of my favorite things! I absolutely love kombucha. and if you’ve tried it, you probably love it, too. I’ve met very few people that don’t like it. Here’s everything you need to know about kombucha? [Read more…]
Fermented food is all the rage right now. Well, it’s been all the rage throughout history with records of fermentation as early as 3000 BC. Cleopatra did it, Captain James Cook did it, Queen Elizabeth I did it. And now I do it. Popular fermented foods today include kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, fermented garlic, fermented pickles….you get the idea. I get questions daily about how to get started, where to buy starter culture kits,, & general how to inquiries. Everyone wants to know how to get their fermented probiotics on! [Read more…]
Garlic is full of awesome health benefits including lowering blood pressure and boosting your immune system. Fermented foods are essential for gut health, digestion, and overall well being. And I can’t think of a better marriage than combining garlic and fermentation! | 2,169 | 1,084 | 0.000969 |
warc | 201704 | Witnessing the spectacle surrounding the bonuses at AIG, I have come to a rather frightening realization. This country is on the brink of conducting several very bloody class wars all at once. The AIG flap is one battle in a larger class war that pits Wall Street vs. Main Street. In a similar vein, you can look at this class war as management vs. worker or even upper class vs. middle class. Of course, that is not the only class war going on at all. The Treasury Department's loan modification plan went a long way toward creating mortgage class war between those that feel they have been responsible and those the same folks feel haven't been as responsible. Finally, the president has done an excellent job of stoking the traditional class war between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat by constantly demonizing the wealthy and also by tax policy that punishes them while giving away many things to those below them. There is even a class war being stoked by politicians for all ends between small and big businesses. As the recession deepens, expect the next manifestation of the class wars to be citizens versus foreigners. (especially as jobs go away and someone uses that to lament foreigners getting our jobs)
Class wars are among the most corrosive societal phenomenon ever created. They have lead to revolution. Karl Marx used them to push socialism. They were even a favorite of Adolph Hitler. There's no telling just how corrosive the current crop of class wars will be on the United States, but there is no doubt they will be bad. There is already an obscene amount of resentment and rage directed by one side of the class war to the other. The AIG flap is just one manifestation. In fact, the tea parties are themselves a manifestation of the class war in which citizens are enraged as their tax dollars are going to fund those that they believe don't deserve it. With each bailout and give away, a certain segment believes that they are always the ones left out when cash is doled out. What this will continue to lead to is further demonization of every opponent in each of these multiple class wars. Big fat cat Wall Street types will continue to be demonized. Those that took on more than they could afford to pay will also be demonized. The wealthy in general will continue to be demonized. In his book, Slobbering Love Affair, Bernie Goldberg recounts a conversation he had with Pat Caddell. Caddell told him that the media has lost so much credibility that a loon could run on a radical agenda down the road by simply demonizing the media. In fact, we are now in the midst of several policy debates in which one or both sides is pushing their policy by demonizing one group or another. Such an environment will only lead to policy extremism. Furthermore, economic weakness is a perfect environment for extremists to exploit class warfare. When people are struggling, they are looking for someone to blame. That's exactly what has been happening as groups from all over have taken their place on the chopping block to be demonized for most of our problems. This will lead to a series of successive policies in which demonized groups get theirs so to speak. The legislation penalizing AIG bonuses was the most obvious example. The massive increases of taxes on the "rich" is yet another example. Of course, the administration is planning on a series of new and massive regulations on most financial firms. Much of the legislation will have cheerleaders from those that believes its targets will be deserving of it. What we will do is lose all sense of perspective of good policy. Policy will no longer be formulated based on effectiveness. Rather, it will be viewed from the prism of how it can get behind those most sympathetic. Our country likely doesn't appreciate just how terrible class warfare can be. That's because up until now it has never been so effective as to do serious damage. That will all end now. The next few years will be years in which finger pointing and demonizing will be the order of the day. Policy will be formulated based on all of this finger pointing, and our country will be much worse for it.
Please check out my new books, "Prosecutors Gone Wild: The Inside Story of the Trial of Chuck Panici, John Gliottoni, and Louise Marshall" and also, "The Definitive Dossier of PTSD in Whistleblowers" | 4,355 | 2,096 | 0.000478 |
warc | 201704 | When it comes to my many, many shortcomings as a Productive Boss Lady, perhaps none are more striking than my inability to be at the top of my game in the morning. As you guys know by now, I’ve never been a morning person, and if I were to operate on my ideal schedule, most of my big work would be done in the late evenings, and my sleep schedule would be something like 2 AM to 10 AM. But alas, I work on a 9-to-630-ish schedule, because that’s when most of the world works, and I want to create my business in the real world. For now, I have to bend to the will of society at large, and that means adjusting myself as much as I can to the habits and workflow of a morning person.
But no matter how much I become semi-decent at waking up at 8:15 (hey, it’s early for me!), Monday mornings will always be a huge challenge. And I know that, even for people for whom mornings are their happiest and most productive times, Mondays still bring with them a sort of general “back to the real world, and to work” malaise. None of us are immune to the Sunday Night Sads, when we stare emptily at the TV or our computer screen and feel the simultaneous urge to do nothing at all while we still can, and to pack in as much weekend-ing as possible in our last few hours. (Usually this all gets overridden by
Game of Thrones, no matter what our plans were.)
In any case, Monday mornings are a time when everyone is at their worst in terms of overall joie de vivre and energy. I mean, I know there are some people who get really fucking hype at the idea of “attacking a new week” — and those people generally make up the insufferably chipper community known as #MorningTwitter — but I’m not talking to them. I think that you can be proud and dedicated to what you do, and want to do a wonderful job with your new week, and still feel a little bummed about the weekend being over. It says nothing about you, and everything about how crappy Mondays can be,
So, in an effort to counteract that, we’ve been doing a little bit of a Monday Morning Challenge in the TFD office, where we do different things on Mondays specifically to make things feel nice, calm, and like its own little treat (to counteract the overall ugh-ness). For a while, I was doing a little “Monday Meditation” thing where the lights in the office were low, candles were lit, rain sounds and soft jazz were playing, and an extra-special coffee was prepared. Something about easing into the transition of a work week accompanied by softness and warm light and music made it feel a lot more doable.
And this past week, partially because Maya was about to leave us to head back to the West Coast, and partially because, ugh, Mondays, we decided to up our game for the Challenge. On Sunday evening, I baked off this cinnamon roll cake that I found while browsing for delicious breakfasts, and the three of us glazed and photographed it before work started on Monday morning while we brewed coffee and tea and just generally kind of talked for a bit, instead of rushing to our desks and frantically typing, as one usually does on those mornings.
The cake was/is absolutely delicious (and you can freeze and thaw portioned pieces of it to defrost and glaze whenever you want, which is awesome), but more than that, the ritual of the whole thing was really wonderful. Treating yourself to something special on a Monday morning — whatever that thing is for you — is a perfect way to extend the spirit of the weekend, and spend a bit more quality time with yourself and your work team. We’ll be doing something each Monday and, when we stumble across something great, we’ll be sharing it here with you.
And we encourage you to take your own Monday Morning Challenge, and set aside a little time on Sunday night and beyond to prepare something specifically for the next day, to look forward to and feel great about. Tell us what you decide to do — or maybe what you’re already doing! — in the comments.
And in the meantime, enjoy the hell out of these amazing cinnamon roll cake photos, and seriously, try it at home! It’s amazing.
Happy Mondays! | 4,207 | 2,043 | 0.000503 |
warc | 201704 | Veganism is becoming increasingly popular in the African-American community, and surprisingly, among black men. Earlier this year, Arian Foster joined the likes of rap artist Andre 3000, former NFL running back Ricky Williams and boxer Mike Tyson by changing his diet to a vegan one.
“It’s in the mainstream media,” says Constance Brown-Riggs, registered dietitian and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic. “Years ago vegetarian diets were synonymous with tofu and bean sprouts. But, proponents of plant based diets have now made it more ‘sexy’ and socially acceptable.”
Vegans follow similar diets as vegetarians in that they do not eat meat, fish or poultry. However, in addition to this, vegans avoid any animal products or foods derived from animals. This includes eggs, dairy and honey.
Following a strict vegan diet results in a lower intake of cholesterol and saturated fat, thus lowering the risk for heart disease. It also makes it easier to control blood sugar levels, which is important for those with type 2 diabetes or at risk for developing it.
“Almost on a daily basis there is a new study touting the health benefits of a plant-based diet,” Brown-Riggs explains.
Many books and websites discuss those benefits, as well as how African-Americans in particular are positively affected. In fact, some in the African diaspora have become interested in veganism simply because they feel that a vegan diet is a return to the more natural eating habits from long ago.
“[Because they] were inherently healthier,” Brown-Riggs says.
Plus, she adds, eating habits that are referred to as “heritage,” “traditional” or “cultural” often highlight the positive aspects of foods specific to the diaspora and, as a result, attracts African-Americans as well.
But, not all are supportive of such a restricted diet.
As critics voiced concerns about a pro football player becoming vegan, Arian Foster hit back, saying and aiming to prove that athletes don’t need to eat meat to remain in competitive shape. The same can be said for non-professional male athletes. However, they must be particular about getting in vital nutrients, like protein, in order to ensure their physical growth.
“It’s important for [all] men following a vegan diet to make sure they are meeting their nutritional and calorie needs each day,” says Brown-Riggs. “Nutrients of greatest concern include calcium, iron, protein, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.”
The ChooseMyPlate.gov website recommends foods for each of the vital nutrients that vegetarians are at risk of missing out on. For protein intake, as an example, it recommends alternatives such as beans, nuts, peas and soy. Vegans can tailor these lists to their vegan diets. An intense exercise regimen is also strongly recommended, if one does not have access to a gym, home exercise equipment can be bought cheap so that the exercise can be done right from home.
African-Americans tend to have lower vitamin D levels normally as compared to non-blacks. So, for vitamin D, vegans can spend more time in the sun to create vitamin D naturally.
Any diet choice has pros and potential cons, but making balanced choices will provide the nutrition and energy needed to remain healthy.
Dr. Tyeese Gaines is a physician-journalist with over 10 years of print and broadcast experience, now serving as health editor for theGrio.com. Dr. Ty is also a practicing emergency medicine physician in New Jersey. Follow her on twitter at @doctorty or on Facebook. | 3,626 | 1,825 | 0.000568 |
warc | 201704 | We explore the history of gatherings and protests on the Mall, including how the space was re-designed at the turn 20th century expressly to accommodate large crowds.
As income inequality rises, researchers are noting a related trend. While those in higher income brackets have seen life expectancy increase significantly in a generation, those on the lower end of the economic spectrum have not. In some counties, life expectancy has actually dropped in certain demographics. A number of factors are involved, including higher rates of smoking, inadequate access to health care, and higher levels of stress. We explore how health care reform and policies to address income inequality might affect the longevity gap.
Guests Lisa Dubay Senior fellow, Health Policy Center, Urban Institute David Kindig Emeritus Professor of Population Health Sciences and Emeritus Vice-Chancellor for Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine; Co-Chair of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Population Health Improvement. Annie Lowrey Reporter, New York Times A Look At Life Expectancy In Our Region
This chart shows how life expectancy has grown in Washington, D.C., Fairfax, Va., and nationally, between 1989 and 2009.
Male Life Expectancy Across the U.S., 2010. Courtesy of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington
Female Life Expectancy Across the U.S., 2010. Courtesy of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
Transcript 12:22:34
MR. KOJO NNAMDIWelcome back. As the gap between rich and poor continues to grow across the U.S., researchers are noting a related issue. While those in higher income brackets have seen life expectancy increase significantly in a generation, those on the lower end of the economic spectrum have not. In some cases life expectancy has actually decreased, something almost unprecedented in wealthy industrialized countries. So what's shortening the lives of America's poor? Less access to health care for one but there are other factors as well.
12:23:05
MR. KOJO NNAMDIJoining us to talk about the longevity gap and what might be done about it is Annie Lowrey. She is a reporter with the New York Times. Annie Lowrey joins us in studio. Welcome.
12:23:14
MS. ANNIE LOWREYThank you.
12:23:15
NNAMDIAlso with us is Lisa Dubay who is a senior fellow in the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Lisa Dubay, thank you for joining us.
12:23:24
MS. LISA DUBAYIt's nice to be here.
12:23:25
NNAMDIAnd joining us from studios at Wisconsin Public Radio is David Kindig, emeritus professor of population health sciences and emeritus vice-chancellor for health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Medicine and co-chair of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on population health improvement. David Kindig, thank you for joining us.
12:23:45
DR. DAVID KINDIGNice to be here.
12:23:46
NNAMDIFor those of you who would like to join the conversation, the number's 800-433-8850. Do you think health care reform will help address the growing longevity gap, 800-433-8850? You can shoot us a Tweet @kojoshow or email to kojo@wamu.org. Annie Lowrey, you recently wrote an article titled Income Gap Meet the Longevity Gap, in which you compared two counties. Tell us a little bit about how you chose those two locations and about the income disparities that you found.
12:24:17
LOWREYWell, the two counties that I chose are, in many ways, extreme examples. So we visited some counties in a southern area of West Virginia and the Appalachians that are both very poor. And the population tends to be very sick by all sorts of metrics, whether it's smoking rates, obesity rates, diabetes rates. And it's a remote and rural area. That also matters too. There is a hospital there, a state-run hospital. There are health clinics, there are doctors. But it's a very underserved population. And there's no interstate that goes there. That's part of the big problem. It's hard to get out.
12:24:52
LOWREYAnd then I looked at Fairfax County, Va., which is one of the...
12:24:55
NNAMDIRight down the road.
12:24:56
LOWREYYeah, right down the road, one of the richest counties in the entire United States. Also one of the healthiest, one of the longest living low smoking rates, low obesity rates and just a tremendous amount -- tremendous concentration of social services, of hospitals, of jobs. And so then we wanted to look at these really extreme cases and think about how their diverging economic fortunes might have influenced their also diverging health and longevity fortunes, if that makes sense.
12:25:28
NNAMDIAnd tell us what you discovered in terms of life expectancy because on the one hand people are flocking to Fairfax and on the other, people seem to be flocking out of McDowell County in West Virginia.
12:25:41
LOWREYRight. So this is one of the real problems with these estimates of longevity that we have, is they're often based on place and people move. And very often people who are higher income or healthier, it's easier for them to move and they go to places like Fairfax, Va. because there's all these great jobs, all these great services, these great schools. And maybe they leave places like McDowell, which is, you know, very low income.
12:26:06
LOWREYBut even if you look at studies, like one by the Social Security Administration that's looking at men at retirement age, it still finds a growing longevity cap. And that isn't confounded by any of the saving factors. And There's other similar studies that have done the same thing. So this isn't just a matter of people moving place to place. That might be compounding the effects. But it seems that it's also true -- it's true at birth, it's true when you're looking at people at age 60 or 65 and it seems to be true just about everywhere.
12:26:37
NNAMDIDavid, in your work you rate the health of all U.S. counties and it seems life expectancies in the U.S. are essentially diverging. Can you talk about that?
12:26:47
KINDIGI'm happy to, and thanks to you for focusing on this important issue and for Annie for her great writing that she's been doing on this. Yes, that is the case. And that's been surprising and shocking to all of us. And even though Annie focused on those two counties, you know, and we look at all the counties in the country in a paper we published two years ago, actually a $9,000 increase in per capita income is associated with 13 percent reduction in mortality rates or reduction in life expectancy. That's even higher in low-income counties than that average.
12:27:25
KINDIGAnd when we look at the cause -- it's hard to establish cause of factors in this kind of work but income always comes up as a significant factor along with smoking rates and education rates and other factors in this, both not only in the existing thing but associated with the declines that we're seeing in some places, particularly in female life expectancy.
12:27:47
NNAMDIThat's what I was going to get to next, David, because in wealthy industrialized countries like ours we would expect to see life expectancy increase overtime. But you're talking about a decline in some counties, and in particular among women. Can you talk about that?
12:28:03
KINDIGWell, I'd be happy to. And that was a paper we published last year. It was shocking to us -- I mean, it's almost true at country level and at state level in the states we always see live expectancy increasing. But when you dig down into -- at the county level, you know, in smaller populations, you know, more variation gets revealed. Having said that, we were shocked at the large number of counties that were actually having falling mortality rates, particularly falling female mortality rates.
12:28:34
KINDIGAnd, well, we don't exactly know the reason for that. We teased out some of the factors -- income is one of those -- exactly why it was more for women than for men. Smoking rates perhaps in women, but that was not entirely clear. One very interesting thing we did find though is in those falling counties, after controlling for all the things like education and income and smoking rates, we still found regional differences with more of those counties in the south and west than other parts of the country, even after controlling for this. And that means there's probably other factors at work as well.
12:29:12
NNAMDIAnnie Lowrey, you found this in McDowell County also. What does the picture look like for women there?
12:29:19
LOWREYSo over the past 30 years with the decline of the coal industry, life expectancy for women has declined in McDowell County. And life expectancy for men hasn't declined but it's very low. Sort of if you compare McDowell with other countries where someplace like Fairfax looks a lot like a country like Sweden, someplace like McDowell looks like a middle income or a low income country even. You know, one country that had very similar mortality rates is Iraq, of all countries.
12:29:50
LOWREYAnd so what's happening in McDowell is that you see this great economic decline. There were actually a lot of really high-paying coal mining jobs back 10, 20, 30 years ago but those have eroded. And the industries that are in McDowell, so timber, there's a railroad which requires a lot of people for maintenance, that kind of thing. There's also, you know, some shops and social services there that employ people, a lot of nonprofit employment, actually school employment. But it's not much.
12:30:18
LOWREYAnd you've actually seen real incomes, so incomes adjusted for inflation decline there. And along with that decline, a lot of people have left. And those who have stayed have seemed to get sicker proportionately. So a lot of that -- at just that one county probably a lot of it is explained by who is there. But at the same time, life has gotten harder there. People in a lot of ways are poorer. The county has gotten depopulated so there's less services for them. It's really complicated but it seems that all of these things may be leading to a sicker population among the folks in McDowell.
12:30:52
NNAMDIAnnie Lowrey is a reporter with the New York Times. David Kindig is emeritus professor of population health sciences and emeritus vice-chancellor for health services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Medicine. He joins us from studios at Wisconsin Public Radio. Lisa Dubay is a senior fellow in the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Lisa, we've seen recent research on another growing gap in smoking rates between rich and poor. Can you talk about that and how it fits into this broader picture?
12:31:22
DUBAYSure. You know, we see this gradient in health and it's not just the poor versus the rich. It's the poor are worse off than the near poor who are -- I mean, who are worse off than the middle class and who are worse off than the higher income. And for a lot of health outcomes and also a lot of health behaviors you see that same gradient. So it's not just the poor versus everybody else. There's a gradient.
12:31:54
DUBAYSo a lot of health behaviors are worse. They're more -- poor health behaviors are more prevalent among lower income populations. That's for certain. And I think that happens for two reasons. First of all, poor people have less access to information about how to be healthy. They have less access to medical care that can make them healthy. And they also live in environments that make it harder for them to be healthy.
12:32:24
DUBAYParticularly with smoking, you know, one of the reasons that people smoke is to reduce their stress. And poor people are under an enormous amount of stress. Where am I going to get my next meal? How am I going to get my child to school? And so that's something that's sort of not always considered sort of the impact of stress on people's behaviors.
12:32:48
NNAMDI800-433-8850. Do you think it's significant that life expectancy in the U.S. is falling behind Europe and other wealthy countries? Give us a call or send us an email to kojo@wamu.org. You can also go to our website kojoshow.org, ask a question or make a comment there. Annie, you found that education is also a factor and that divide was really stark in the two communities you looked at.
12:33:11
LOWREYYeah, so there's probably this sense among researchers that money itself isn't making people healthier. And intuitively this makes sense. You know, if I went and I put more money in your bank account, that's not going to have an influence on your health for some amount of time, right. But it seems that money is very -- and income is tightly interlinked with a bunch of behaviors. And that there's all these pathways that move between income and health that relationships are really complicated but they're definitely prevalent. Education is one of these.
12:33:47
LOWREYIf you are a low-income person you are much less likely to go to or to complete college than a high-income person. And that's going to have a really big effect, it seems, on your health. And so again, the cause of pathways might work both ways. Maybe if you are a sick person it's harder for you to get a well-paying job. And so you're lower income for that reason.
12:34:09
LOWREYSo I don't -- I certainly want to acknowledge the complexity here but the idea is that all of these socioeconomic factors seem to be diverging at once. And that that is -- you know, income is maybe one of the root causes as one of the effects of the divergence. And I think that education is maybe an underappreciated factor.
12:34:31
NNAMDILisa Dubay, can we make a relationship between education and information? You pointed out that in poor communities people are likely to have less information, maybe less access for information than in wealthier communities. But does having more education also imply a greater storehouse of information, if you will?
12:34:54
DUBAYAbsolutely. I mean, I think that having more education -- we get a lot of information every day, lots of different kinds of information. I mean, for a long time, you know, hormone replacement was a good thing. Then it wasn't a good thing. So there's a lot of information being thrown at us all of the time, so I think having a good education allows you to really sift through that information and to think about, you know, what's right and what's not.
12:35:21
DUBAYAnd, you know, the link between education and income is very complicated. I mean, they're very highly correlated. So you have higher education, you're more likely to have higher income. If you start in a higher income family, you're more likely to end up as an adult having higher education levels. And so these factors are all really very intertwined, although they have their independent effects.
12:35:48
NNAMDIOn to the telephones. We'll go to Terri in Washington, D.C. Terri, you're on the air. Go ahead, please.
12:35:55
TERRIHi, Kojo. Thank you so much for taking my call.
12:35:58
NNAMDIYou're welcome.
12:35:59
TERRIAnd thank you, Annie Lowrey, for covering this issue. It's really important. I've been following your reporting on it. The comment that I wanted to make was in response to Kojo's question about whether the Affordable Care Act might be some help in countering the trend toward lower life spans, especially for lower-income women. My interest is in the lower-income women. I think it will.
12:36:22
TERRIUnder the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies must cover essential preventive care, the mammograms and cervical cancer screenings and especially birth control, which is an essential part of women's preventive care. So if you have health insurance the Affordable Care Act requires the health insurance companies to cover your birth control. And that's really important.
12:36:44
NNAMDIThank you very much for making that point, Terri. But, you know, one of the points that Annie makes is that health care is just one piece of this puzzle, if you will. Health is more than what happens in the doctor's office. Can you talk about that?
12:36:59
LOWREYAbsolutely. So there's this great experiment. We don't quite know how the Medicaid expansion and the expansion of coverage through the subsidies and the Affordable Care Act is going to affect community health. We have some idea. I would note that actually getting insurance coverage in a lot of ways is effectively lifting your household's income, right. It's giving you something that's really valuable for a price that, you know, a lot of folks can't afford. Same thing with Medicaid coverage.
12:37:28
LOWREYSo that might be actually one pathway it's going to reduce your financial stress possibly. Whether it's going to affect your health behaviors, I'm not sure that we have really great answers to that question yet. And I think that some of the best answers we have come from a study in Oregon where they had a lottery and some folks got Medicaid coverage and others didn't.
12:37:48
LOWREYAnd it doesn't seem to have affected their health very much, but it does affect their mental health. And it did affect their financial health. And so I think it remains to be seen. The researchers -- it was a really -- an all star team of researchers who did this study. They only looked at a couple health indicators. They couldn't look at the whole universe. And so I think -- and they also only looked for a couple years. They couldn't look 10, 20, 30 years down the road obviously. So I think that it's just this great question mark. And surely there's going to be some effect but I don't think that we know what and I don't think we know how.
12:38:21
NNAMDILisa, environment can also play a significant role in this, can it not?
12:38:26
DUBAYAbsolutely. So one of the links between income and your health is that you get to choose -- the higher income you have the greater choices of environments that you have to live. And so you can live in a neighborhood that has high quality housing, a great school system, great daycare, a park to run in that's safe to play in, lots of options for healthy food. So absolutely the environment that you live in makes a huge difference.
12:39:01
DUBAYBut I also want to go back to what Annie was saying about the Oregon experiment. I think that oftentimes there's a rush to understand the impacts of these programs. And I think some of the studies that have been done are not looking at sort of the long range impacts. So what we know is that over time diabetes can be controlled, hypertension can be controlled in populations with those conditions. And I think they're not easy -- it's not necessary an immediate fix but I think we need to be cautious about some of the Oregon results that suggest that there weren't health impacts. Because they really did take a very short run look.
12:39:46
DUBAYIt was a fabulous study but there were -- you know, there's some challenges to that. And, you know, I think everybody wants to know what works immediately. And sometimes things take a while to change. It takes a while to change people's behavior. It takes a while to change people's ways. These are not immediate fixes.
12:40:08
NNAMDIAnd, David Kindig, you make the point that it's not necessarily medical spending that is making the difference.
12:40:14
MR. DAVID KINDIGRight. Thanks for asking about that. Of course you have to have health insurance in order to get the benefits of our medical care system. And the Affordable Care Act will be important in that regard. But it's not the only factor. I mean most of us believe it's not the most important factor. And that's the importance of this show and Annie's work.
12:40:37
MR. DAVID KINDIGBecause there's still -- most Americans believe that medical care is the most important thing and that these other things don't matter. And that's, in part, why we spend, you know, much more than many other countries and get poorer outcome. So the importance of this conversation is to say of course we need everybody to have health insurance for immunizations, and their appendectomy when they need it and their eye care. But it is not the whole story and we need a much more balanced investment approach.
12:41:06
NNAMDIWe're going to take a short break, then we'll return to this conversation about the longevity gap. But you can still call right now, at 800-433-8850. What do you think we should do about the growing gap between rich and poor? 800-433-8850 or send us an email to kojo@wamu.org. I'm Kojo Nnamdi.
12:43:11
NNAMDIWelcome back to our conversation about the longevity gap. We're talking with David Kindig. He is co-chair of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Population Health Improvement and emeritus professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Medicine. Lisa Dubay is a senior fellow in the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute. And Annie Lowrey is a reporter with the New York Times.
12:43:36
NNAMDIWe got an email from Jessica, in Silver Springs, since we were talking about the extent to which healthcare will help to improve life expectancy. Jessica writes, "I remember reading a New Yorker article a few years ago about how the communities in and around McAllen, Texas, a very low-income community near the border, have the highest per person Medicaid spending in the country. Does that get to your guest's point about how spending doesn't necessarily improve health or improve longevity in its own right?" David Kindig?
12:44:09
KINDIGWell, yeah, and that was a great piece by Atul Gawande that a lot of people should read. It just -- it's true. The evidence is clear that the most extremes in medical care spending, the places that spend the most do not necessarily have the best outcomes. I mean, you need to have a certain level. But I think most of us believe when you get into these higher levels that there's a lot of waste.
12:44:36
KINDIGThe Institute of Medicine has estimated perhaps a quarter or 30 percent of what we spend, you know, could be wasted, and in some of those communities that's what we're seeing.
12:44:46
NNAMDIDavid, we've been talking about comparisons between rich and poor counties in the U.S., but the U.S. is also falling farther behind other industrialized nations in life expectancy. Can you talk about that and how significant it might be?
12:45:01
KINDIGRight. Well, I mean that's the other frame of reference. You know, sometimes the comparisons to other countries people glaze over because they know that we're, you know, different than Sweden or whatever the comparison is. And we have plenty of gaps in our own country, but -- as we've been talking about. But as cross-nationally, we are far behind.
12:45:20
KINDIGActually, I saw in just the New York Times this morning a new sort of a social index report that said that we actually were ranking 50th in some of the health outcomes. But that's been consistent over years, particularly with the other developed countries. And we spend maybe a third more than some of them. So, yes, we're spending more and not doing as well.
12:45:46
NNAMDIThere also seems, David, to be a connection between poverty and shorter lives. But proving that the growing income gap is what is leading to the longevity gap, with the county-level information we have, is difficult. Is it not?
12:46:02
KINDIGWell, that's correct. In social science it's really hard to establish these causal relationships. And sociologists and economists use the best tools they can on epidemiologists to tease these relationships apart. It's really -- I think it's now clear that these relationships are correct. That the effect of education and income and social support is a very important factor.
12:46:29
KINDIGTeasing out exactly like where the next dollar should go, is the next best investment in smoking or in Obamacare or in earned income tax credits. I mean that's the part where teasing apart these causal relationships is important. And we need a lot more research on that to guide policy makers who have to carefully choose where they put their next dollar.
12:46:53
NNAMDIOn the other hand, Lisa, that there is a link between poverty and health seems pretty intuitive. Does research back that up?
12:47:02
DUBAYAbsolutely. I mean there's certainly a correlation between having higher incomes and having better health. I mean I think this gets to what Dave was saying, which is that, you know, we can't -- we don't randomly assign people high incomes and low incomes. So there's probably some reverse causality in there. We know that there is. For example, if you become disabled your income is going to decline.
12:47:33
DUBAYAt the same time, I think people pretty much believe that most of the causal pathway is from having higher income produces better health. And it does that both because it gives you better economic security, and better job opportunities and less hazardous job opportunities, but it also allows you to purchase health in lots of ways, through the environments that you live in. And in terms of environmental exposures, in terms of access to the ability to live a healthy life.
12:48:07
NNAMDIAnnie Lowrey?
12:48:08
LOWREYSo when I was reporting this story I talked to a lot of health economists. And I would kind of ask them, you know, if I snapped my fingers and we became a socialist country and redistributed all income evenly, so, you know, every family was getting the exact same amount of income, would we be healthier? Basically saying, you know, how much is inequality the issue here, as opposed to income, the level of income nationally -- if that makes sense.
12:48:34
LOWREYAnd they said well, yeah, probably. And the reason is because basically if you eradicate poverty you presumably get a really big health effect. Whereas, if you take a lot of money away from higher-income folks you have less of a big health effect. You know, a billionaire is not going to be a 1,000 times healthier or live a 1,000 times longer than, you know, somebody's who's making one-one-thousandth of his income. Right.
12:48:57
LOWREYBut at the same time, as hard as it is to prove the linkages and pin down the linkages between income and longevity, it's yet harder to do it for inequality and longevity. But I think it's a fascinating mental exercise because income inequality and wealth inequality have increased. And this longevity divergence has happened at the same time. So it's a complicated issue, but I do think that there's evidence that the growing inequality and income is probably having some effect.
12:49:30
NNAMDIOn to Vicky, in Washington, D.C. Vicky, you're on the air. Go ahead, please.
12:49:34
VICKYThank you, Kojo, for taking my call. My question relates to a point that was made a few minutes back about the fact that access to health insurance is not going to necessarily, in and of itself, help to address this gap. And I was wondering whether amongst your panel of experts they were aware of studies or ideas about how to possibly incentivize healthier behaviors that could help to address this gap that we've been discussing. Thank you.
12:50:06
NNAMDIDavid?
12:50:09
KINDIGYou know, there's a world of public health out there working on everything we can do in the health behavior range, from smoking and diet and exercise. You know, there's no magic bullets on some of that. For me -- so it's a very important thing that we need to do, along with medical care. I think one of the most underappreciated things, though, is that many -- and there is strong evidence that in order to change those behaviors, a lot of that also depends on your social context.
12:50:44
KINDIGAnd low-income people have -- for obvious reasons -- you know, much more difficulty in actually just kind of making those choices themselves. So in some ways this is all related. Being able to make the healthy choice, is to consider (unintelligible) condition by your income and educational status. So it all kind of works together.
12:51:07
NNAMDIGo ahead, please, Lisa.
12:51:08
DUBAYYeah, I just want to be clear. I don't think anybody's saying that medical care isn't important. Medical care is absolutely important. It's important on the prevention side and it's important in many acute circumstances. I think we are having a debate -- we've had a debate in this country about whether or not everybody should have access to health insurance coverage. I think we haven't had the debate in this country about whether or not everybody should have access to health.
12:51:37
DUBAYAnd health is a -- to sort of give everybody the same opportunity to have health, they need health insurance coverage, they need access to care, but there are many other things that they need a well. And think that's what this conversation is about. And I think that's what Annie's piece really so clearly pointed out.
12:51:55
NNAMDIOn to Christopher, in Washington, D.C. Christopher, your turn.
12:52:02
CHRISTOPHERHi, yes. Thanks for having me on, Kojo. I just had a question for your panelists. I was curious as to how important they thought the current debate about minimum wage was in relation to longevity. And it seems to me like the less you get paid the less time you have. I don't think anyone thinks that you can buy happiness. But the more money you have the more free time you have.
12:52:20
CHRISTOPHERWhen you have to just, you know, spend every day working just to make ends meet -- and a lot of times that involves dealing with employers that aren't giving you your fair share, whether it be not paying overtime or, you know, taking tips out. It seems like that ice-cold beer at the end of the day quickly turns into a habit, as opposed to a reward.
12:52:39
NNAMDIThe stress factor, Lisa?
12:52:40
DUBAYYeah, I mean, I think there are a couple of things that go on there. First, I mean, I think we know that stress has an important impact on people's health. So there's that. But I think when we think about increasing the minimum wage or if we think about the EITC tax credit, which, you know, gives money to working families, I think the researchers in us tend to look at, well, what does that do to their incomes and what does that do to their work.
12:53:06
DUBAYBut there's not a lot of research, historically, that has looked at, well, what does that do for your health? I mean, but there are a few studies, particularly around the implementation of the earned income tax credit, that actually suggests that when you give people the earned income tax credit that smoking is reduced, their children have better birth outcomes. And so I think there's -- researchers are really trying to tease out some of those effects now. Because this link between income and health is becoming much more, I think, important to public policy and to researchers as well.
12:53:47
NNAMDIAnnie Lowrey, you compared a rural and more urban, suburban county, but similar income disparities also exist in urban areas, including right here in Washington, D.C., where a recent report by the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute show that D.C. has one of the highest levels of income inequality of any large city in the country.
12:54:07
LOWREYThis is, I think, a fascinating effect. So I actually got a couple of emails after my story came out. And they said, well, look, you're comparing a very rural county, very rural, with one that's, as you point out, suburban. And there's all sorts of social services, cradle to grave, in Fairfax. It's basically the best social services you can find anywhere. But if you're looking at just D.C. -- let's look at a really wealthy neighborhood in D.C. versus a very low-income neighborhood in D.C., because we have both.
12:54:38
LOWREYThe same effect happens. There's also been a divergence, even if you're just looking at urban counties. And so this isn't just a story about, perhaps, access to medical care or changing behaviors in rural areas where it might be, you know, smoking might socially be more prevalent and it might be, you know, harder to exercise, harder to reach good food.
12:54:58
LOWREYIt's also happening in these urban areas where it's probably a lot easier to get good food, where you probably have a higher concentration of social services. And I think that that's pretty important, you know. It's the same if you look in Baltimore, in New York, in Chicago, in all these other cities where inequality has increased, you've also seen a divergence in health outcomes, too.
12:55:15
NNAMDIWe also have to think of the issue of violence in urban areas. We got an email from a listener who grew up in Barry Farm, here in Washington, who writes, "I grew up in southeast D.C. back when the city had one of the highest murder rates in the entire country. There were times in my life when it seemed like every week a person my own age, on my block, in my classes, in my neighborhood was getting shot. For us longevity meant living past 21 years old.
12:55:37
NNAMDI"But for reasons that don't necessarily include the complicated ones about healthcare, access to food and economic opportunity that your guests are discussing right now." Even though I am sure that our guests can tell you that there's probably likely a relationship between the level of poverty and the level of violence in neighborhoods. But, Lisa, I wanted to get back to you because we're running out of time. In our region, what are some of the healthcare access issues and disparities?
12:56:03
DUBAYWell, I think healthcare, like many other things, is very local, in that, you know, you can take Washington, D.C. and, you know, there are parts of the city that have health professionals shortage areas, where there aren't enough healthcare providers within the city. Whereas, if you come over here, there's like a billion buildings of them. And I think, you know, and then, at large I think, there's going to be an increasing inequality just across the states in the region.
12:56:44
DUBAYOne of the big things that's going on with the Affordable Care Act is the Medicaid expansion. And both the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia prior to the Affordable Care Act already had expanded their Medicaid program, but Maryland has taken up the option to expand their Medicaid program, and Virginia hasn't. And so that leaves about a quarter of a million poor Virginians with no access to coverage.
12:57:10
NNAMDIWe only have less than a minute left, David, but what can be done about the growing longevity gap? Do we have to address the income gap before we can address it?
12:57:20
KINDIGI think we have to address all of these things. That's the complicated story. It is, of course, about medical care and what you just talked about. But it's about these other factors, too, health behaviors, the social environment, the physical environment, education, income. And that's what our round table was trying to address. But it's got to be investments in all of those things if we hope to decrease these differences that we have across the country or with other countries.
12:57:48
NNAMDIDavid Kindig is emeritus professor of population health sciences and emeritus vice chancellor for health sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Medicine. He's also co-chair of the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Population Health Improvement. Lisa Dubay is a senior fellow in the Health Policy Center, at the Urban Institute. And Annie Lowrey is a reporter with the New York Times. Thank you all for joining us. And thank you all for listening. I'm Kojo Nnamdi.
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HHS Secretary Leavitt Visits Central America to Advance Initiative to Improve Health Infrastructure
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SOURCE: Dept. of Health and Human Services | 4,953 | 2,260 | 0.000444 |
warc | 201704 | What pain and symptoms are associated with the supraspinatus muscle?
Deep ache over the outside of the shoulder area which continues during rest Pain down the outside of the arm, occasionally extending down into the wrist Can cause clicking or popping in the shoulder joint Concentrated pain toward the outside of the elbow Pain when lifting the arm overhead Difficulty and shoulder pain while shaving the face or combing hair Where is the supraspinatus muscle?
The supraspinatus lies at the top of the back of the shoulder. It connects the shoulder blade to the upper arm. It is one of four rotator cuff muscles.
What movements does the supraspinatus muscle control? Raises the arm out to the side and overhead Activities that cause supraspinatus muscle pain and symptoms: Carrying heavy objects with the arm hanging down ie. suitcase, a bucket of paint, etc. Working with arms outstretched in front of the body and /or overhead (painting, working at the computer, driving for long periods) Tennis Golf Interesting facts about the supraspinatus:
A tight supraspinatus along with trigger points in the muscle can cause clicking of the shoulder. This is often diagnosed as bursitis of the shoulder.
Clinical diagnoses to which the supraspinatus muscle symptoms may contribute: Adhesive capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) Supraspinatus tendinitis Rotator cuff tear Rotator cuff tendinitis Shoulder sprain / strain Shoulder pointer Brachial plexus injuries Thoracic outlet syndrome Subdeltoid bursitis Bicipital tendinitis Rotator Cuff Tear Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Glenohumeral joint dislocation Cervical arthritis or spurs Other muscles that should be considered and examined in conjunction with the Supraspinatus: Satellite Trigger Points: Subscapularis, Infraspinatus, Middle Trapezius, Upper Trapezius, Deltoid, Latissimus Dorsi Organ Systems Affected: Respiratory and Digestive Systems For Detailed Anatomy Information See: Supraspinatus Muscle Anatomy Help with Supraspinatus and Rotator Cuff Muscle Pain and Symptoms Warm Gel Therapy For Shoulder Pain Sombra Warm Therapy Pain Relieving Gel is a warming gel that I use every day not only on myself but also on clients. It provides warmth without burning and is better at relieving pain than other over the counter pain creams. For arthritic or chronic shoulder pain relief Sombra can be applied several times a day for continuous pain relief. Cold Gel Therapy for Shoulder Rotator Cuff Injury and Pain Biofreeze Pain Relieving Gel is a cold therapy gel that provides pain relief for new injuries and is great as a maintenance treatment for overuse and repetitive use injuries. Cold therapy should be used instead of heat on new injuries to help reduce inflammation. A recent study showed that Biofreeze decreased pain 2 times more than ice and the pain relief lasts 9 – 10 longer. Biofreeze should be kept on hand for those who stress shoulder and rotator cuff muscles with job or hobby related activities. Hot and Cold Shoulder Therapy Wrap Elasto-Gel Hot Cold Shoulder Wrap works well for those who need a wrap that provides both heat and cold therapy. This is a great wrap for people suffering from arthritis pain in the shoulder. Treats frozen shoulder, rotator cuff pain and deltoid muscles which can be affected by the supraspinatus. The wrap is gel which allows it to mold to the chest, shoulder and upper arm comfortably. Ice Wrap For Shoulder Injury, Supraspinatus Rotator Cuff Muscles Pro-Ice Shoulder and Elbow Cold Therapy Wrap is great for shoulder injuries involving the supraspinatus and other rotator cuff muscles. The wrap not only provides cold therapy for the shoulder, but it also extends down the arm providing relieve for upper arm and elbow pain. This should be in the freezer of every ball player for quick treatment of over-use injuries and preventative maintenance.
Self Treatment For Supraspinatus Muscle and Frozen Shoulder The Frozen Shoulder Workbook: Trigger Point Therapy for Overcoming Pain and Regaining Range of Motion is a book to consider if you are suffering from frozen shoulder or unresolved shoulder pain. Co-author Claire Davies bout with frozen shoulder led him to research trigger point therapy and use the methodology to resolve his pain and regain the range of motion in his shoulder and arm. In his book, Davies explains adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) in layman’s language.
Many people have used the treatment methods to overcome frozen shoulder. For others, it is a tool to help them manage their pain and maintain movement. There are a few for which the methods do not help, however even many of these people recommend the book for a better understanding of the condition and to help formulate questions and discussion with medical professionals.
The
Theracane Massager is a self-treatment massage tool for use on those hard to reach areas on the neck, shoulders, back, hips and legs. If you are considering buying the book The Frozen Shoulder Workbook, you will need to buy the Theracane to use the treatment methods detailed in the book. | 5,064 | 2,193 | 0.000458 |
warc | 201704 | I believe in believing. Without anything to believe in, us, the human race, would be nothing more than a complex land dwelling sea anemone, a hunk of organic mass, with no apparent purpose other than to make it to the next day. Belief is what separates us from every other conscious species we have encountered on this small earth, and cannot be defined by words on a paper, or vocalized through any form of speech. To believe in something is much more than saying “This I believe”, or even thinking it for that matter. If you truly believe in something, it’s something you feel, something that you know, something that you live by every day.
These are rapidly changing times for my generation, and in the next 10 to 50 years, myself and my peers must be prepared to make an unprecedented amount of decisions on an endless number of unprecedented issues. I believe that these decisions must be made together, and that we must genuinely believe in what we decide to do. All of us have separate, unique, and powerful beliefs, and we must find a way to simply our individual beliefs in order to envision what we need to do to solidify the promising future that awaits us.
What do I mean when I say simplify our beliefs? Well there are certain things that I believe everyone needs to believe in. There is a part in the movie Second Hand Lions where a young boy is presented with a dilemma after noticing discrepancies in his uncle’s stories and factual evidence. He questions whether or not he should believe the stories of righteousness about his Uncle Hub that he has been told. When confronted, Uncle Hub proceeds to tell the boy:
“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything… Money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil… That love… True love never dies… Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.”
These truly are the things that we need to believe in as a country, as a family, and as a world. I believe that all people deep down inside truly do share these beliefs, and we cannot lose sight of them when presented with the challenges that face us. In a time where our cry of hope is “Yes we can” I am boldly going to take that declaration one step further:
“Yes we will.”
For this is what I believe.
If you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc. | 2,641 | 1,300 | 0.000796 |
warc | 201704 | A new life form has been discovered by biologists. An electric bacteria that live on pure energy, and they are unlike any other life on Earth. Eating and breathing electrons, they use energy in it’s purest form. These electrons are harvested from rocks and metals. While eating electricity may seem otherworldly, this flow of current is necessary for all life.
All organisms require electrons to generate and store energy. Humans and other life forms get electrons from food and excrete them with our breath. Discovering these electricity eating bacteria shows that some basic forms of life can do away with intermediaries and handle energy in it’s purest form, electrons that have been harvested directly from the surface of minerals.
Kenneth Nealson of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles says “It is truly foreign, you know, in a sense, alien.” There were two such organisms that scientists were familiar with prior to these recent discoveries, Shewanella and Geobacter.
These bacteria were part of a hidden biospher,e and these organisms that chomp on electrcity are only beginning to be understood by scientists. Found in deep sea vents, ocean sediments a few inches below the deep sea floor, and in mineral rich veins deep beneath the planet’s surface, new ones are being disvovered everyday. They are being found everywhere. It has been found that some produce hair like filaments that act as wires, these filaments carry electrons back and forth between the cells and their environment.
They were nicknamed microbial nanowires. Early work shows that such cables conduct electricity as well as the wires in your home. This could open up interesting research avenues involving flexible, lab-grown bio cables.
This article (New Electric Life Forms Found That Live On Pure Energy) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with full attribution and a link to the original source on Disclose.tv
READ MORE: http://www.disclose.tv/news/new_electric_life_forms_found_that_live_on_pure_energy/137270 | 2,108 | 1,115 | 0.000911 |
warc | 201704 | Courtesy of Huffington Post:
A nearly 13-year-old skin cancer drug rapidly alleviates molecular signs of Alzheimer’s disease and improves brain function, according to the results of a new mouse study being hailed as extremely promising. Early-stage human clinical trials could begin within months.
In the study, published online February 9 by
Science , researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and colleagues used mice genetically engineered to exhibit some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Most notably, the mice produced amyloid beta peptides—toxic protein fragments that gum up neurons and lead to cell death—and showed signs of forgetfulness.
Amyloid beta (
red areas) peptides clear from the brain of an Alzheimer’s mouse after three days of treatment with a cancer drug ( right image). Source: AAAS/Science
The Case Western team, led by Gary Landreth, decided to try the drug bexarotene (Targretin), approved in 1999 for cutaneous T cell lymphomas. The team chose this drug because of its long experience working with proteins in the nucleus of brain cells that can induce biochemical processes that affect amyloid beta.
Landreth and his colleagues fed bexarotene to the demented mice, and with just a single dose it lowered the most toxic form of the amyloid beta peptide by 25 percent within six hours, an effect that lasted for up to three days. Mice that were cognitively impaired by the amyloid buildup resumed normal behaviors after 72 hours: They began to crinkle toilet paper placed nearby to make nests, a skill lost as amyloid increased in their brains.
“We have successfully reversed all of the known pathological features and behavioral deficits found in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease,” Landreth says. “Never before has anyone observed clearance of amyloid plaques with such speed in mouse models.”
Other Alzheimer’s researchers hail the work. “I think this is extremely promising,” says Samuel Gandy, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and associate director of the hospital’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. “One of the drugs that has been on our wish list for 25 years is a drug that would clear existing amyloid deposits.”
“Landreth’s paper is impressive,” adds Kenneth Kosik, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “The effects in mice, including some restoration of cognitive abilities, are dramatic.”
Neural sanitation In a field littered with drug failures, the study offers hope that the strategy of clearing the brain of the toxic peptide can work. Bexarotene does not do so directly, however; instead, it activates retinoid receptors on brain cells that increase production of a fat-protein complex, apolipoprotein E, that helps rid excess amyloid in the fluid-filled space between neurons. It also appears to enhance another cleanup process, called phagocytosis.
Bexarotene functions differently than an amyloid-clearance approach using monoclonal antibodies, which are further down the drug development pipeline. These antibodies bind directly to amyloid and then remove it, but they have sometimes caused fluid to fill brain tissue. Bexarotene may be less likely to cause such swelling. “I think the fact that we’re inducing a natural process by turning on these receptors doesn’t lend itself to water on the brain,” says Paige Cramer, Landreth’s graduate student who performed much of the research. Unlike bexarotene, which is taken orally, monoclonals are more troublesome to administer, because they must be delivered intravenously, and if they receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, they would likely be significantly more expensive.
The study also provides the most compelling evidence to date of how the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s later in life–having the so-called
Apolipoprotein E ( APOE) gene, identified in the early 1990s–might yield a strategy for new therapies. The gene for apolipoprotein E comes in three versions, one of which, the e4 variant, confers a significantly higher risk of getting the disease–a roughly 60 percent chance at age 80 for those who carry a copy from both their mother and father, as against a less than 10 percent overall risk at that age in the general population. The gene variant, known informally as the Alzheimer’s gene, is common: about 20 percent of the U.S. population has at least one copy. The e4 carriers may be vulnerable to Alzheimer’s because they have a diminished ability to clear amyloid, a hypothesis that seems to be reinforced by this Case Western study. Jumping the gun? That idea, though, is not universally endorsed. Some experiments have shown that the e4 version may also impair the brain in other ways, perhaps by bollixing the biochemical functioning at the synapses, the connection points between neurons, or by producing toxic fragments of the lipoprotein that damage neurons. If so, increasing the production of this form of apolipoprotein E could actually worsen the pathology of the disease and would complicate greatly bexarotene’s development.
This potential hurdle does not dissuade one researcher experienced in Alzheimer’s clinical trials. “I am not particularly concerned” about potential toxic effects of extra
e4 production, says Paul Aisen of the University of California, San Diego, who heads the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study, which organizes clinical trials for drugs to combat the illness. “If it significantly enhances amyloid clearance and reduces the burden of brain amyloid, there is a good chance it will succeed.” David Holtzman, a prominent Alzheimer’s researcher from Washington University in Saint Louis, echoes the sentiment about bexarotene’s prospects: “I do think it is promising to go into humans.”
Landreth and Cramer certainly think so. They have formed a company called ReXceptor Therapeutics that intends to begin a preliminary trial in humans in the next few months to determine whether the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier and clears amyloid, as it does in mice. If those processes occur, clinical trials on the drug’s effectiveness in humans could begin even this year, and they would probably last from 18 months to three years. The drug loses patent protection for cancer this year, but Case Western has filed for patents for its use in Alzheimer’s.
Many unknowns Despite their optimism, scientists say it’s important not to overplay the progress. After all, drugs that work in mice do not necessarily help humans. Moreover, the genetically engineered version of mice used in this study do not recapitulate every aspect of the human disease. For instance, the mice do not experience the effects of dying neurons (despite having impaired cognition), and they do not go on to develop a hallmark characteristic of a later disease stage in humans–namely, the accretion of so-called tau proteins that seem to abet the killing of nerve cells. “Transgenic mouse experiments have not reliably predicted therapeutic effects in humans,” Aisen says, “so caution is essential until human studies confirm target engagement,” that is, the removal of amyloid plaques.
And bexarotene does not come without risk: it raises levels of triglycerides, blood fats implicated in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Case Western mouse work suggests that Alzheimer’s patients may benefit with doses lower than those ingested for cancer treatment, which might produce less of an effect on fat levels. Whether the drug remains effective over time is another question. The levels of amyloid plaques–although not the apparently more toxic soluble form of the peptide–rose after 90 days, a suggestion that the drug may be metabolized differently after ingestion over long periods.
The enthusiasm generated for a mouse study stems from the desperation for new ideas as the number of Alzheimer’s cases, now at 5.4 million in the U.S., is expected to more than double by the year 2050 as the nation’s demographic profile continues to gray. A better understanding of the disease process–the knowledge that pathology begins 10 or 20 years before the first symptom–has shifted focus toward earlier drug trials. New technologies that combine brain imaging and spinal fluid tests might identify at-risk patients and test new drugs. A relatively inexpensive drug that can be ingested orally, such as bexarotene, could then be prescribed to at-risk but symptom-free patients, who would take them over the course of their lifetimes, like a cholesterol-lowering drug.
As ReXceptor moves forward with its clinical trial plans, it will inevitably have to contend with the demands of the families of Alzheimer’s patients. Landreth emphasizes that calling your physician after reading an article like this one is a bad idea. “Don’t try this at home,” he cautions, “because we don’t know we what dose to give, we don’t know how frequently to give it, and there are a few nuances to its administration. So one shouldn’t be prescribing it off-label.” It is also unclear whether a drug like bexarotene would work at a middle or advanced stage of the disease, when neurodegenerative processes have already set in.
Bexarotene’s genesis as an Alzheimer’s treatment comes as an outgrowth of Landreth’s long-time fundamental work on cell receptors. If it succeeds, it will demonstrate that new ideas for treating this seemingly intractable disease may come from beyond the sometimes narrowly focused strategies of large pharmaceutical companies. | 9,843 | 4,445 | 0.000234 |
warc | 201704 | Fly Casting (for beginners & those looking to improve)
Fly-fishing may be somewhat difficult to master but certainly not to learn.
There is an old saying that perfectly sums up Fly casting, I assure you it is true. "An afternoon to learn and a lifetime to perfect". Most importantly is recognizing that learning to cast a fly rod is a relatively easy process, based on understanding and applying some mechanical skills which are required to create a consistently functional cast.
Learning to Fly-fish is a separate undertaking from Fly casting (at least initially) which, when and if at all possible should begin after having gained the fundamental skills to create an effective cast (even a little bit). Sounds daunting? It is not!
We are firm believers that the process of learning to cast should take place on the grass to begin, no rising, slurping, splashing fish to create distractions and loss of focus and coordination (I assure you as a seasoned Fly-fisher, a large rising fish has an amazingly negative effect on co-ordination and the normally elegant presentations of the most experienced Fly-fishers).
Generally, an hour perhaps two, spent on the grass with a good instructor is sufficient to generate the mental "click" of sub-conscious and conscious recognition of what yields mechanically, a successful cast. At this point you will be able to recreate at will the mechanical steps needed to achieve a fully functioning and effortless cast time after time. It is at this point that we will transition to the shores of a still body (lake or pond) of water where for a short time anyway it is likely that you will get the overwhelming feeling that you have learned nothing. Yikes!
Honestly this is (should be) a brief occurrence, as your expert instructor will have anticipated this moment and having already recognized what terminology and energy transfer analogies you best identify with, he or she will dial you back in to your casting groove, with the added knowledge of how the surface tension (resistance) of the lakes surface on the Fly-line is used to your advantage.
At about this point you will likely begin really enjoying the prospect of laying a fly out across 40 feet or so of glassy water to that large slurping trout. Oops! Here we go again, what do you do now? Time to learn to Fly-fish!
I promise that at this point you likely will cast technically better than many anglers you may meet who have been flailing at the water without instruction for a summer or two. Really!
If you really want to learn the way of the Fly-fisher join us for a multi-day destination program. You will not only learn to cast and fish and tie flies, you will journey to incredible places in the Canadian Rockies and each day will yield experiences and memories that will likely bring you back again and again. | 2,831 | 1,416 | 0.00071 |
warc | 201704 | By Aoife White, Associated Press Writer
BRUSSELS, Belgium European Union leaders backed a 100-day deadline for world's leading economies to decide urgent global finance reforms, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday.
Sarkozy, who chaired a special meeting of EU nations, said the financial crisis and economic downturn required a quick deal on an overhaul at a Nov. 15 summit in Washington bringing together leaders of the world's 20 largest industrialized nations and emerging economies.
"We are in an economic crisis. We have to take this into account," Sarkozy said. "We have to react and we have no time to lose."
"I'm not going to take part in a summit where there is just talk for talk's sake," Sarkozy told reporters after talks between the heads of the EU's 27 nations. "We want to change the rules of the game in the financial world."
The EU is calling for a second global summit next spring to flesh out changes to the way the world economy is governed. They want to see far more supervision of big financial companies and are urging governments to jointly monitor them.
They want to prevent a repeat of the Wall Street excesses that caused havoc in markets worldwide -- and are bringing emerging economies China, India and Brazil on board for talks on shaping a new world economic order.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Washington talks should be a "decisive moment for the world economy."
A text agreed by EU leaders says they want an early warning system that would watch for financial bubbles and prevent "world imbalances" -- such as the swelling U.S. trade deficit.
They also suggest making the International Monetary Fund the world's financial watchdog, giving it more power to curb financial crises, with more money to aid countries in trouble.
The Europeans also want to close loopholes that allow some financial institutions to evade regulation, and ensure supervision for all major financial players, including ratings agencies or funds carrying high amounts of debt.
The leaders in a declaration called for greater transparency in markets that would no longer omit "vast swathes of financial activity from auditable, certifiable accounts." It also said "excessive risk-taking must be overhauled," a reference to the sale of high-risk debt securities and executive pay that may reward risk-taking.
EU leaders will call on the Nov. 15 summit to agree immediately on five principles: submit ratings agencies to more surveillance; align accounting standards; close loopholes; set banking codes of conduct to reduce excessive risk-taking; and ask the International Monetary Fund to suggest ways of calming the turmoil.
Brown also said more oversight of the world's 30 largest financial group "can be set up very quickly." He wants regulators to talk regularly with counterparts in other nations about banks that operate across the world.
To date, European governments alone have committed some 2 trillion euros ($2.6 trillion) in cash injections, bank deposit guarantees, interbank loan coverage and partial or full nationalization to prop up consumer and business confidence.
The damage done worldwide is fueling a search for a "new Bretton Woods" -- a reference to the July, 1944 conference in New Hampshire that shaped the international financial system for decades.
In Washington, there is little desire in the waning days of the Bush administration for a major overhaul of financial regulations.
But the United States and European nations are no longer the only players. China and Brazil and India are jumping at the chance to join a major international effort.
G-20 finance officials nations will meet this weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to prepare next week's summit. This may pave the way for emerging economies to play a larger role in global finance talks. France is suggesting bring them on board as members of the exclusive world club of G-8 industrialized nations which regularly meets to discuss the global economy.
___
Associated Press writers Robert Wielaard, Tobias Schmidt, Raf Casert, Constant Brand and Paul Ames in Brussels, Alan Clendenning in Sao Paulo and David Stringer in London contributed to this report.
(This version CORRECTS Corrects graf 15, Bretton Woods took place July 1944 sted post-WWII; UPDATES with quotes graf 4 and graf 13, TRIMS)
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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warc | 201704 | By Anita Manning, USA TODAY
A drug-resistant form of staph may be more common than realized, occurring in as many as 46 of every 1,000 hospital patients, a new study finds.
The study, which involved 21% of U.S. health care facilities, is the first national survey to assess the prevalence of MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus, says William Jarvis, who conducted the research for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
The rates of MRSA reported are 8-11 times higher than other studies have found, he says, but those studies were smaller, focused on specific areas of the hospital, such as intensive care or surgical units, and did not count both active infections and the number of people carrying the bacteria without symptoms.
The study "is much more reflective of the entire population" than others and points up the need for hospitals to take preventive steps, including identifying high-risk areas and following guidelines for hygiene and decontamination of equipment and surfaces.
Jarvis says 67% of the MRSA cases identified were in the general hospital population, rather than in special units. "That shows MRSA is throughout the hospital, so focusing on (intensive care units) or surgical patients is not as complete as you need."
Hospitals and other health facilities that took part in the study were asked to choose one day during October or November 2006 and count all known MRSA infections in the facility.
MRSA causes infections of the skin and soft tissue as well as blood and wound infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
The bug was identified in the late 1970s as an infection that occurs in hospitals, where patients are sick and vulnerable, but in recent years new community-acquired strains have emerged, affecting otherwise healthy people.
The new study did not differentiate between hospital or community strains, but based on the site of infections and the bacteria's susceptibility to antibiotics, most of the samples were hospital-acquired strains.
Medical epidemiologist Donald Goldmann of the Institute for health care Improvement says the study was voluntary and not validated by follow-up verification, so "I'd be a little cautious about comparing these data to other data sources. On the other hand, what it clearly states is it's a big problem. That's the bottom line."
Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers across the map. | 2,615 | 1,342 | 0.000751 |
warc | 201704 | By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
Authors of a new study hope to begin a debate challenging the conventional wisdom about early detection of breast cancer. In an article in today's
Archives of Internal Medicine, they ask: Do breast tumors ever go away on their own?
Researchers of this controversial article note that one type of cancer found through screening — a rare childhood tumor, called neuroblastoma — sometimes disappears. In the new article, researchers try to learn if the same phenomenon occurs with invasive breast cancers found with mammograms.
FORUM: Living with Cancer BETTER LIFE: Cancer news and studies
While the authors say it's possible that breast cancers can regress, they acknowledge that their study doesn't provide a definitive answer. Finding a solid answer to the question may be impossible, because it's not ethical to leave breast cancers untreated, according to an editorial that accompanied the article.
In the study, American and Norwegian researchers compared the number of breast cancers found in more than 100,000 Norwegian women who were screened every two years with a roughly equal number who received only one mammogram after six years.
Women with cancer who are screened more frequently could be diagnosed earlier. But the two strategies should find about the same number of cancers, authors say. Yet doctors actually found 22% more breast cancers among the women who got more frequent mammograms.
That raises the possibility that mammograms found cancers that eventually went away — and never needed to be treated, says co-author H. Gilbert Welch of the VA Outcomes Group in White River Junction, Vt.
Other experts disputed the study's findings and note that mammograms are proven to save lives. The American Cancer Society recommends most women get annual screenings after age 40.
There are many reasons why women screened more frequently might be more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, says the cancer society's Robert Smith. Although a single scan may miss small tumors, doctors may more easily find cancers on repeat mammograms, especially if they compare new results with previous images.
With more than 180,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the USA every year, Smith says that doctors would surely have noticed if these tumors were really disappearing.
"It's important that people not wonder if women lost their breasts for no reason," Smith says. "That's a reprehensible conjecture."
We've updated the Conversation Guidelines. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation on how to use the "Report Abuse" button. Read more. | 2,641 | 1,339 | 0.000757 |
warc | 201704 | House and Senate Democrats introduced Net neutrality legislation designed to preserve FCC anti-discrimination rules that were struck down by a D.C. appellate court last month.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced the Open Internet Preservation Act and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced a companion bill in the Senate. The authors said that the legislation would restore the FCC’s rules until it has a chance to take new action to establish Net neutrality provisions that will pass legal muster.
“Our bill very simply ensures that consumers can continue to access the content and applications of their choosing online,” Waxman said in a statement. “The FCC can and must quickly exercise the authorities the D.C. Circuit recognized to reinstate the Open Internet rules.”
The legislation has 12 co-sponsors. But it faces an uncertain future in the House, where the Republican leaders have been critical of the FCC’s rules, arguing that they are unnecessary and stifle innovation.
The FCC passed its Net neutrality rules in 2010, but Verizon challenged its authority to do so. In its ruling last month, the D.C. Circuit recognized that the agency could impose rules of the road for the Internet but found fault with the way the FCC did it. The judges said that the anti-discrimination provision and other rules were akin to the type of regulation that the agency normally gives to “common carriers” like phone services, but the FCC classifies the Internet differently, as an information service.
The D.C. Circuit’s decision unleashed a wave of commentary that the Internet is at risk of becoming like the tier system of cable TV, in which subscribers will be forced to pay more for the most desired content. Eshoo said that “the Internet as we know it suffered a blow.
“By striking down rules that prevented broadband providers from discriminating against or even blocking online content, the court’s decision threatens the openness and freedom that has defined the success of the Internet,” Eshoo said.
FCC chairman Tom Wheeler has not said which next step the agency will take. Although one of the straightforward approaches would be for the FCC to classify the Internet as a common carrier or telecommunications service, Republican lawmakers have warned that such a move would face a storm of protest from telecommunications firms and broadband providers, as well as Wall Street investors.
There is pressure to restore the rules. Last week, Free Press and a coalition of 80 organizations delivered petitions with more than 1 million signatures to reclassify the Internet as a telecommunications service. | 2,713 | 1,310 | 0.000785 |
warc | 201704 | One of the big changes in the startup world over the last half-decade was the rise of Amazon Web Services. It allowed a small team with limited capital to quickly and easily build a web company that could operate at a fairly large scale by letting them rely on servers in the cloud.
Newvem, an Israeli startup we wrote about recently, aims to help startups by showing them exactly how they are using AWS and where they can save money. So take with a grain of salt their new study which shows rampant inefficiencies among the average AWS user.
Looking at dozens of customers running Newvem, the company found that small startups, the ones for whom cash is typically a big priority, are spending money on Amazon that they don’t need.
For customers with a monthly budget of less than $1,000 on Amazon Web Services, NewVem found that more than 50 percent of their rented servers were idle. This might make sense, since small startups are more likely to see big spikes in traffic and usage relative to their daily norms.
Companies who are spending more money tend to be more efficient, which is counter-intuitive in some ways . NewVem says the big chasm is around the $3,000, when companies graduate to a much bigger spend, and in this study | 1,247 | 691 | 0.00146 |
warc | 201704 | The Glaziers’ Trust – one of
Vidimus‘s most generous supporters – is part of The Worshipful Company of Glaziers, one of the City Livery Companies. Here Susan Mathews, Secretary to the Trust, describes its work.
The Trust is delighted to support
Vidimus, which helps fulfil one of its primary educational objectives. The Trust was established in 1966 for the advancement of education and the benefit of the public, to further knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the art of stained, etched and other forms of decorative glass and glass mosaic. It aims to encourage and assist members of the public to see fine examples of glass and to promote its study and care. It also maintains a library of books and other reference material and helps to repair and restore stained glass windows of historically important significance.
The Glaziers’ Trust provides grants to applicants both in church and secular areas. The total annual grant available is not large, and its annual budget and most grants are in the range of £3,000- £5,000 but the Trustees, who meet four times a year are dedicated to directing its funds in the most effective way possible. Although most grants are small they can often help in a fund-raising campaign by encouraging other bodies to ‘get on board’.
As its new secretary I have begun to appreciate how wide-ranging are the causes the Trust supports. Before Christmas its charity for the Relief of Need, bought a cooker for a retired glazier who had fallen on hard times. It sponsored three places on stained glass study weekends based respectively in Winchester and Liverpool, organised by The British Society of Master Glass Painters and The Stained Glass Museum. These weekend conferences enable young people to see stained glass in situ, to meet experts in the field and to share their passion with other enthusiasts. The Trust also takes lectures to audiences. Last year, for example, the Glaziers’ Annual Lecture held in London ‘Lesser known Masterpieces of Medieval Glass’ given by Painton Cowen, was delivered a second time to the students in the Architectural School of Stained Glass at Swansea Metropolitan University.
In 2008 the Glaziers’ Trust awarded its first bursary to the MA Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management course at the University of York. The student in question achieved an MA with distinction. This two-year innovative course – the only one of its kind in the English-speaking world – offers training in stained glass conservation workshops, heritage management, arts administration, architectural offices, and the administration of historic buildings and museums and is a preparation for higher research degrees.
Foraging in the archives in the basement of Glaziers’ Hall in London, I am beginning to discover how fascinating and diverse are the projects supported by the Glaziers’ Trust. At its December meeting the Trustees were so impressed at the money-raising efforts of a tiny congregation in north Yorkshire, to restore windows in their church, that a modest grant was given so that Barley Studio could re-create the missing half of an interesting nineteenth-century window by James Powell and Sons (Whitefriars.)
It is vital for conservators to bring to their work a high degree of skill, knowledge and integrity. The Glaziers’ Trust is very supportive of those professionals accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation. For example, in 2009 the Trust awarded St Oswald’s church, Malpas (Cheshire) a grant for the conservation of its outstanding and extensive collection of early sixteenth-century stained glass from the Netherlands. Ruth and Jonathan Cooke have just completed the conservation of the entire set of forty panels. One of the panels, dating from around 1500 and depicting Rebecca and Isaac at the Well, gives an impression of the challenges facing the conservators.
There were several breaks to glass and lead, damage caused by cobwebs holding moisture against it, and deterioration of the glass itself. There were also pits and scratches on both surfaces of the glass, loss of paint and some unsightly mending leads from an earlier restoration [Fig. 1]. The conservators submitted a report to the Trustees describing the state of the glass and its historical importance and making detailed proposals for its conservation. The dramatic improvement in the condition of the panel following conservation can be seen in Fig. 2. Not only has the glass been carefully cleaned and repaired but its legibility has been much improved by the removal of the unsightly mending leads. The panel, which dates from around 1500, has now been returned to the north wall of the family chapel where it forms part of a series of over forty panels presented to the church by the Marquis of Cholmondley in 1956. They were re-instated in a ventilated and temperature-controlled glazing scheme. The long-term survival of stained glass depends on keeping it safe and dry, and this is greatly improved by means of ventilated and temperature-controlled glazing – in other words a transparent, protective layer on the outside of the glass. The Glaziers’ Trust strongly supports the use of this form of protection and is pleased to receive applications of this kind.
Finally and looking forward, the Glaziers’ Trust is delighted to lend its support to the creation of a new window for Southwark Cathedral to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
For more information about the Glaziers’ Trust and The Worshipful Company of Glaziers www.worshipfulglaziers.com | 5,668 | 2,669 | 0.000384 |
warc | 201704 | Welcome to the first part of a series known as "Fix This." The aim of the series is to bring up some issues that are important to those who 'walk around Portland,' and are interested in the overall health of our city. I will try to do more than simply complain and maybe a few readers will agree with me and people 'in the know' will take note.
As a preface, please check out this post on the Exit 6 interchange here, on the Rights of Way blog. I don't in anyway intend to rip-off or lure readers from Christian's fine blog, which is an inspiration. Walk Around Portland will hopefully someday attract the same clientele but obviously will not be a copy-cat blog. Also, this particular post isn't about redesigning the entire interchange, as much as it is about certain aspects affecting non-vehicular traffic that should be addressed without incurring a major redesign of the area.
Ok, here it goes.
As you may know, the Exit 6 Interchange is the 6th exit off of I-295, which runs through the city of Portland. This interstate through Portland is a much bigger 'fix it,' which may be tackled at a later time. Here is a google map view of the Exit 6 interchange, which interchanges with Forest Avenue (Route 302):
From a pedestrian, ballsiest, jogger, or lost tourist looking for the Old Port perspective (any perspective besides an automobile driver) this interchange clearly disconnects travel from the Portland Peninsula and the rest of the city to the North and West. A few major destinations on the 'wrong side' of the interchange from downtown Portland include the University of Southern Maine campus and the Hannaford grocery store and plaza.
Here are some street level views from the interchange. Note that these were taken on a pretty quiet Saturday morning, so there aren't a lot of cars or pedestrians. This first photo is looking 'away' from town:
And this is from underneath the overpass looking in the opposite direction:
One important thing to note:
There are no 'yield to pedestrian' signs anywhere here. That will not solve these problems, but it is a cheap way to at least make some motorists aware that people exist and they need to cross the entrances and exits to the highway.
There are 4 ramps for vehicles getting on and off of I-295 on either side of the road. Two of those ramps have cars coming at you, and two of them have cars basically coming from behind you or to your direct right. I didn't see any speed limit signs through this section, but would assume it would be no greater than 35mph since it is in a dense section of town. Obviously, very few people obey speed limits so I would put the average speed through this area at closer to 40 or 45 miles per hour (roughly 65 kph for the metric system folk).
When you combine that with how few people use blinkers, the area is a dangerous one for anyone not riding in a car. Even the way the lanes are set up give you no indication of whether a car may be turning onto the on ramp or continuing straight. Often a car will simply 'bang a right' just as the on-ramp starts. Cars exciting the highway are easier to deal with, but similarly dangerous in that this is a busy interchange and motorists pay more attention to trying to merge than whether or not a pedestrian is trying to cross.
I have seen a few instances where a car, usually driven by a nice old lady, will come to a complete stop before turning onto an on-ramp to let a pedestrian across. Each time I have seen that, I have witnessed a near rear-end collision and several honks coming from the disgruntled vehicles behind this kind motorist. I don't believe that cars are inherently angry at pedestrians, but when traffic is not calmed in any way it is very pedestrian unfriendly. This interchange, at ground level, is for cars foremost and the sidewalks were clearly an afterthought.
Here we approach the intersection with Bedford Street on the left and Baxter Boulevard on the right, with the USM library on the left. Many students in particular pass through this interchange in order to get from the peninsula to their classes and back.
Here is an view from the USM library, showing part of the interchange:
The area around the interchange could take a few lessons from some surround areas. The intersection in the photo below, where Forest Ave, Bedford St, and Baxter Blvd intersect, was recently redone on the Bedford side to eliminate a turn-only lane with a yield sign, which makes it much easier to cross..
Also, Bedford Street itself was redone beautifully over the last year, complete with bike lanes, plantings and trees, sidewalks off of the street, and a friendly pedestrian crossing area for USM students.
And just a block East of Exit 6, the interstate travels over the Preble St. extension which connects Marginal Way and downtown to Baxter Boulevard. Fortunately for pedestrians, there are no ramps on or off the highway here. It was redone last year also, with improvements under the bridge (lighting makes a huge difference) and a friendly pedestrian crossing zone with flashing yellow lights that are only activated when a button is pressed. (One note about this picture, the bicyclists here get an 'F' grade for riding on the sidewalk, especially when there is a bike lane here).
So, to recap this long and rambling post:
1. The exit 6 interchange needs to be safer and more efficient for non-vehicular traffic to pass through. It is a major thoroughfare for pedestrians as well as vehicles and
it should be safe for everyone.
2. At the least,
signs should be installed to remind drivers exiting and entering the highway that they need to yield to pedestrian traffic.
3.
Lighting should be installed under the overpassto increase safety (or at least the feeling of safety) and the visibility of pedestrians at night.
That's all for now, thanks for reading! | 5,847 | 2,730 | 0.000368 |
warc | 201704 | By Ryan Ekvall | Wisconsin Reporter
MADISON —
Democrats and the Wisconsin news media pounced on a report from the Department of Public Instruction that showed 73 percent of students taking part in the first year of the statewide school choice-program were already enrolled in private schools last year. About 21 percent of students came from public schools.
“The Republican voucher scheme to expand statewide ended up overwhelmingly subsidizing students who were not in public schools,”
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said in a statement.
“Nearly 80 percent of voucher recipients didn’t attend a Wisconsin public school last year, the AP headline says.
Here’s what they didn’t tell you: The numbers don’t tell the whole story.
The timeline from when the private schools received word that they could participate in the voucher program to the when parents had to submit applications was both abbreviated and late in the summer, just weeks before the beginning of the new school year.
That timeline was so tight that DPI projected that some students may not find out whether they would receive vouchers until after school started.
Jim Bender, president of School Choice Wisconsin, told Wisconsin Reporter in August that a more accurate picture of the demand for the program will surface next year.
“(The enrollment period) was so abbreviated. Schools were informed July 26 that they can accept applications. Kids are already enrolled in public school for the next year,” he said. “Even so, applications from public school kids alone (503 out of 2,069) exceeded the cap.”
At that time, DPI projected 67 percent of kids in the statewide voucher program would come from private schools.
Gov. Scott Walker signed the budget, expanding the voucher program, July 1. Private schools wanting to participate in the program then had to do training and complete paperwork with DPI. Parents had only between Aug. 1 and Aug. 9 to apply for the opportunity to enroll children in the statewide voucher program.
Many administrators at the private schools we spoke with said they relied on their built-in networks of parents whose children already attend private school and the congregations of churches affiliated with the schools.
“We sent information to all the families that are already here,”
Karen Konop, director of admissions at Notre Dame de la Baie Academy in Green Bay, previously told Wisconsin Reporter. “We’ve sent letters out to everybody, we advertised on the marquee. A lot of it is word of mouth.”
“I’m hoping that all of the parents at my school that are eligible start applying,”
Tia Sierra, principal of Lighthouse Christian School in Madison, said in a previous interview. “I’ve been letting our church congregation know, using email and
Sierra said most of the families enrolled at Lighthouse Christian were low-income and would be eligible for vouchers. “It’s a perfect program for us,” she said.
“The primary reason we applied for the program was to give families in the area a chance where financial means might be a deterrent,” said
Ray DuBois, president of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic System in Appleton. “We know that a significant portion, probably 50 percent of the applicants, currently don’t attend a school in our system at this time, but are applying because of financial restraints.”
St. Francis Xavier received 193 applications for vouchers.
Private schools will host open houses and school fairs in February to recruit for the next school year. According to Bender, that’s the next meaningful gauge of demand for vouchers in Wisconsin. Private schools’ main enrollment periods are in February, March and April, he said.
Still, the Legislature has work to do if it wants to ensure that more public school students receive vouchers.
Before taking off for the summer, Republicans said the intent of the law was to give students in public schools preference for vouchers, and they would look to fix the language.
That hasn’t yet happened.
Speaker Robin Vos, R – Burlington, and Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R -Juneau, did not return requests for comment Thursday.
“I haven’t spoken to leadership about it,” said
Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R – Brookfield, “But I am optimistic we would be looking for additional solutions to that issue.” Contact reporter Ryan Ekvall at [email protected] or on Twitter @Nockian | 4,579 | 2,127 | 0.000495 |
warc | 201704 | What is Forex?
Forex, also known as foreign exchange, FX or currency trading, is a decentralized global market where all the world's currencies trade. The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average daily trading volume exceeding $5 trillion. There is no central exchange as it trades over the counter. Forex trading allows you to buy and sell currencies, similar to stock trading except you can do it 24 hours a day, five days a week, you have access to margin trading, and you gain exposure to international markets.
If you are living in the U.S. and want to buy cheese from France, either you or the company that you buy the cheese from has to pay the French for the cheese in euros (EUR). This means that the U.S. importer would have to exchange the equivalent value of U.S. dollars (USD) into euros. The same goes for traveling. A French tourist in Egypt can't pay in euros to see the pyramids because it's not the locally accepted currency. As such, the tourist has to exchange the euros for the local currency, in this case the Egyptian pound, at the current exchange rate. Example: How to trade Forex?
To be able to trade Forex successfully we will be looking at a few crucial components which will be the structure of your entire career as a trader.
Now imagine a chair with 4 legs and each leg represents a component, if one of the legs is weak, the chair will break under your weight and you’ll fall flat on your face. The same holds true in trading. If your structure on any of the four elements of trading is weak and you ignore it, there’s a good chance that it will cause you to lose out on your trade!
So let's begin looking at this 4 components:
Fundamental Analysis Trading Psychology Risk Management Technical Analysis Fundamental analysis is understanding the reason why the market is moving rather than identify when the move has happened.When we understand why something is happening we have more confidence in what we doing and if we can interpret how the market is thinking we have the potential to predict where the market it goes next. Technical analysis is used to attempt to forecast the price movement of virtually any tradable instrument that is generally subject to forces of supply and demand, including stocks, bonds, futures and currency pairs. In fact, technical analysis can be viewed as simply the study of supply and demand forces as reflected in the market price movements of a security. It is most commonly applied to price changes, but some analysts may additionally track numbers other than just price, such as trading volume or open interest figures. Risk Management is one of the most important topics you will ever read about trading. When you trade without risk management rules, you are in fact gambling. Risk management rules will not only protect you, but they can make you very profitable in the long run.The less you risk on a trade, the less your maximum drawdown will be. The more you lose in your account,the harder it is to make it back to breakeven.This means you should only trade only a small percentage of your account. The smaller the better. Trading Psychology refers to the aspects of an individual’s mental makeup that help determine whether he or she will be successful in buying and selling currencies for a profit. Trading psychology is as important as other attributes such as knowledge, experience and skill in determining trading success. Discipline and risk-taking are two of the most critical aspects of trading psychology, since a trader’s implementation of these aspects is critical to the success of his or her trading plan. While fear and greed are the two most commonly known emotions associated with trading psychology, other emotions that drive trading behavior are hope and regret.
At Wave Motion we offer a Mentoring Program for you to develop your skills and trade as a professional trader. But if you decide to make Forex only a part time job we highly recommend our Signals Program or our Forex Robot.
After all this has been said we wish you good luck in your trading career and after you become a wealthy trader come over and share your experience.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Lucas. | 4,229 | 2,008 | 0.000502 |
warc | 201704 | Commentary & Analysis Why Are Traditional Print Sales People Struggling With Business Development? Traditional print sales professionals continue to struggle with the business development process and companies of all sizes are trying to figure out their next moves. Building a next generation sales team doesn’t have to be that difficult if you design an effective work flow process.
By Jerry Scher
Published: November 26, 2013
As 2013 comes to a close and each of us considers how well we achieved the goals and objectives we set for the year, we are reminded of the myriad of challenges and obstacles that impacted our level of accomplishments. Throughout this year I have been sharing my thoughts about the specific challenges resulting from the many talent management issues that we cope with. This experience has motivated me to carefully study how the evolving role of the sales professional continuously impacts revenue generation strategies.
While too many companies continue to be taking a “business as usual” approach when it comes to their sales programs (and sales people) there are companies that are acting more proactively and searching for new approaches in their sales program structure as well as their search for the next generation of sales talent. When one studies this issue from a broader perspective, looking at a range of industries (not just printing), it becomes quite clear that this problem is much more wide spread.
The converging forces that appear to be driving the need for change include:
A dramatic change in buying behavior Changing role of the sales professional Shrinking markets requiring more business development versus account management More sophisticated client/sales consultant relationships Technological advances changing transactional buying/selling programs Technologies leveraged with marketing and lead generation Challenges created by a multi-generational workforce
And while the majority of current print sales people fall into the category of “transactional sellers” primarily focused on the products they sell and not their clients businesses, they lack the competence and motivation to change their selling behavior. But keep in mind, they are basically doing the job you hired them to do and many of them have performed admirably for many years. Unfortunately our industry has dramatically changed (as have so many industries) and the activities that sales people must engage in and competencies that are necessary are different than what we looked for in the past. In fact, so many of your sales people were hired based on an existing “book of business” without knowing how they actually attained their book of business.
Research supports changes
A great deal of research has been conducted to more carefully define the role of the sales person and the competencies they must possess. Traditional sales people were expected to solve technical problems but moving forward more and more clients are looking to their sales people for assistance in solving business problems. In fact they are looking for resources that can assist them in identifying problems that have not been uncovered thus far. This is a far more sophisticated process and requires not only knowledge about an industry but a thorough understanding of their clients business and how they generate revenue/profit. The competencies required to perform in this way are certainly different than what has been required in the past.
In Dan Pink’s book “To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others” he does a wonderful job of defining the process of influencing, motivating, convincing and moving others and the different skills/competencies that are required to effectively execute these processes. The author references the difference between
Irritation and Agitation. Irritation - challenging people to do something we want them to do. Agitation – challenging people to do something that they want to do. Consider how this differing perspective changes selling behavior. The ability to engage others in a process that assists them in uncovering new opportunities, helping them to define potential outcomes and leveraging strategies that address their needs (and not yours) can lead to exponential growth for both parties. An approach like this requires more sophisticated competencies than found in your traditional, transactional sales type.
If this makes sense to you but you are struggling with how to manage the necessary transition, I would like to offer a few suggestions.
Define Your Talent Management Work Flow
Throughout my work with a diverse group of clients I have continually observed a lack of well-defined processes for attracting, recruiting, hiring and on-boarding “best of class” talent. I’m referring to a well thought out and executed work flow. As an industry we focus heavily on developing efficient workflows for all of our manufacturing process; why not for talent recruitment and management?
The building blocks for acquiring talent and “building your bench” should include clearly defining the eligibility and suitability competencies to look for. Incorporating the use of validated and reliable assessment technology and the ability to conduct highly effective interviews are essential to your success. If you acknowledge that your future success will be dependent upon attracting the necessary talent to execute new and innovative strategies than designing your work flow is a critical component.
So What Competencies Should We Look For? Interpersonal Skills– The ability to facilitate and engage others in meaningful dialogue to uncover unforeseen challenges and opportunities. To proactively influence and motivate others to action when appropriate with a client focused mindset. Strategic Thinker– The desire and ability to employ a discovery process that considers a range of inhibiting and contributing factors as well facilitating a brainstorming approach. Ability to reflect on different viewpoints while carefully considering the potential consequences of a plan. Drive for Results– Take accountability for decision-making; ability to address issues rationally and in an organized manner. Innovative –Experiment with different ways of doing things while at the same time remaining focused on the desired objective; continually looking for new ways to accomplish goals. Resilience and Perseverance –Maintain a positive attitude even when faced with challenging situations; persist in spite of encountering obstacles or setbacks. Technological Proficiency– The ability to leverage a wide range of technological advances and tools. Social Networking and Prospecting– The ability to create and promote a digital brand, leverage the process to establish oneself as a sustainable resource and build an effective business development strategy through social networking. The Challenge
As you carefully define what competencies are important to your organization, you will have to identify the tools you will use to assess candidates so you can effectively predict an appropriate fit specific to each job. Technology is available today to provide extensive information about candidates that relate to behavioral competencies, work place preferences and interests. The ability to gather information about candidates easily and provide in depth, yet easy to understand narratives about candidates is not only available but it is economically feasible.
If you would like to learn about how companies are using Harrison Assessments™ Technology for assessing candidates for recruiting, assisting with career and succession planning as well as developing personalized development programs, reach out to Jerry Scher - jerry@peakfocuscoach.com or 404-931-9291 | 7,853 | 3,474 | 0.000293 |
warc | 201704 | For the first time in 15 years Windsor’s unemployment rate has dropped to 5.7 per cent.
“It’s excellent news,” Matt Marchand, president and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Friday.
The rate could drop even lower if the region focuses on getting people who have been unemployed for more than six months to a year back into the workforce as well as works on transportation to jobs in the growing manufacturing and agriculture sectors in Essex County, Marchand said.
“We can get even more aggressive and even drive that number lower with the amount of companies that we have now looking for people. We’re probably leaving about $500 million on the table right now,” he said of the estimate of investments Windsor-area companies could make if they knew they could get the workers.
There’s a shortage of skilled trade workers and labourers in general, Marchand said.
The Windsor-area jobless rate fell in September to 5.7 per cent, down slightly from 6.1 in August. The last time it was this low was February 2001.
A year ago in September the rate was 9.7 per cent.
For years the Windsor region held the title of unemployment capital of Canada and now has one of the lowest jobless rates in the country. Victoria, B.C., and Québec City have the lowest rate at 4.7 per cent. Vancouver and Guelph are at 4.9 per cent and Regina, Kitchener-Waterloo and Kingston are just lower than Windsor.
Vincent Ferrao, an analyst with Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, credits growth in manufacturing. There are about 5,000 more people working in manufacturing than a year ago, he said.
In September there were 40,700 people working in manufacturing in the Windsor area. A year ago that number was 35,900 people and back in September 2010, there were 29,000 manufacturing jobs, he said.
A big part of that growth is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles which has added about 1,200 jobs in the last year. Marchand said it’s important to get people back in the workforce because workers at some of the auto suppliers were able to get better paying jobs when FCA was hiring.
“Wonderful,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Friday of a jobless rate that is back to 2001 levels. “Clearly it’s great news. The unemployment rate continues to drop and I would say that the focus and the investments that we’ve made with respect to economic development are paying off. As well, this is also a big part of Chrysler’s continued growth in the community.”
Transportation has been an issue for jobs in the county. The city and the chamber met with employers in the Patillo Road area in Lakeshore recently to see if there’s a common time to consider adding a bus route.
The national unemployment rate is holding steady at seven per cent and the Ontario rate was 6.6 per cent in September. Calgary has the highest rate at 9.5 per cent.
June Muir, chief executive officer of the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor, said it’s good to see the rate drop but the centre is still seeing about 550 people a month looking for a job or help with resumes. In 2015 the average between January and September was 638 people a month. “That’s still a lot of people,” she said. | 3,275 | 1,576 | 0.000661 |
warc | 201704 | Connecticut ranks 27th among 50 states when it comes to pedestrian safety, according to Dangerous By Design, a new report compiled by the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America.
The report reveals that there were 351 pedestrian fatalities in Connecticut between 2003 and 2012. More than half -- 54.6 percent -- of those deaths occurred on arterial roads.
Stefanie Seskin, Deputy Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, said these roads were originally designed for automobile traffic, and not pedestrian concerns. "Typically," she said, "when these streets were planned and designed, they were meant for automobile traffic only. They lack good crosswalks, frequent crossings for people on foot, sidewalks, sometimes, and really tried to keep people driving going really fast."
Seskin recommends that transportation officials take simple measures to minimize the fatalities on arterial roads. "Build some sidewalks where they are missing," she said. "Make sure that you have frequent and short crossings for people, and then implement some traffic calming solutions where appropriate to keep those speeds in check."
Adults 65 and older accounted for 28.4 percent of the pedestrian fatalities, according to the report. Hispanics and African Americans were more likely than whites to be killed while walking.
Hartford led all major metropolitan areas in the state with 121 pedestrian deaths, and ranked 38th out of 51 metropolitan areas nationwide. Just this week, Governor Dannel Malloy signed into law a measure that would increase the penalty on reckless drivers who injure or kill pedestrians. | 1,654 | 863 | 0.001169 |
warc | 201704 | Legally, any type of mechanic can work on a diesel vehicle, because the professional duties an automotive mechanic can or cannot perform are not limited by professional licensing or other forms of government oversight. In practice, however, an employer is only going to hire a mechanic with specialized training to work on diesel vehicles. This is because diesel engines work differently than those that run on unleaded gasoline.
Training and Certification
While some diesel mechanics are trained on the job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employers prefer to hire diesel mechanics who already have formal postsecondary education related to the repair of diesel engines. Such programs typically last between six months and two years. In addition, employers also prefer to hire mechanics who are certified in the repair of diesel engines. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers more than 30 specialty certifications for diesel technicians.
CDL Requirements
When a mechanic is going to be working primarily on large diesel vehicles such as tractor trailer trucks, buses or mobile construction equipment, an employer may require the mechanic to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL). This is so he legally can test drive the vehicles being repaired.
Photo Credits Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images | 1,340 | 707 | 0.001422 |
warc | 201704 | Business analysts work in a variety of areas, such as management, marketing, sales, investment or risk management. While a bachelor’s degree is required for entry to most analyst positions, many employers prefer to hire business analysts with a graduate-level education. For those planning to advance to a top analyst position, a master’s degree is necessary.
Management Analysts
Management analysts work to improve a company's profitability by reducing expenses, eliminating waste and developing new methods and processes to perform work in the organization. The analyst evaluates the company's financial data and job processes, interviews workers and makes recommendations to management. Analysts may work as independent consultants, for a consulting firm or in the organization they analyze. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management analysts may qualify for an entry-level position with a bachelor's degree, but some employers prefer job candidates with a master's degree. The bureau reports that 28 percent of management analysts in 2010 had a graduate degree.
Marketing Analysts
Business analysts who focus on marketing data help businesses determine the products customers want and the price they are willing to pay. Marketing analysts study the success or failure of previous marketing strategies and programs, consumer behavior and market trends to develop information companies can use to sell their products. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most marketing analysts require a bachelor’s degree to enter the field, but advanced positions require a master’s degree. Master’s programs in business, marketing or marketing research are useful in the field.
Budget Analysts
Budget analysts help businesses prepare budget reports, organize the company’s finances and evaluate management budgets for accuracy. They may consult with businesses and government agencies. Such analysts evaluate past budgets and current data to determine if spending cuts are necessary or to assess distribution of excess funds. The work these analysts perform provides the information top executives need to make budget decisions for the business. Some employers require a master’s degree for this position. Degree programs in finance, accounting, business or economics are helpful for a career as a budget analyst.
Financial, Investment and Risk Analysts
Financial and investment analysts help businesses make decisions regarding investments. Analysts study economic trends, financial statements, sales, expenses and tax information to create reports for investors. Some analysts focus on an industry, type of product or geographic location. Financial analysts may work as portfolio managers or risk analysts. Portfolio managers oversee the investment portfolio for businesses. Risk analysts assess the risk of investments to help a business minimize potential losses. Advanced positions as an investment or risk analyst require a master’s degree in business, finance, accounting or economics.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: What Management Analysts Do U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Management Analyst U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Market Research Analyst U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: What Market Research Analysts Do U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: What Budget Analysts Do U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Budget Analyst U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Financial Analyst U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: What Financial Analysts Do Photo Credits Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images | 3,623 | 1,397 | 0.000726 |
warc | 201704 | According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, makeup artists earned a median annual wage of $63,710, and top earners made more than $120,000 per year, as of May 2011. Celebrity makeup artist Leora Edut of New York City says that training is part of a trifecta to ensure success as a pro in her business. You also need hard work and a connection with your inner artist. “Beyond colors and textures, makeup has so much to do with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone,” she says.
Attend a formal makeup school to learn basic techniques. According to two-time Emmy-winning makeup artist Kevin J. Bennett: “There are amazing makeup schools in the U.S. such as Make-Up Designory -- better known as 'MUD,' EI School, Cinema Makeup School and Joe Blasco.”
Supplement formal training with private lessons, workshops and seminars taught by industry heavyweights. Courses in art, editorial makeup and special effects techniques can help fine tune your craft and save you from making novice mistakes on the job. For example, transparent high-definition finishing powder becomes fully visible on film when flash photography is used instead of an HD camera -- a rather basic detail taught in an HD beauty course, yet quite an unfortunate lesson to learn with your first bridal client.
Seek mentorships with the best makeup artists with whom you can connect in the industries where you wish to work. Consider whether you want to be a retail, wedding, salon, print, theatrical and performance or celebrity artist. Reach out to makeup artists in these areas, introduce yourself and inquire about training opportunities.
Volunteer to lend a hand with another professional artist and learn on the job. Of her former students, Edut says, “Many began as my assistants and then spread their wings and went off to begin their own businesses!”
Read books and check out YouTube tutorial videos to brush up on makeup styles, tools and techniques. Learning the particular products and tricks recommended for use on magazine, TV and video shoots will help you understand how the makeup will translate and perform after a client leaves your chair.
Tip Imagining your ideal work environment can help you plan your career path so that you can align your next training steps toward that goal. Photo Credits Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images | 2,365 | 1,274 | 0.000798 |
warc | 201704 | I’m honored that you’re reading this. Even if you’re here because you’re avoiding doing that other thing. You know — the thing that has been on your to-do list for a couple days.
Why don’t I mind being used for procrastination? Well, basically, procrastination is a reward for not doing something unpleasant. Like work. So you’re saying my post is a reward…something pleasant.
Like I said, I’m honored.Popular search terms for this article:
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battling procrastination
When was the last time your e-mail inbox was empty?
I can’t remember either. I know the
Getting Things Done gurus say it’s an essential step to reaching productive nirvana. But I just can’t reach it.
But look at it. I have less than 20 e-mails stashed in my inbox. The bulk are part of an e-course on content marketing that I subscribed to. And as soon as I’m done with this blog post, I’m reading all of them.
Promise.
I confess that this doesn’t happen every day. Who has time for that? Click Here to Read Article …
Good home office plans can influence how successful you are while working from home.
This means having the resources to get the job done, minimizing distractions and being comfortable.
Home office plans go beyond a floor plan for your office furniture and equipment(although some are mentioned below). You need to take into consideration the following elements:
A Door
You need a door so you can shut it. It will help you keep the distractions on one side and a productive environment on the other.
This isn’t automatic. Your family needs to know what that shut door means. And they need to come to an understanding of when it’s OK to knock on it. Which is something you’re going to have to figure out for yourself. Don’t let me tell you know what’s important enough to merit your attention.
The door also sets a boundary that separates your office from the rest of the house. It reinforces the concept that the office and what’s inside is for your business — and not for school projects or building forts. (Filing cabinets look like the building blocks of a good foundation…)Popular search terms for this article:
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Why am I using this paper notebook for notetaking? It may surprise those of you who have been following my work here, especially since I’m one of the biggest cheerleaders for digital publishing and blogging. Sure enough, my messenger bag carries three digital devices for reading, writing and entertainment. But mixed in with my iPod, Droid cellphone and MacBook Pro is a Moleskine notebook: black cover, ruled sheets, pocket in the back.
Why You Need a Notebook
It’s like collecting puzzle pieces. Use your notebook to store the pieces. Then put them together when you have time.
And you’re going to need less time than you think if you keep a good notebook.
Also, the fact you’re taking notes will help you retain the information. You may not need to refer to your notebook as much as you think because your memory for the noted information is better.Popular search terms for this article:
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Do you know the definition of an expert? An expert is defined as:
“…a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field.”
That means that if you gain more skill and knowledge in your workplace in a particular area, it’s possible that people at work could consider you an expert. And that includes your boss. It is this expert status could be what it takes to get you better work assignments, raises and promotions.
It really isn’t that hard to become an expert. Remember — it’s all relative. Here are three steps you can take to become an expert at work.Popular search terms for this article:
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Thanks to the Internet, work doesn’t mean being confined to the office. Laptops and phones have become powerful enough to allow us to complete tasks while traveling. This means freelancers and entrepreneurs can turn just about any location into a work station. Even if you work for someone else, you have a lot of flexibility in where you work. It also means a major productivity boon if you’re traveling on business. At just about any point in your travels, you can get work done — just as long as you’re not driving. Click Here to Read Article …
Congratulations on the promotion. You’re going to be a great boss. We’re going to love working for you. And the company will thrive…
You don’t look like you’re believing me.
All right…you’ve got me. I’m just trying to make you feel better. That doesn’t mean you’re going to be a bad boss. Look, I’ve been in your shoes — and your office. It’s not easy. That’s why I’m back in the trenches. You can do better, though, with a few management tips. I’m about to share the most important management advice I learned in my time as a manager.Popular search terms for this article:
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I can’t wait for the holiday party, either. The food is good. Everyone seems to have a good time. It’s a great way to actually relax with the people at work.
I have a new holiday tie picked out for the occasion. Rudolph’s nose actually glows. Hey, it’s the holiday party. There’s room for some frivolity in the dress code. But I’m drawing the line at antlers.
I even did some homework on holiday party small talk. Mingle all the way.
Click Here to Read Article …
I hope you’re not reading this blog at the Thanksgiving table. Come on. Don’t you have anything better to do? Like being thankful and being with family?
Okay, maybe you’re not. But I bet you’re tempted to check your email while everyone slips into a tryptophan coma. While you’re at it, why not tweet that funny joke your nephew told at dinner? What’s the harm of seeing how your Facebook friends are enjoying their holiday? Maybe no one will notice or mind, but there’s a real good chance someone’s going to notice and take offense.
Click Here to Read Article …
Do you want to your writing to be more memorable?
Forget about crafting beautiful prose. Trim your memos, presentations and e-mails with bullet points.
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The best notebook for you depends on how you think and organize. The same goes for online note taking. There are a lot of options.
But I’ve been using WordPress blogs to take notes when I have Internet access. Why?
Access notes from anywhere WordPress is a great writing app Notes are searchable Categories and tags help you organize thought Turn notes into blog entries
Click Here to Read Article …Popular search terms for this article:
wordpress notebook, online notebook, online wordpress tutorial, wordpress as a notebook, notebook wordpress, notebook online | 8,113 | 3,355 | 0.000316 |
warc | 201704 | Today's post was shared by RWJF PublicHealth and comes from www.marketplace.org
Instead of asking you to talk about the pain in your foot, or the ache in your chest, health care workers are starting to ask you about...your story.
There’s an emerging idea in health care that social and psychological conditions -- like poverty and chronic stress -- change how your body and brain work, and that can have damaging long-term effects on your health.
Doctors and nurses from northern California to Camden, N.J., are beginning to see that the
first step in treating these patients is often treating the part of the illness that’s not on the surface. Patients like 30-year-old Elizabeth Philkill.
For years, she'd kept her past buried inside. “Some things you do not expose. It’s a judgmental world,” she said.
But in a quiet room with Renee Murray -- a nurse and a virtual stranger -- Philkill finally told the story that she'd shared with only two people in her life.
She told Murray, she'd been sexually abused for years as a child. And that one night a few months ago, she'd had a terrible dream that forced her back to those days. And that she wanted to forget. Fast.
So she made the call. "I called to get me some wet. I made it through it, bam,” she said.
Nurse Murray, who runs a program for underserved pregnant women in a Camden, knew what the drug could do.
“'Wet' is marijuana with PCP dipped in formaldehyde and you smoke it. You are not on our earth anymore when you are high on wet.”
Philkill was three months pregnant at the...
…. Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson). For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses. | 1,981 | 1,085 | 0.000955 |
warc | 201704 | Memory and the “dual coding” theory How mental associations and imagination can help your study
The images are easier to remember than words that recall abstract concepts because, unlike the latter (which only make use of verbal encoding), the former has a double coding: verbal and imaginative [1]. Words such as "table", "notebook" are encoded by our cognitive system, both at the verbal and imaginative level, while abstract words like "epistemology" or "notwithstanding" are mostly only recorded verbally.
Dual coding theory
In scientific psychology the dual coding theory is inspired by Allan Paivio studies: «Dual-coding theory posits that nonverbal and verbal information are stored separately in long term memory. Dual coding theory is complemented by the theory of Alan Baddeley, in which working memory is divided into a visuo-spatial sketchpad and a phonological loop. [2]» The visuo-spatial sketchpad is the store that holds visual information for manipulation; whereas the phonological loop (or “articulatory loop”) deals with phonological information or sounds. «It consists of two parts: a short-term phonological store with auditory memory traces that are subject to rapid decay and an articulatory rehearsal component (sometimes called the articulatory loop) that can revive the memory traces)» [3].
To make tangible also the abstract concepts we must therefore create images (according to the associative criteria already set and other methodologies that we will show) that represent them to us. In other words: where a concept has a merely verbal connection in our mind, we will put an adequate and coherent image able to create a new imaginative link; a new bridge with the word that denotes the concept. In this way an abstract thought becomes more concrete. By doing so, we are going to structure two bonds (one verbal and one imaginative) that will make us more familiar with abstract concepts. The fundamental principle should therefore be to attribute the words to the images. It doesn’t always have to be so, but only when the words don’t arouse the images automatically in us. It is even better to associate images to other images, at least when it’s possible given that a linguistic component is nearly always present in our thinking. However, it is rightly so for a lot of reasons, the first of them is that our thought is a discursive thought, the language is the principal medium (connection) between abstract concepts and concrete images.
An abstract thought, to be understood and to be explained to the other, needs a lot of words that describe it in an understandable way. To the contrary an image is intelligible in itself. It doesn’t have to refer to another thing to be understandable and memorable; so a complex thought can be easily stored by images, as long as the link between image and concept is clear to anyone who establishes it. In this way the word epistemology can be easily stored through the image of a scientist (e.g. Einstein) reading a book on whose cover is written “philosophy”.
The representations also should always refer to as many sensory channels as possible (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, olfactory), so going to strengthen the double bond between image and word. So doing, we can obtain a greater number of connective elements with the concept. If I think about a rose and want to connect the word “love” to this flower, I will have to think about not merely the image of the rose, but also of the smell and velvety feeling I get when I caress its petals. Here, I have made two very simple examples (epistemology and love), perhaps trivial, but other kinds of connections (starting from much more complex examples) can be made using the same criteria.
Visualization, reification, eidetic memory and synaesthesia
The visualization of thoughts is very important. If we have to remember a concept we form an image of it, or something relating to it, in our minds. An image that exists only in our minds. But, that image is then seen as if it were actually before our eyes, as if it were actually present there in front of us. In the art of memory the reification (i.e. mentally transforming abstract concepts into concrete images and giving them life as if they were actually real) is a phenomenon very close to the production of eidetic fantasies. In psychology eidetism [4] is defined as a phenomenon that occurs especially among children when they see unreal things and characters that do not exist as if they were actually present.
Awareness distinguishes eidetic images from hallucinations. In the art of memory we have to use these kinds of fantasies to recall things and concepts. In the art of memory these fantasies must be created voluntarily, not produced spontaneously. We should always imagine things as if they were true. The mnemonist must be exercised to see their fantasies: if he should remember to "take the keys" when he leaves the house, he must strive to see them and feel their weight, he must give to his own mind the strength to perceive “nearly” really what, in truth, is only in his imagination. However, if the mnemonist has this strong ability to imagine things, he has also the power to change these images. The ability to modify the imaginary objects goes hand in hand with the capacity to represent them; so not only we can help our memory by creating mental images
ad hoc, but we can also adapt these images more and more to the subjects, topics etc. we have to learn. So, in our memory an object can have qualities and characteristics that in reality it doesn’t have. In the first instance the mnemonist must imagine how many more perceptual features an object can have. Then, he must be able to change these characteristics to the needs that emerge from the analysis of the material that he has to learn.
All of this can lead the mnemonist to use imaginary objects that have different and sometimes inappropriate characteristics compared to the real objects from which he was inspired. When this happens an important role is played by synaesthesia understood as a figure of speech. It is a device where one sense is described in terms of another and so specific sensory qualities of objects are mixed and confused with other qualities. We can find a lot of examples in the ordinary language and in literature: “warm/cool colours”, “the smell of money”, “taste of revenge” and so on. Synaesthesia is also a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway [5]. The artist of memory is definitely a visionary, but aware of it! In the natural mnemonist this awareness is very attenuated. On the other hand, synaesthesia is a fact, and is quite common, although in attenuated doses. Sereševskij, a subject studied by Lurjia, had an amazing ability to quickly create mental images, but he was not well aware of the synaesthetic function of his memory: «Presented with a tone pitched at 2,000 cycles per second and having an amplitude of 113 decibels, Sereševskij said: “It looks something like fireworks tinged with a pink-red hue. The strip of colour feels rough and unpleasant, and it has an ugly taste – rather like that of a briny pickle . . . You could hurt your hand on this.” [...] “Even numbers remind me of images. Take the number 1. This is a proud, well-built man; 2 is a high-spirited woman...”» [6].
In conclusion, we can say that our memory can be enhanced using the imagination. The images must be well defined (though not excessively, in order to avoid unnecessary overloading), but we must also modify them and give them characteristics that can link them to the concepts we want to store.
Notes:
[1] The reference to the dual coding theory is merely illustrative of an elementary principle in the psychology of mnemonics; for a broader insight into the topic you can start by consulting the following works: A. Paivio, Imagery and verbal processes, New York, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1971; A. Paivio, Mental representations: a dual coding approach, Oxford England, Oxford University Press, 1986. [2] From Wikipedia encyclopaedia entry “Allan Paivio”, saved Saturday, July 30th, 2016. [3] From Wikipedia encyclopaedia entry “Baddeley's model of working memory”, saved Saturday, July 30th, 2016. [4] We must not confuse eidetism and eidetic memory. The latter is a photographic memory: «is an ability to vividly recall images from memory after only a few instances of exposure, with high precision for a brief time after exposure, without using a mnemonic device. Although the terms eidetic memory and photographic memory may be used interchangeably, they are also distinguished, with eidetic memory referring to the ability to view memories like photographs for a few minutes, and photographic memory referring to the ability to recall page or text numbers, or similar, in great detail. In the case of distinguishing the concepts, eidetic memory has been documented while photographic memory is a popular culture myth that has never been demonstrated to exist.» From Wikipedia encyclopedia entry Eidetic memory, saved Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016. [5] Cytowic, Richard E. (2002). Synesthesia: A Union of the Senses (2nd edition). Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. [6] A. R. Luria, The Mind of a Mnemonist: A Little Book about a Vast Memory, Harvard university press, 1968, pp. 23, 30. | 9,646 | 4,243 | 0.000241 |
warc | 201704 | For decades Americans have worried about our dependence on foreign oil and gas. By 2005 we were importing 60% of our energy, but in 2008 a new technology called horizontal hydrologic fracturing or “fracking” raised the promise of energy independence.
U.S. crude production is up 50% and imports have fallen 35%. But getting oil from a massive shale deposit in North Dakota to refineries is raising serious concerns about public safety.
Every day, 800,000 barrels of crude oil are loaded into tank cars in North Dakota, headed for places like Yorktown, Virginia where it’s transferred to barges bound for refineries along the East Coast. Some of these trains are more than a hundred cars long, and the American Association of Railroads is worried. Spokesman Patricia Reilly says many of the cars leased to carry crude are old and were not designed for the job.
"They don’t have pressure release valves. They don’t have the full thermal jacket, they don’t have full heat shields on either end. They’re very vulnerable to accidents, and they’re carrying the volatile gases that we’ve seeing coming out of the Bakken Shale formation these days, and that’s where it’s a bad combination."
Companies that produce or refine crude oil agree. Charlie Drevna is with the American Petrochemical Manufacturers Association:
“My industry has already petitioned the Department of Transportation to certify a more advanced car – more robust structure, better relief valves, all those kind of things.”
And the federal government has advised railroads and shippers to avoid the older tank cars when carrying crude oil, but with so much of the stuff produced in North Dakota, companies that lease cars may be reluctant to take any out of service. What’s more U.S. Senator Mark Warner told a forum in Richmond that those firms may not have the money to replace an estimated 80,000 older tank cars known as DOT-111s.
"From 2008 to 2013, the amount of crude being transported has increased 46 fold. 76 – You’ve got the folks who produce the oil making a lot of money. You’ve got the railroads who are doing pretty well as well – 46 times increase in the amount of volume, but + the people who own the rail cars are a totally separate group. It’s kind of a leasing and ownership operation on the rail cars, so they don’t have the same kind of resources.”
Regardless of the cost, the federal government is likely to propose a timetable for retiring the old DOT-111’s. Look for that by year’s end, but remember this footnote. Cynthia Quarterman, who heads the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, says sturdier cars won’t prevent future accidents like the one that killed 47 people in Quebec.
"They are not crash proof. I don’t think we’re going to see a tank car that can withstand a crash like the one that occurred in Lac Megantic with tank cars going 60 miles per hour. So it’s one piece of the problem."
The federal government and the railroads have agreed to lower the speed limit to 40 miles per hour for trains carrying Bakken Crude through 46 metropolitan areas -- none of them in Virginia, but critics note the Lynchburg train derailed at 24 miles per hour. True, says Federal Railway Administrator Joe Szabo, but only one car exploded.
"There’s not significant risk when it’s a single tank car that ruptures. When you have a piling up, that’s where your risk grows for a more serious event."
So the feds and the railroads have also agreed to improve braking methods to try and prevent pile-ups in the event of a crash. In Lynchburg, however, the accident was likely caused by another problem – the rail itself.
In our next report, we’ll explain how tracks are maintained in Virginia, and why doubling down on inspections may not prevent future calamities. Click here information about the CSX notice sent to Virginia's Department of Emergency Management, listing communities through which Bakken is passing. | 4,097 | 1,991 | 0.000526 |
warc | 201704 | SOUTH ELGIN, IL, December 14, 2013
/24-7PressRelease/
-- Patients who have orthodontic issues or missing teeth have a number of solutions at their disposal. Most don't even realize that certain orthodontic problems can be resolved with simple temporary devices. One issue that patients sometimes have is that they need to preserve a space between the teeth, usually at the back, to avoid having the other teeth move around unnecessarily.
Dr. Rick Brar, dentist in South Elgin, of Brar Dentistry wants his patients to be informed about the benefits of getting space maintainers as a temporary orthodontic or cosmetic solution. It is fairly affordable and simple to install. Young children who lose their baby teeth and adults who lose teeth due to injury or poor dental health commonly benefit from space maintainers.
More About Space Maintainers
Common reasons for missing teeth include injury, natural loss of baby teeth and untreated gum disease. Even a small space between the teeth can cause serious cosmetic dental issues, so when an entire tooth is missing, that can cause extensive orthodontic complications. When there's a gap in certain places in the mouth, the teeth tend to settle toward the space instead of maintaining their original positions. That can cause a crooked smile and gapping in more undesirable places.
A space maintainer is a device that Dr. Brar can custom design to fill a temporary space in the mouth. It is made of plastic or stainless steel and looks similar to a retainer, except it is small enough to fit between two (or more) teeth. It anchors to a tooth on one side and then settles against the edge of the tooth on the other side of the gap. The patient can insert or remove it as needed though it is advisable to keep it in as long as possible until the missing tooth is replaced or bridged. In South Elgin, orthodontic devices, such as a custom space maintainer, can be made and installed in just a couple of visits.
"This device is extremely simple to create and use. It can prevent a number of future problems with the positioning of a patient's teeth," he explains.
For orthodontics, South Elgin residents are encouraged to visit his website at www.brardentistry.com
to request an appointment or call his office for more information. While patients are online, check out Dr. Brar's social media pages and Google+ page- https://plus.google.com/102224869221030688465/posts-to
stay connected and up-to-date with Dr. Brar and his dentistry practice.
Dr. Brar and his dental team look forward to meeting new patients who live in South Elgin and the surrounding areas.
Media Contact:
Brar Dentistry South Elgin
contactus@brardentistry.com
300 Randall Road
South Elgin, IL 60177
(630) 883-0200
http://www.brardentistry.com/
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warc | 201704 | [caption id="attachment_203" align="alignleft" width="135" caption="Michael Gerber"][/caption] Michael Gerber : League of Extraordinary Minds Expert Panelist Michael E. Gerber has spent his life understanding and improving the world of the Entrepreneur. This passion led to the founding of E-Myth Worldwide in 1977 to transform the way that small business owners do the work of growing their companies. Having coached, taught, and trained over 50,000 small businesses in 145 countries, Michael has become the world’s preeminent small business guru. He has now founded In the Dreaming Room. He lives in Carlsbad, California. The Small Business Revolution Has an Impassioned Leader
Every revolution has a leader…to awaken the spirit, to champion the cause, to lead the charge! Business visionary, entrepreneur, best-selling author and Chairman of E-Myth Worldwide, Michael Gerber has been leading a Small Business Revolution before anyone knew there was one! He called it The E-Myth Revolution, and over the past two decades, he has indelibly touched hundreds of thousands of small business owners throughout the world with his brilliantly insightful, original E-Myth message.
Michael Gerber’s E-Myth Point of View embodies his commitment to personal growth and the realization that a business owner’s purpose in life can be actualized through his or her business. Michael Gerber’s efforts, his message–his very life’s work has been to empower business owners to gain more freedom, more money, more time, and more life.
Rise Above the Tyranny of Work to Find Freedom & Joy
Documented in his mega-best seller
The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, Michael Gerber’s E-Myth Point of View provides those typically enslaved by a business with a way out of what he calls “the tyranny of routine.” Dragging down the owner’s entrepreneurial spirit, this tyranny is the dull, repetitive work Michael Gerber refers to as doing-it, doing-it, doing-it. The E-Myth powerfully describes how to rise above that tyranny of routine to build a flourishing, exciting, innovative business.
But The E-Myth is much more than just a book! After intensive research and hundreds of thousands of hours testing essential business development principles, practices and systems, Michael Gerber successfully created a programmatic method that works for anyone determined to improve the condition of his or her business. As a result, The E-Myth is now a process, a system, a model which can be implemented in any small business–and when implemented–will provide freedom and joy for the owners, employees and staff.
The E-Myth Point of View Reaches Out to the World Michael Gerber has taken his methodology and message on the road, addressing business audiences throughout North America, the Pacific Rim, Europe and beyond about how to start their own personal revolution. Since the 1970s, he has served as keynote speaker, telling his compelling story to a variety of corporations, organizations, professional associations, franchises and independent business owners.
Besides speaking to business audiences, Michael Gerber expresses The E-Myth Point of View through his highly-acclaimed business books, audio tapes, videos, radio and television broadcasts. His book,
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, (HarperBusiness), is licensed in 16 languages and has gone into its tenth printing. Selling over a million copies, The E-Myth Revisited has been named one of the top business best sellers. Gerber has also authored The Power Point (HarperBusiness), The E-Myth Manager: Why Management Doesn’t Work and What to Do About It (HarperBusiness), and The E-Myth Contractor: Why Most Contractors’ Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It (HarperBusiness), The E-Myth Physician : Why Most Medical Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It (HarperBusiness) and his latest book E-Myth Mastery : The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company.
Michael Gerber’s firm,
E-Myth Worldwide, brings low-cost, high-impact consulting to the small business owner, and is the pioneer in long distance “telecoaching.”
Let Michael Gerber speak for you at your next event! Contact him for date availability and booking information, or call us at
(707) 778-2286 | 4,446 | 2,025 | 0.000509 |
warc | 201704 | Harmonizing accounting standards among the United States and 95 other countries means agreeing to a common language for financial reporting.
Cougar Mountain has all the features of the high-end accounting products at an affordable price. Fully integrated modules including our award-winning Point of Sale product mean you only enter data once - saving time and ensuring accuracy. Cougar Mountain is the answer for small to mid-sized businesses that have outgrown their initial accounting package.
Learn more!
Cougar Mountain Home Cougar Mountain Accounting Sign up for a Web Demo Cougar Mountain Point of Sale Request a Call Cougar Mountain FUND
The task has been understandably daunting, made even more so because of differing opinions about whether to focus on principles, as promoted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), or rules, used in the U.S., Reuters reported. Accounting rule-makers will meet next month to discuss the issue.
"We're about to discuss with the United States how to write future standards. If we're writing joint standards we have to have a model," Sir David Tweedie, chairman of the IASB, told Reuters.
The IASB is pushing for global adoption of its standards, with the U.S. set to come on board by 2007. Global standards would make it easier for companies who are listed in both Europe and the United States to create one set of financial reports, rather than two. Investors could also benefit from the the new, consistent International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Rules provide certainty - it's clear whether companies are following the law. The U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) points out that its rules are based on principles.
"Our Chairman, Robert Herz is an American but also an English Chartered accountant who, as well documented, is a big supporter of the principles-based approach," said Gerard Carney, FASB spokesman.
Coming to agreement on the approach is one thing; implementing new rules is also difficult. The IASB's standards have already been adopted in the European Union, and countries in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union.
Trending
Insurance giant Aviva, for example, released interim results under IFRS last month. In the first phase, accounting treatment changed for 17 percent of its life insurance business and none of its general insurance business. Implementing the second phase will be a huge task for the insurance industry, Accountancy Age reported.
“We don't yet know what the standard will look like, but it could be considerably different from current accounting practice and require significant work and change,” said John Breckenridge, acting head of taxation and accounting at the Association of British Insurers.
Accountancy Age is producing briefings on IFRS conversion:
IFRS update - a management briefing produced in conjunction with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the briefing details implementation of the standards across Europe. Internal controls - a management briefing produced in conjunction with KPMG, the briefing describes the potential of internal control. IFRS update 2 - a management briefing produced in conjunction with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the briefing offers the latest updates. | 3,276 | 1,562 | 0.000646 |
warc | 201704 | Though this entry isn't as provocative as the title might lead some to believe, for those of us with dogs, you may notice your dog licking and biting their paws from time to time. There are a few reasons why they do this, and as a recent piece posted at NorthJersey.com suggests, it may be due to allergies.
_I notice my dog, Cotton, licks his paws from time to time, but then I've also noticed that he's very particular about his feet. Specifically, he doesn't care much for you touching them or getting them wet. I really don't pay that much attention to my own, but since he is much shorter and has four of them, I assume that he likely takes many more steps throughout the course of the day. Thus, I reason he's ‘on his feet’ more than I(not to mention barefoot). Regardless, what can cause your dog to lick his/her paws can sometimes be allergies.
_There are three main types of allergies that can be the culprit, flea, food and environmental. Flea allergies seem fairly obvious. When your dog comes in contact with fleas or flea saliva, they will dig and itch at the point of contact. Vets will always recommend sometime of monthly flea control, and while I've never been a fan of applying topical insecticides or pesticides directly to Cotton's skin, I do use the pet shampoo by Ecology Works, and that keeps him flea-free throughout the year. So whether you go with a shampoo or medication, keeps tick and flea repellents in mind.
_The next two causes may be somewhat less obvious. Of the two, environmental allergies are a bit easier to spot since this culprit will likely be seasonal in nature – noticeable during the warmer months with the licking and biting tapering off during the winter. Since most dogs are 99% hair factories, the paws are places where allergens can most directly affect exposed skin. I can imagine that if I never wore shoes, from time to time, my feet would likely come in contact with a few unsavory things that would make me want to scratch them too!
_The last culprit is food allergies. This may be the case if your dog is licking and biting his paws all year round. While the ingredient list is most dog foods is as long as a monthly grocery list, it can be difficult to pin down what's causing it, but in working with your vet, you can try a few different types of protein bases to begin eliminating what ingredients may be causing the reaction. As the article suggests, you may try a dog food with a protein base of venison or rabbit. Test a few different types and see if you begin to notice a difference. In more severe cases your vet can run your dog through a variety of allergy tests to help you narrow down the list of culprits.
_In the case of seasonal allergies your vet can prescribe antihistamines and you can also try avoidance. Though, the latter can be difficult if your dog typically spends a fair amount of time outdoors.
_I'm not sure if Cotton has allergies. I tend to think he is a bit like a feline since he usually starts the licking and cleaning right after bath time or if he has had the unfortunate luck of going outside when it was raining. I had never given thought to an allergic reaction being the cause for this, but if nothing else, it gives me something to keep an eye on and directly discuss with the vet on his next visit.
_Author: Kevin Gilmore | 3,341 | 1,624 | 0.00062 |
warc | 201704 | Reclassification Never Felt So Good: Improving Accessibility to the Education Resource Collection at SNHU By Brooke Gilmore and Steve Robichaud, Southern New Hampshire University
In 2009, it became clear that the Education Resource Collection (ERC) in the Shapiro Library at Southern New Hampshire University needed retooling. This self-contained collection had low circulation and was not easily understood by the School of Education’s faculty or students. Changes needed to be made.
Background
Southern New Hampshire University’s School of Education was established in 2003 when the university absorbed the education programs of the now nonoperational Notre Dame College. At this same time, the Shapiro Library acquired the entirety of Notre Dame College’s Curriculum Library Collection (now the Education Resource Collection) in order to provide necessary resource support to the School of Education students, faculty, and staff as well as meet accreditation standards.
This blanket acquisition of approximately 7,000 items included pre- and in-service teaching materials, K–12 textbooks and curriculum guides, children’s literature (fiction and non-fiction), certification test preparation guides, and curriculum kits. Due to the immediate need to provide substantial resources to support the new education programs, the Shapiro Library did not have the time or resources to conduct a thorough review of the incoming collection before putting it on the shelves.
The Education Resource Collection was (and remains) housed as a self-contained collection in the library. The collection was originally cataloged in the Library of Congress Classification System to remain consistent with the rest of the University Library’s classification scheme. The distinguishing factor between “Main Collection” education-related materials (i.e., the “L” section), and the materials housed in the ERC is research-based vs. materials of a practical nature, and titles geared towards children and young adults.
The Problem
Low circulation counts and feedback from education faculty and students suggested that both the quality and organization of ERC materials needed to be examined. We began the ERC improvement project with a large-scale deselection of dated, irrelevant, and worn-out materials. In collaboration with the School of Education faculty, the library determined that the collection of “kits” was no longer relevant to the school’s curriculum and could be discarded without replacement. Approximately 1,000 items were discarded from the collection during this evaluation.
We also discovered that the organization of the collection was confusing to users; students and faculty were unaware of the contents and purpose of the collection. Children’s literature, curriculum guides, professional teaching materials, and all other material types were shelved together via the LC system. After visiting other academic libraries with curriculum materials centers we decided that it made more sense to feature subcollections of materials within the ERC. This arrangement better reflects the organization of the school libraries our Education students will be working with in the future. In addition to separating out the children’s and young adult literature from the professional teaching materials, the library decided to reclassify those items into the Dewey Decimal Classification System.
The Process
Technical Services Librarian Steve Robichaud took a number of steps to help prepare for the reclassification project. He purchased the library a subscription to Web Dewey and began to refamiliarize himself with the Dewey Decimal System. He, along with Reference Librarian and School of Education Liaison Brooke Gilmore, visited another local college’s Education Resource Collection and spoke with their library’s Technical Services Department staff about how to handle workflows for different ERC materials. After this visit, it became clear that the reclassification project would require more than just Dewey. Going forward, it was decided that all children’s nonfiction would be reclassed using Dewey Decimal Classification. However, all juvenile and young adult fiction would be reclassed with a simple classification system consisting of the author’s full last name and first initial followed by the first word of the item’s title. With this distinction being made, it was decided that Robichaud would take care of reclassing the nonfiction materials using Dewey while two other Technical Services staff members would assist with reclassing the fiction collections.
To help the staff with their part in the project, the Technical Services Librarian created clear documentation on juvenile and young adult call number creation and went over the process a number of times to help ensure staff was comfortable with the process. Staff were self-directed from the beginning of the project, using their own discretion to work on the reclassification when time allowed. Time was set aside at each biweekly Technical Services meeting to discuss the project’s progress and any issues that came up. An open door policy also allowed for answers to questions as they would arise. Due to the diligence and hard work of the two Technical Services staff, the juvenile and young adult fiction collections were completed within 10 months, with approximately 2,500 titles being reclassed and relabeled. The children’s nonfiction collection, being reclassed by one individual using the more formal classification, is still being worked on. Approximately 700 nonfiction titles have been reclassed from the former Library of Congress Classification to Dewey, with roughly 500 more titles remaining. As would be expected, all new materials for these collections are provided with either Dewey classification or the simplified author, title classification.
Results
Since the reorganization and reclassification of ERC materials, visibility and use of the collection has increased. The separation of professional literature from children’s and young adult literature allows students to use the collection as they would a school or public library and mimics the experience they will have using libraries upon graduation. The library purchased new shelving specifically for picture books which helps highlight a collection many users did not know we offered before this project. Additionally, we added shelf labels to the professional materials section so that students can easily browse titles by topics such as “educational technology” or “classroom management.”
Increased circulation statistics are also likely due in part to the deselection of dated materials and increased purchasing of new, relevant titles in all areas of the collection. The Acquisitions department expanded purchasing profiles for children’s and young adult literature and the Education liaison works closely with the School’s faculty to ensure curriculum needs are supported by the collection.
Another significant outcome of this project was the development of a collection development policy specifically for the ERC. This policy thoroughly defines the scope of the collection and provides rationale for the organization and classification of sub-collections. The policy is largely based on the best practices outlined in the “Guidelines for Curriculum Materials Center” created by the EBSS Ad Hoc Curriculum Materials Center Standards/Guidelines Committee, 2003.
Looking Ahead
Southern New Hampshire University continues to grow its education program offerings and the library continues to actively purchase materials in support of the Education Resource Collection. The University has announced plans for a new library building slated to open in September 2014. The library faculty and staff are currently brainstorming what opportunities might be available for the ERC in a new building. | 8,014 | 3,205 | 0.000319 |
warc | 201704 | We can learn a great deal from history. Mick Hazzeldine of Premier Nutrition in a presentation at the 22nd JSR Technical conference went back to 1976 to remind the audience of UK pig production some 35 years ago. He also highlighted current challenges and obstacles.
UK pig meat production in 35 years has dropped from 826,000 tonnes to 775,000 tonnes despite a substantial rise in carcass weight (61.9kg to 78.4kg), allied to a massive decline in abattoirs (1161 vs. 124) and high street butchers (25,300 vs. 6,800). In comparison: poultry meat production far more industrialised and tripled from 590,000 tonnes to 1.56 million tonnes in that period. Interestingly though the price ration pig/wheat has not changed that much. It was 1.04 in 1976 and 1.07 in 2010. In terms of raw materials, in 1976 UK producers fed manioc, meat and bone meal and fishmeal. In 2011 the focus is on biscuit meal, soya 48 and 00-rapeseed meal. There have been big changes in feed additives. In 1976 we had AGPs, Maxymin (to reduce back fat) plus high levels of copper, whereas in 2010 we still have zinc oxide plus enzymes, acids and probiotics.
Raw materials, however, are much better defined than they were 35 years ago. Back then we used TDN and NE and formulated to 5 amino acids, total Phosphorus or available P and Crude Fibre. Now 35 years on we use NE, work with 9 SID amino acids, digestible P and NDF.
Raw materialsWhen looking at fishmeal, the availability has substantially reduced with 61% now going to aquaculture and of the current available 5 million tonnes, 1.6 million tonnes is going to China. Quality is variable and Hazzeldine suggested that a £6 (€7.20) inclusion of fishmeal in a 13-35kg diet could be better spent elsewhere. “How times change. In the 1960s often 10% fishmeal was included even in finisher diets, although with the caution that it might result in “fishy bacon”. Wheat was not recommended, because of worries about it forming a dough in the pig’s stomach and causing serious digestive upsets,” Hazzeldine recalled.
He also remembered that as a pig unit manager in the early 1970s he was formulating the unit’s home mixed diets. He happened to do a check and found that by mistake the finishing diet contained 40% wheat - unheard of in those days. He was very relieved that no pigs suffered and had the diets corrected, with barley in place of wheat, as was considered the norm in those days.Hay fever sufferers are only too aware of the massive quantity of rape that is now grown in the UK – in May the countryside is a mass of yellow. In the past Anti-Nutritional Factors (ANFs) limited inclusion levels but today with zero and double zero rape varieties the amounts of glucosinolates and erucic acid have been reduced by 90%. “Rapeseed meal is by far our most important home-produced protein. It isn’t what it used to be plus we don’t formulate the way we used to,” Hazzeldine said.
Glucosinates have been reduced from 120-150 µmols in traditional rape seed to 10-15 µmols in 00-rape seed today. And in poultry there are now brown egg layers that don’t convert sinapines in rapeseed to TMA (trymethilamine) which causes a fishy taint of the eggs.Typical inclusion rates of rapeseed are 5% in grower diets; 10-15% in finishers and 7% in sow diets. This reduces the risk and reliance from “all soya” plus saves money, typically 30-50p (36-60 €c) per percentage included. Rape has a 70% trigger price vs soya. Assuming soya is £285 (€342)/tonne, then rape has a replacement value of £200 (€240)/tonne. If rape is priced at £165 (€198)/tonne, there is a saving of £35 (€42)/tonne or 35p (42€c)/% inclusion.
On field beans Hazzeldine commented that there has been a slight increase in the surface grown, with 4% being used when priced at £190/tonne increasing to 10% when beans cost £170/tonne. Peas are not available in high amounts. The area grown in the UK is declining and mostly rejected peas bound for human consumption are used in pig rations. With the growth of the biofuel industry more derivatives of this sector become available. In the UK two ethanol plants have come into production together using 1 million tonnes of wheat and producing a third of ethanol, DDGS and carbon dioxide. DDGS has around 33% protein but with low amino acid concentrations. There is a large variation between plants but early indications are low variability within a plant. In the US inclusion rates of 30-40% are known, but in the UK 4% is added when priced £190/t and 10% at £170/t. “DDGS is worth more in cattle feed than in pigs,” Hazzeldine added. From the biodiesel industry limited amounts of expeller rapeseed meal and glycerol are available to the feed industry. “We still don’t fully understand the energy content of cereals, where wheat takes up 55-60% of the energy in finishing feeds and barley circa 20%. There can be so much variation caused by type of wheat (hard/soft), grist, fibre, starch, viscosity, rye gene and varieties, pellets vs meal, enzymes, farm driers, etceteras,” Hazzeldine said.
How low to go?Expanding human population and biofuels may result in by-products again being relatively cost effective i.e. DDGS, wheatfeed, rapeseed meal. It seems like the cost of fats will remain very high so we may therefore need to consider feeds of lower nutrient density. With finishing pigs, as nutrient density drops, FCR worsens, as does growth rate. For example, 1 MJ DE/kg gives a change of 0.2 FCR. Feed conversion and therefore cost/kg LW gain is predictable in finishing pigs. How does the weight of the pig influence to what extent we can reduce nutrient density? In other words, how low can we go?
Growth rate tends to decline as we reduce nutrient density. The decline is relatively small (say 10-25g/day) when feeds are >13 MJ DE/kg and the pigs are above about 65kg; the younger the pig the greater the hit. Grading improves but killing out % gets poorer. Also, if nutrient density is reduced, N excretion will increase. 1% crude protein = 10% N excretion. Additionally, water intake increases as does manure production. | 6,254 | 3,051 | 0.000338 |
warc | 201704 | It's immigration stupid January 23, 2003 Foreign-born add market support from the ground up By Steve Kropper
Immigration is the key driver of primary housing demand in the United States and explains why home prices aren't headed toward a fall. The flood of immigration is untouched and continues unabated. Immigrants keep the housing market flush with first-time buyers, who come in at the bottom and support the market as they move up the housing ladder. Immigrants comprise roughly 11 percent of all resale home transactions.
A brief history of immigration explains its impact on housing:
In 1957, the U.S. population was 171 million and Elvis had two top 10 hits. The U.S. birth rate reached its high point at third world levels: an average of 3.8 children per woman. Today the country has 100 million more people than it had in 1957!
In 1980, I was living in my first house, and the U.S. population was 226 million. The '80s added 22 million souls. That was like adding an additional city of Atlanta and all of its sprawl every two years!
1990 was a milestone year. The population reached 250 million, a whopping 47 million increase from 1970, but the nation came close to stabilizing its population. Families had just 1.9 children, a figure right around the stable replacement level.
In 1990, I was living in my third house. Home prices had just fallen 7 percent in Massachusetts, and it took five years for me to recover my loss. Domestic population stability was overshadowed when immigration rules were loosened and the floodgates opened for legal and illegal immigration.
During the '90s, the immigrant population increased 57 percent to 19 million people, and the foreign-born proportion of the population rose to almost 8 percent. More than one-third of population growth in the 1990s was due to immigration, which added 1.1 million people annually. The higher birth rate among immigrants compounded the effect of immigration beyond the first generation.
Today almost 25 percent of the U.S. population is foreign born, and the forecast for legal immigration in the next five years suggests the nation will add another 10 million people during that time. With new home construction at just over 1.25 million units a year, immigration could fill half of the future new home demand pipeline.
In the 1990 U.S. Census, six states held 75 percent of the immigrant population, but only 39 percent of the housing stock. Immigration is concentrated in California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois. Other states are affected by migration of people arriving from outside the country or from other states.
Did you know Massachusetts has more people per square mile than Haiti has? Or that Colorado's population increased by 1 million people in just 10 years. Once-pleasant Fort Collins has suffered 28,000 new residents in the last 10 years.
Do you plan to move to Missoula? Do your kids plan to get jobs in Idaho Falls? I doubt it. Fort Collins notwithstanding, they are more likely to move to Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Ariz., or Las Vegas. National Geographic depicts bison standing in a vast emptiness, and America is a country of wide-open plains and infinite space. But you, me, our kids and immigrants aren't headed to North Dakota. We're moving to Walnut Creek, Colorado Springs, Bethesda, Norcross and Jacksonville. Are you planning to move to a fly-fishing state where the cows outnumber the people?
The National Association of Realtors for years has promoted the immigrant market as an opportunity for its aging Realtor membership. Roughly one-third of homes were sold to first-time home buyers and about one-third of first-time buyers were immigrants. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, major banks and myriad federal programs provide initiatives to help immigrants become homeowners. In 2000, immigrants from Mexico were the largest group, comprising just over a quarter of the foreign-born residents of the United States. China, the Philippines, India, Cuba, El Salvador, Vietnam and Korea provided another quarter.
Of the 6 million homes sold each year, about 10 percent or 600,000 homes are sold to immigrant first-time buyers. If immigrant home buying is concentrated in the resale sector, not new construction, then immigration is even more important, accounting for perhaps 12 percent of the resale housing market. That's a market in which prices and growth are sensitive to new customers, including foreign-born ones.
Last week, I hid in a cave for my quadrennial immersion deep into the minutia of housing statistics. The state variations in home ownership rates fascinate me. I am used to New York being at the bottom (Big Apple apartment dwellers?) and West Virginia being near the top (affordability trumps growth). But what surprised me this time was that home ownership in California--a top immigrant destination--was an astoundingly low 58 percent or 10 points below the national average.
Looking deeper, I found a correlation between low home ownership rates and double-digit immigration states. But a correlation doesn't prove causation. What causes low home ownership rates in top immigration destinations? Does immigration push up demand and put pressure on prices, making housing unaffordable? Or is there a natural time lag while immigrants build the capital to become homeowners? More study is warranted.
People want cheap labor to mow lawns, prepare fast food, skin chickens and even build homes. And immigration provides demand that supports housing growth and the current home price levels. Population growth benefits the value of homes, but devours open space and wills a more crowded America to the next generation. Our children will have to worry about disappearing cornfields in Fort Collins, golden hillsides in Vista, leveled woodlands in suburban D.C. and filled wetlands in Fort Meyers.
Immigration is safe as a key driver of housing growth and price rises because there is no national plan or consensus to change the nation's immigration policy. There is no likelihood that the gates will be closed on immigration, a key driver in housing demand.
Steve Kropper is VP for strategy at Primedia, which owns RealEstate.com and Domania. He is focused on Boston-based Domania's customer retention and customer acquisition products for the real estate and mortgage sectors.
***
Copyright 2003 Steve Kropper
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org. | 6,465 | 3,037 | 0.00033 |
warc | 201704 | They’re talented, educated, tolerant, sociable, collaborative, and oriented toward achievement, but they haven’t been tested yet. What happens when they are faced with a world in economic crisis that won’t support the life style they’ve grown accustomed to? Will they pout and think, “Somebody’s got to fix this,” or will they take on the responsibility as their own?"
Granted, this generation has better skills than earlier generations, but it remains to be seen if they’ve lost something even more important. Have adults taken away their opportunities for leadership, creativity, and responsibility? Have we sheltered them and deprived them of the chance to experience and deal with life? Or have we armed them for battle by setting the example?
Generation YGeneration Yers have grown up in a culture of praise, raised by active, involved parents who often interceded on their behalf, protecting them and ensuring that they were treated well and grew up safely. They have been brought up in the most child¬-centered generation ever, even though over half of all families in the United States have divorced parents, one in four chil¬dren lives in a single-¬parent household, and three in four children have work¬ing mothers. The parents of Generation Yers view the child as the center of the family and spend more time with their children than did those of the pre¬vious generation, despite doing so in dual¬ income and single¬-parent families. These children are not left to make key decisions on their own like the latchkey kids of the previous generation; the parents of Generation Y are very hands-¬on. They are involved in the daily lives and decisions of Generation Yers by helping them plan their achievements, taking part in their activities, and demonstrating behaviors that indicate a strong belief in their child’s worth.
Generation Yers have been programmed and nurtured to expect to be told how they’re doing and to think anything is possible.
The secure feeling attained by strong parental involvement makes the mem¬bers of the Generation Yers believe they can accomplish most anything. Here’s the thing, though. If they don’t accomplish what they want in the time frame they have in mind, they can always go back home and get help and support. They have a safety net. Parental coddling has often deprived them of learning the face-to-face social skills necessary for dealing with difficult people or situations.
What Does This Mean for You? This may be the most high-¬maintenance workforce in history, but it also has the potential to be the most high ¬performing if leaders take the time to give them what they need. It comes down to how ready they are to perform the tasks you give them. Consider it a blessing that Generation Yers want to do everything better and faster and they are confident in their ability to do so. You can’t teach that kind of willingness, and it can be difficult to inspire. What they need is knowledge, experience, and the chance to practice their skills. These are things that can be taught.
As a leader, you need to:
Encourage their values. Find ways to show appreciation for their individuality and let them be expressive, even if it seems a little silly. It will keep them around. Allow them to have input into the decision-¬making process when you can. They want to be heard and respected. They want to work with friends and have a little fun. Be flexible. The busiest generation ever isn’t going to give up its activities just because of a job. Many feel that as long as they get the work done, when they come in and when they leave should be up to them. It takes time to come to find that middle ground where both parties feel fairly treated. Give what you can when you can as long as performance doesn’t suffer and they do get the job done. More important, have valid reasons when you can’t be flexible. “Because I say so” won’t cut it with Generation Y. Praise them when they earn it, when they meet expectations, and not before. If you offer too much praise too soon, it loses its motivational effect and makes Generation Yers feel like they are performing to an acceptable standard when they aren’t.
Train them. This is the most education-¬oriented generation in history. If you want a job well done, tell them how to do it, give them the tools and resources to do it, but don’t forget to also share why. They need that. Mentor them. They want to add to your company, not own it. Do not be afraid to give feedback, positive or negative. Keep it about performance. Be honest and timely. Earn their respect.
Make their work valid. Don’t just give orders; give the reasoning behind your requests. If you want them to do something, tell them why in a way that lets them know the importance of the task to the company. If they ask why, try not to get frustrated or take it as a challenge to your authority. If you start believing that they don’t know when to shut up, you may resort to a “Do it and do it now” leadership style. This won’t work, because Generation Yers reside in the no¬fear zone—most aren’t motivated by threats and punishment or firing because they have parental safety nets.
Provide full disclosure. Generation Y values fairness and ethical behavior, while also being skeptical. If they feel that you are not being truthful, they will not be satisfied. That is no way to earn loyalty.
Provide access to technology. It’s not about having the newest and best technology but about having the right technology. Capitalize on their expertise and involve them in the process of choosing and implementing technology. This creates a sense of ownership in them that can foster not only their respect, but also their loyalty.
Generation Yers feel empowered as a result of overindulgent parents. They have a sense of security and are optimistic about the future in a very practi¬cal way. They expect a workplace that is challenging, collaborative, creative, fun, and financially rewarding, and they expect pay commensurate with what they are doing, not promises that may or may not come true.
On the other hand, there is a whole group of Generation Yers coming of age separate from the experience so far discussed. Sixteen percent grew up or are currently being raised in poverty. The schism, termed the “digital divide,” is about technology, which has had a profound impact on the personality of Generation Yers. Never has the gap between the haves and have¬nots been so great. It is entirely possible that this will result in a generational subculture that has yet to be defined and certainly has the potential to have an impact on leadership.
Excerpted, with permission of the publisher, from
The AMA Handbook of Leadership, edited by Marshall Goldsmith, John Baldoni, and Sarah McArthur. Copyright 2010, Marshall Goldsmith, John Baldoni, Sarah McArthur. Published by AMACOM. For more information, visit: www.amacombooks.org | 7,138 | 3,239 | 0.00032 |
warc | 201704 | Last winter it was rain, the previous year it was snow - but whatever the weather, preparing your car for the winter season is a must if you're to stay safe and avoid unnecessary damage to your vehicle. Here are a few words of advice ahead of the cold and wet.
Servicing
If your car hasn't been serviced recently, it's wise to book one in before the worst of the weather. The more residue and rubbish clogging up the internals of the engine, the harder the battery has to work. And on that note, remember that cold weather will also give your battery a hard time. Since they generally last around five years, it's worth searching for a reasonably priced replacement than forking out a higher price if your car breaks down. If you do a lot of driving, it might be worth investing in winter tyres.
DIY checks
Simple checks and replacements that don't require the attentions of a professional include checking that wiper blades are in tip-top condition and replacing those that aren't (squeaking could be a sign that they're damaged), and topping up washer fluid. Mixing washer fluid yourself rather than buying the ready mixed kind means you can up the concentration, making it less likely to freeze if the weather turns cold.
A spot of WD40 on locks and other mechanisms will help to ensure they don't freeze up or stick, and to prevent doors from sticking shut in freezing conditions, dab a little Vaseline on seals. Lastly, pop the bonnet and clear out all the dead leaves and autumn debris that might have accumulated, and give your car a good clean, waxing if possible, to protect it from harsh weather and gritted roads.
In-car essentials
There are some items that are handy to have in your car all year round, jump leads, an in-car phone charger, warning triangle to name a few. But in winter, it's wise to add a few extras in case of emergencies. A few bits of carpet or thick cardboard can provide traction in snowy or icy conditions, while salt, sand or cat litter or a collapsible shovel (available for as little as £5.99) can help to clear snow and ice.
Of course an ice scraper and/or de-icer should be on hand, and a torch (don't forget extra batteries) is invaluable as the dark evenings draw in. For your own personal welfare, if snow is forecast, a warm blanket or sleeping bag is a good idea, and you'll appreciate packing some bottled water or flask of hot drink and a few snacks should you get stuck.
Lastly, if you don't have a tow rope, get one. If you get stuck, finding a friendly farmer to tow you out will be of no use without one.
How do you prepare your car for winter? Leave your comments below... | 2,641 | 1,378 | 0.00073 |
warc | 201704 | Here’s a good business practice to begin right now: If something that someone is doing is upsetting you, tell them immediately and tell them with kindness. When you do that, they will usually be more than happy to help accommodate you in order to make you more comfortable. In addition, it doesn’t build up into something bigger than it is. You become more and more annoyed while the person that could have done something about it has no earthly idea that you are upset. Eventually, you explode–however gently–and can no longer keep it inside.
I had a meeting at my house the other night and received an email the next day from someone who was very sensitive to my scented candles. Boy, I didn’t even think of that! And I sure wish I had since nothing bugs me more than someone sitting next to me who has perfume (especially a perfume I dislike) on.
But what gets me is that this person waited nearly 24 hours to tell me and you could tell by the tone of the email that the scented candles really grated. And there was no longer anything I could do about it except to feel badly.
I would have been more than happy to blow them out. Instead, I spent another few hours the next day feeling horrible that I had made someone uncomfortable in my home.
Lessons: (1) Don’t use highly scented anything in large groups of people you don’t know. There are so many people out there who have allergies or are extra sensitive. (2) Learn to be direct and to speak the truth with kindness and respect for the other person’s intentions. | 1,566 | 825 | 0.001249 |
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