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warc | 201704 | A call for support from David Nutt
Every day I find myself invited to make the argument for a rational, evidence-based approach to drug policy and drug use. As a scientist I find it frustrating that the debate on drugs, both legal and illegal, is coloured by political and moral concerns, and often ignores the evidence. DrugScience continues to emphasise the role of science in the public discourse, providing information on the actual harms of various drugs and challenging the myths that surround drug classification and legislation in the UK.
We have big plans: to provide free evidence-based drugs education for schools; to set up a confidential email-based drugs advice service; to create and host daily media watch, factchecking drugs-related news stories and calling out those that misrepresent the evidence. Our work often challenges perceived wisdom and for that reason can appear to be contentious, but I believe that we must continue to strive for a change in thinking. I’m hopeful of seeing improved public literacy in critical and scientific thinking around drugs.
Using evidence in public policy should not be controversial. I am calling on you, our supporters, to support the work that we do. We rely on your donations to provide scientific information on drugs, to provide an evidence-based point of view to the media in an area rife with misinformation and to carry out research that will benefit society. | 1,433 | 754 | 0.001336 |
warc | 201704 | Mr Frank Pentony, Dundalk Town Council, told a meeting of the town’s joint policing committee that Louth local authorities so far this year have spent €500,00 has cleaning up the diesel sludge dumped by criminals.
This amounts to 600 tonnes which have to be exported to Holland for disposal.
In the last two years €1m has been spent cleaning up this material.
There was a slow down at the beginning of this year but the dumping is now back to last year’s levels.
Superintendent Ger Curley told the meeting that a number of successful garda operations have taken place with the cooperation of the PSNI and customs.
Since April of last year, the Revenue and Department for the Environment have been closing in on diesel laundering criminals.
Revenue, Customs, and department officials have been given increased powers to deal with the environmental and economic scourge.
Louth County Council has also met with revenue and customs to tackle the problem.
Twelve per cent of all diesel in this country is sold illegally.
The main problem is how to stop criminals buying agricultural fuel at a lower cost, laundering it, and selling it on as motor fuel for a profit.
The problem has spiralled to unprecedented levels over the past few years.
The rate of dumping in 2011 rose by a massive 3,600 per cent in the space of just two years.
In 2009 27 tonnes were found in Louth while in 2010 that rose to 220 tonnes.
Last year a staggering 989 tonnes were dumped.
Louth local authorities, whose budgets are already stretched, not only have to clean-up the dumped material.
It also has to pay and arrange for the material to be exported. | 1,662 | 875 | 0.001169 |
warc | 201704 | Chinese scientists have developed a fog-free, self-cleaning glass coating with a structure that mimics that of the lotus leaf—and takes a page from the raspberry, too.
The coating, by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, imparts a “clear, slick, water-repellant surface” to glass and other transparent materials.
Ralf Pfeifer/ Wikimedia Commons
The lotus leaf’s superhydrophobic surfaces excel at repelling water and boast other “smart” self-cleaning, anti-glare, anti-icing, and anti-corrosion properties, scientists say.
The scientists say they were inspired by the leaf’s water-repellent and other properties. The coating also employs hollow silica nanoparticles that resemble raspberries, they said.
Tomorrow’s Materials
The coating holds potential for tomorrow’s materials, the team reports.
By “modifying low-surface-energy materials and creating surface textures on them, surfaces can be made to exhibit completely different wetting characteristics—either repelling or attracting moisture,” according to the American Institute of Physics (AIP), which published the research in
Applied Physics Letters.
The research is described in “Transparent superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic coatings for self-cleaning and anti-fogging.”
The article notes that superhydrophobic surfaces have demonstrated important self-cleaning, antireflection and anti-icing properties. Superhydrophilic surfaces, meanwhile, provide antireflection and anti-fog properties.
Applied Physics Letters
Two views (a and b) show the fogging differences between coated superhydrophilic glass and bare glass. The bottom row shows the fogging differences between (c) superhydrophobic glass and (d) bare glass.
“Recently,” the team notes, “there have been increasing interest in multifunctional transparent superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic films displaying antireflection or anti-fog, which can greatly extend their utility in the fields such as windshields, solar cell, and optical devices.”
‘Fog-Free Performance’
In the current experiments, the finished surfaces exhibited good anti-fogging and light-transmittance properties before and after chemical modification, the authors say.
The “results reveal that evaporation rate of the fog on superhydrophobic surfaces can be tremendously improved,” the team writes.
That could mean “clearer, fog-free performance” for windshields, windows, solar cells and panels, LEDs, TVs, tablets, and cell phone screens.
Such “smart coatings” are highly desirable, especially for solar cells and panels, which frequently lose up to 40% of their efficiency to dust and dirt buildup within a year of installation, the AIP said.
The next challenge for the scientists: move the smart surfaces from the lab to industry in a cost-efficient manner, the AIP said. | 2,925 | 1,374 | 0.000767 |
warc | 201704 | 18 April 2013 The Silk Commission
A conference was held in Cardiff on 17 April to look at the Silk Commission and how changes to the devolution settlement could affect people in Wales, including third sector organisations.
The Silk Commission is an independent body established by then Welsh secretary of state, Cheryl Gillan in 2011 to review the case for the devolution of fiscal powers and for increasing the powers of the National Assembly for Wales
In the conference, an overview was given by people working across a range of sectors – social justice, policing, transport, health, education, energy, equality and economic development – and this provided a fascinating insight into both the complexities and ambiguities of the current devolution arrangements.
The economic development spokesperson, for example, said that Wales was over-governed and under-represented, and that Cardiff Bay often made decisions that were out of sync with the views of small businesses. The social justice spokesperson said that the National Assembly for Wales had some but not all the tools at its disposal in order to fulfil its mandate for social justice. The spokesperson for equality lauded Welsh devolution for the centrality of equality in its work, citing as an example the achievement of having equal numbers of male and female Assembly Members in the second Assembly of 2003. The spokesperson for transport highlighted devolution’s complexity as, although the principle of integrated transport should be relatively straightforward, it was in practice anything but, with both Whitehall and Cardiff Bay sharing responsiblity in varying degrees for trains, buses and highways etc.
The church is probably unique as a third sector organisation in that its work is spread over a wide range of sectors. Much of this in recent years has focussed on social justice and compassion ministries such as foodbanks, Street Pastors, night shelters, debt advice centres and lunch clubs etc. With prominence being given to service delivery, many evangelical Christians have not – with a few notable exceptions – been at the forefront of agitating for constitutional change in the different areas where they have worked. There are many clear evangelical thinkers in Wales but they have not been politically mobilised en masse.
The question of how much more devolution would be good for the church is difficult to say. Certainly in general terms, devolution has brought government closer to the people and it has also provided a political culture whereby Christians can more easily achieve their aims in non-devolved areas such as human trafficking and asylum.
While the growth of compassion ministries has flourished over the past five years and seen that part of the evangelical church in Wales mobilised, EA’s current Manifesto project may see new parts of the church mobilised. The project, which is canvassing the opinions of Christians across 35 topics, will be finished in time for the next National Assembly elections. What has been noted thus far has been the number of people who have engaged with this project and the agreement across the range of subjects. | 3,183 | 1,511 | 0.00067 |
warc | 201704 | All listings for this product About this product Description DescriptionThe derivative practitioner s expert guide to IFRS 9 application Accounting for Derivatives explains the likely accounting implications of a proposed transaction on derivatives strategy, in alignment with the IFRS 9 standards. Written by a Big Four advisor, this book shares the author s insights from working with companies to minimise the earnings volatility impact of hedging with derivatives. This second edition includes new chapters on hedging inflation risk and stock options, with new cases on special hedging situations including hedging components of commodity risk. This new edition also covers the accounting treatment of special derivatives situations, such as raising financing through commodity-linked loans, derivatives on own shares and convertible bonds. Cases are used extensively throughout the book, simulating a specific hedging strategy from its inception to maturity following a common pattern. Coverage includes instruments such as forwards, swaps, cross-currency swaps, and combinations of standard options, plus more complex derivatives like kck-in forwards, KIKO forwards, range accruals, and swaps in arrears. Under IFRS, derivatives that do t qualify for hedge accounting may significantly increase earnings volatility. Compliant application of hedge accounting requires expertise across both the standards and markets, with an appropriate balance between derivatives expertise and accounting kwledge. This book helps bridge the divide, providing comprehensive IFRS coverage from a practical perspective. * Become familiar with the most common hedging instruments from an IFRS 9 perspective * Examine FX risk and hedging of dividends, earnings, and net assets of foreign subsidies * Learn new standards surrounding the hedge of commodities, equity, inflation, and foreign and domestic liabilities * Challenge the qualification for hedge accounting as the ultimate objective IFRS 9 is set to replace IAS 39, and many practitioners will need to adjust their accounting policies and hedging strategies to conform to the new standard. Accounting for Derivatives is the only book to cover IFRS 9 specifically for the derivatives practitioner, with expert guidance and practical advice. Author BiographyJUAN RAMIREZ works in one of the Big 4 accounting firms. He addresses challenging hedging situations and assessing the accounting treatment of complex transactions with a particular accounting, tax and regulatory capital angle. Formerly, he worked at Arthur Andersen, JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers, Barclays Capital, Banco Santander and BNP Paribas. Key Features Author(s)Juan Ramirez PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons Inc Date of Publication13/02/2015 LanguageEnglish FormatHardback ISBN-101118817974 ISBN-139781118817971 SubjectFinance & Accounting Series TitleThe Wiley Finance Series Publication Data Place of PublicationNew York Country of PublicationUnited States ImprintJohn Wiley & Sons Inc Content Noteblack & white illustrations Dimensions Weight1516 g Width177 mm Height252 mm Spine46 mm Editorial Details Edition Statement2nd Revised edition Best-selling in Non-Fiction Books Save on Non-Fiction Books AU $79.89Trending at AU $90.22 AU $17.51Trending at AU $30.26 AU $18.30Trending at AU $24.34 AU $31.46Trending at AU $40.54 AU $22.32Trending at AU $36.99 AU $40.77Trending at AU $45.02 AU $16.90Trending at AU $20.15
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Thanks, we'll look into this. | 3,492 | 1,699 | 0.000589 |
warc | 201704 | All listings for this product About this product Description DescriptionContemporary discussions about the nature of leadership abound. But what constitutes a good leader? Are ethics and leadership even compatible? Accounts of leadership often lie at either end of an ethical spectrum: on one end are accounts that argue ethics are intrinsically linked to leadership; on the other are (Machiavellian) views that deny any such link-intrinsic or extrinsic. Leadership appears to require a rmative component of virtue; otherwise 'leadership' amounts to more than mere power or influence. But are such accounts coherent and justifiable? Approaching a controversial topic, this series of essays tackles key questions from a range of philosophical perspectives, considering the nature of leadership separate from any formal office or role and how it shapes the world we live in. Author BiographyJacqueline Boaks studied philosophy at The University of Western Australia, Australia. She is completing her PhD in Philosophy looking at leadership in the areas of ethics, political philosophy and business literature. Michael P. Levine is Winthrop Professor of Philosophy at the University of Western Australia, Australia. His publications include: Politics Most Unusual: Violence, Sovereignty and Democracy in the 'War on Terror' (with Damian Cox and Saul Newman 2009), Prospects for an Ethics of Architecture (with Bill Taylor, 2011) and The 'Katrina Effect' (with Bill Taylor, Oenone Rooksby and Joely-Kym Sobott, Bloomsbury 2015). Key Features PublisherBloomsbury Publishing PLC Date of Publication24/09/2015 LanguageEnglish FormatHardback ISBN-101472570669 ISBN-139781472570666 SubjectPhilosophy Publication Data Place of PublicationLondon Country of PublicationUnited Kingdom ImprintBloomsbury Academic Content Notecolour illustrations Dimensions Weight576 g Width156 mm Height234 mm Spine18 mm Credits Edited byJacqueline Boaks,Michael P. Levine Best-selling in Non-Fiction Books Save on Non-Fiction Books AU $79.89Trending at AU $90.22 AU $17.51Trending at AU $30.26 AU $18.30Trending at AU $24.34 AU $31.46Trending at AU $40.54 AU $22.32Trending at AU $36.99 AU $40.77Trending at AU $45.02 AU $16.90Trending at AU $20.15
This item doesn't belong on this page.
Thanks, we'll look into this. | 2,292 | 1,220 | 0.000821 |
warc | 201704 | When it comes to job-hunting, those of us that have played the game a while think we’ve got it down to a science. Most of the rules seem like common sense, but you wouldn’t believe how many job seekers make simple and avoidable mistakes that end up costing them the job of their dreams.
Competition in today’s job market is tough—it’s more of an employer’s market than ever, and even the smallest mistake can send you to the bottom of the résumé pile. Avoiding these common job-hunting no-nos can increase your chances of getting to the top of that stack, and maybe even through the doors of the job you want.
Turning Your Cover Letter Into a Novel Human resources people are busy. Very busy. And recruiting for just one position can mean having to sort through hundreds of applicants. With all that going on, the last thing they want to do is read long, drawn-out cover letters that usually end without you telling them why you should get an interview.
No one in HR wants to read a novel, and they certainly don’t care about the hundreds of jobs you had that have nothing to do with what they’re hiring for. Cover letters are like first impressions, and more often than not, your cover letter has one minute to make a good one on the HR professional or hiring manager reading it before ending up in the trash.
Your cover letter should be no more than two or three concise paragraphs highlighting work experience pertaining to the exact position. It should be catchy and use language familiar to the organization, to show you’ve done some research. Try not to smother the reader with too much info. Get straight to the point and you’re guaranteed to go straight to the top of the pile. Getting Too Familiar
As an HR professional, you wouldn’t believe how many people of color come into my office, see my face, and feel it’s okay to drop their interview persona in favor of a “round the way” mentality. I can’t even count on one hand how many applicants have sat across from me and thought my brown skin was an invitation to use the N-word.
They thought our “bond” made it OK to show up late, have inappropriate conversations and entitled them to a “hookup.” The fact that I was going to be the one looking over their paperwork and/or interviewing them didn’t seem to matter simple because in their mind I was “just like them.”
Not all of these people were uneducated ’hood folk. Some were clean-cut, otherwise well-spoken, qualified, multiple-degree-holding candidates… who didn’t get the job. And in some cases, they didn’t even make it through the door. Regardless of perceived similarities, it’s important to remember to be professional at all times during the interview process, and even after.
Although the interviewer, receptionist, employee, etc. might be “just like you,” these people are not your friends. They are your supervisors, coworkers, and most definitely your competition. Be cordial, be respectful and engage in small talk, but don’t ever get it twisted. Above all, maintain your professionalism. Forgetting to Say ‘Thank You’
If there’s one thing that can make the difference between you getting the job and not getting the job, it’s thank you notes. While it seems like common sense to send a quick thank you to the person(s) you’ve interviewed with, you’d be amazed how many don’t do this—and worse, don’t do it properly.
Remembering to send a potential employer a handwritten thank you note can set you apart from others in the running. Why handwritten you ask? Well, because the employer probably has hundreds of emails waiting in their inbox, and an email from an address or name they probably don’t remember is sure to end up in the trash folder. Also, because most organizations have serious spam filters on their mailboxes, it’s very likely that your e-card won’t even get opened. So if you don’t want to get overlooked, handwritten is the way to go.
Before sending, make sure your thank you card looks professional and doesn’t have too many bright or distracting colors. Be sure to clearly state the reason for the card, thank them for considering you for the position, let them know you look forward to hearing from him/her in the near future, and of course, proofread, proofread, proofread! Finally, make sure the employer receives your card a day or two after the interview, so you’re sure to stay fresh in their minds.
Danielle Pointdujour is a native Brooklynite living and writing in the Big Apple. You can find Danielle sharing her personal outlook on love, life, careers and travel on various publications across the web. | 4,807 | 2,295 | 0.00046 |
warc | 201704 | Soil Organic Matter in Sustainable Agriculture Soil Organic Matter in Sustainable Agriculture gathers key scientific reviews concerning issues that are critical for successful SOM management. This textbook contains evaluations of the types of organic soil constituents—organisms, fresh residues, and well-decomposed substances. It explores the beneficial effects of organic matter on soil and the various practices that enhance SOM. Chapters include an examination of the results of crop management practices on soil organisms, organic matter gains and losses, the significance of various SOM fractions, and the contributions of fungi and earthworms to soil quality and crop growth.
Emphasizing the prevention of imbalances that lead to soil and crop problems, the text also explores the development of soils suppressive to plant diseases and pests, and relates SOM management to the supply of nutrients to crops. This book provides the essential scientific background and poses the challenging questions that students need to better understand SOM and develop improved soil and crop management systems.
Title: Soil Organic Matter in Sustainable Agriculture
Author: Fred Magdoff; Ray R. Weil
More Technology
Introduction to Water Resources and Environmental Issues 2009 US$ 60.99 470 pages
Fundamentals of Condensed Matter Physics 2016 US$ 60.99 462 pages Academic > Agriculture > Soils. Soil science > Soil science; Encyclopedias Academic > Agriculture > Soils. Soil science > Humus Academic > Agriculture > History > Sustainable agriculture Academic > Earth Sciences > Edaphology: Soils and life > Soils. Soil science Science > Biology Science > Environmental Science Science > Earth Sciences Science > Life Sciences Nature > Ecology Technology > Agriculture The Environment | 1,789 | 841 | 0.001198 |
warc | 201704 | The Only Way to Win How Building Character Drives Higher Achievement and Greater Fulfillment in Business and Life Why Winning with Character Is the Only Way to Win
The conditioning begins early in our lives. Great achievements will bring lasting happiness and fulfillment; great achievements form the bedrock of stable self-esteem and strong character; great achievements will become the foundation for a successful life. If these well-intentioned promises are true, why does winning never seem to be enough?
In
The Only Way to Win, Jim Loehr draws upon two decades of work with Fortune 500 executives; world-class athletes such as Monica Seles, Dan Jansen, and Eric Lindros; and other high achievers at the Human Performance Institute (HPI) to reveal surprising insights about achievement motivation. Specifically, Loehr finds that the blind pursuit of external achievement often results in emptiness, addiction, and, ironically, poor performance. It’s not really about what you achieve, he argues, it’s about who you become as a consequence of the chase.
As Loehr powerfully demonstrates, success at work and fulfillment in life require a complete re-purposing of achievement, one where value is derived from growth in areas such as integrity, honesty, gratefulness, humility, optimism, and compassion. To help readers start this process, he provides them with the tools they need to develop these character traits, as well as the plan they need to use them effectively.
A compelling, practical, and hopeful read filled with relatable stories and useful exercises,
The Only Way to Win will serve as a powerful wake-up call for business leaders, employees, teachers, and coaches. It will also provide inspiration for readers looking to perform better, achieve more, and change both their own lives and those of the people they influence. Jim Loehr is a world-renowned performance psychologist, co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, and author of fifteen books, including his most recent, The Power of Story. He also co-authored the national bestseller The Power of Full Engagement.
Praise for
The Only Way to Win:
"Jim takes the challenge to achieve success to a new level--one where winning with character and values leads to a life of significance and long-term happiness."
--Steve Reinemund, Dean of Wake Forest Schools of Business and Former CEO, PepsiCo
"Jim’s latest book,
The Only Way to Win, builds on his four decades of work with high achievers in sport and business linking character and purpose in an extraordinary way." --Chip Bergh, CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
"If you read no other book this year, give this gift to yourself, to those you lead, your family, and to anyone for whom you wish to make a positive impact on their lives."
--Phebe Farrow Port, Senior Vice President, Global Management Strategies, The EstÉe Lauder Companies
"Over the years of working with Jim, I have learned how to make a deep investment in character and push my employees and colleagues to achieve more. Jim has it exactly right--character trumps everything!"
--Charlie Kim, CEO, Next Jump
"Jim Loehr has plumbed the depths of human endeavor and offers us an opportunity to confront our most cherished life goals and come out a winner."
--Rear Admiral Ray Smith, US Navy (Ret), Former Commander, US Navy SEALs
Title: The Only Way to Win
Author: Jim Loehr | 3,406 | 1,719 | 0.000591 |
warc | 201704 | Urban Schools: 'Equity and Excellence Cannot Be Divided'
Following are excerpts from An Imperiled Generation, the report of the trustees of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
We begin with one essential declaration: an urban school will be successful only as teachers, administrators, and community leaders have confidence that all students can succeed. Different approaches to learning are required, but all students, regardless of background, should be given the tools and encouragement they need to be socially and economically empowered.
It is unacceptable that, year after year, about one out of every three urban students leaves school before completing the program or receiving a diploma. While the dropout rate among nonwhites has slowed, academic failure rates continue to be considerably higher for minority students than for whites. This gap persists precisely at a time when black and Hispanic students represent a growing proportion of the population.
Equality of opportunity, along with the support to make it real and not merely rhetorical, must be seen as the unfinished agenda for the nation's schools. To expand access without upgrading urban schools is simply to perpetuate discrimination in a more subtle form. But to push for excellence in ways that ignore the needs of less privileged students is to undermine the future of the nation. Clearly, equity and excellence cannot be divided. Unless we find ways to overcome the problem of failure in urban schools, generations of students will continue to be doomed to frustrating, unproductive lives. This nation cannot afford the price of wasted youth.
Accountability: A School Report Card
Holding local schools accountable is perhaps the most important and least effective part of urban education. What is needed is a school report card, one that includes a wide range of measures to evaluate school goals and procedures as well as student progress. We recommend, therefore, that each school be asked to demonstrate, at regular intervals--perhaps on an annual or bi-annual basis--the educational effectiveness of its program. Such a strategy might include reports which respond to the following questions:
Does the school have clearly defined goals? Does the school evaluate the language proficiency of each student? What evidence is there that students are developing their ability to communicate in both the written and spoken word? What are the number and types of books being read by students? Does the school have a core curriculum for all students? What is the general knowledge of students in such fields as history, geography, science, mathematics, literature, and the arts? Is such knowledge appropriately assessed? What is the enrollment pattern among the various educational programs at the school? Specifically, what is the distribution between remedial and academic courses? Is the school organized into small units to overcome anonymity among students and provide a close relationship between each student and a mentor? Are there flexible scheduling arrangements at the school? Is there a program for students to take responsibility for helping each other to learn and for helping to make the school a friendly and orderly place? How well is it succeeding? What teaching innovations have been introduced during the preceding academic year? Are there programs to reward teachers who exercise leadership? Does the school have a well developed plan of renewal for teachers and administrators? Is the school clean, attractive, and well equipped? Does it have adequate learning resources such as computers and a basic library? Can the school document that these resources are used by students and teachers to support effective learning? Are parents active in the school and kept informed about the progress of their children? Are there parent consultation sessions? How many parents participate in such programs? Does the school have connections with community institutions and outside agencies to enrich the learning possibilities of students? What are daily attendance and graduation rates at the school? What changes have occurred in the dropout rate and in students seeking postsecondary education and in getting jobs after graduation? What is being done to improve performance in these areas?
What we envision is an evaluation program in which the school systematically collects information and reports on student progress, not simply on institutional procedures. There is both input and output in the assessment, with a focus not just on means, but ends. For the school, the emphasis should be on a well-planned program, with flexibility, and a climate that supports a community of learning. For the student, the focus should be on language skills, acquisition of general knowledge, and on the capacity to think clearly and integrate ideas. Attention also should be given to books the students read, the service activities they perform, and the uses they make of resources in the school beyond.
State Intervention: A Necessary Step if Failure Persists
It is our deep conviction that when schools continue to fail, swift changes must be made. No other crisis--a flood, a health epidemic, a garbage strike, or even snow removal--would be as calmly accepted without full-scale emergency intervention. Therefore, we propose that the state and local district be authorized to appoint a School Evaluation Team, made up of education officials, along with parents, teachers, and college faculty members, to review a school where unsatisfactory progress is reported. The evaluation team, in its assessment, would have access to school records in addition to the official report. On-site visits would be scheduled. Team members would observe classes and conduct interviews with the principal, teachers, students, and parents.
Upon completion of its site visit, the evaluation team would identify strengths and weaknesses and prepare a specific plan for school improvement. It would outline steps that the state, the district board, and the local school should take. A range of options would be available.
First, the evaluation team might outline a list of emergency steps to be taken by the school itself with the understanding that another mid-year assessment would be scheduled. Second, the team could recommend a continuing review arrangement, citing problems that bear watching. Under this procedure, on-site consultation would be provided by a senior advisor who would spend time working with teachers, counselors, and administrators. An analog for this person might be the "School Inspector'' in the English system who plays the role of prodder, coach, and advocate. Third, the evaluation team might also conclude that the school was failing because of a fiscal crisis. It could then recommend that a special state fund be established to provide emergency aid to the school, proposing also how the additional resources should be spent. Next, the team might conclude that poor leadership is the problem. In this case, it may well recommend removing the principal. This means that the practice of tenure for principals should be ended. Principals should continue in office only so long as they are able effectively to lead the school. Finally, the problems may be so great and so intractable that the school, as organized, cannot be improved. In such a case, the evaluation committee could recommend closing the school, providing new educational arrangements for the students. This would be a strategy of last resort.
Local school control is crucial, but it is insufficient. In the end, students must be served and there may be times when the school, for whatever reason, is unable to provide the conditions for effective education. In such circumstances, public officials have both a legal and moral obligation to intervene.
School-Based Reform: Priorities for Renewal
During our visits, we saw, in all too many cases, a fragmented approach to school improvement. We found isolated examples of good practices but there was no overall design. We conclude that the time has come for a comprehensive program of renewal to be introduced in every school in every city. The exceptional example of excellence must become the rule. What urban schools need is a renewal program that embraces the following commitments:
Special emphasis should be given to preschool and early education. This means that, with government assistance, the nutritional and educational deficiencies of disadvantaged children must be overcome. It also means reorganizing the primary grades as a "basic school'' and giving priority to the language development of each child. School size is crucial, too. All urban schools should be organized into small units--schools-within-schools--to make it possible for teachers to work together and overcome the sense of isolation felt by young people in the inner city. Every student should be well known and counseled by a caring mentor. Every urban school should have clearly defined purposes and a curriculum that prepares students to meet their social and civic obligations, that introduces them to the world of work, and helps them relate activities of the classroom to the realities of their lives. The urban school should be flexible in its scheduling arrangements, offering, for example, work-study and weekend programs, an extended school year, five- and six-year diploma options, independent study, and early college entry. A program of coordinated services also is required to meet the educational, financial, and social needs of students. Good facilities are essential. City schools must be places with good equipment and libraries for effective learning. Federal support is needed to permit the refurbishing of old buildings and the construction of new facilities so students can learn in safe, attractive settings.
Educational success can, and does, occur in city schools and even in the most troubled pockets we found good practices that serve students well. But these effective, common-sense procedures--from early intervention, to smaller schools, to flexible scheduling arrangements--should not be introduced in piecemeal fashion. What urban schools need is a comprehensive renewal program.
Partnerships: The Federal Connection
Whether a school succeeds or fails in its mission depends on the degree of support received from the community it serves, both locally and nationally. How we, as citizens, regard our urban schools determines the morale of the people who work in them and helps students gauge their expectations. Only by building a network of support beyond the school can urban schools improve.
Specifically, we propose a new National Urban Schools Program. Such a program--similar in spirit to the Rural Extension Act that was enacted years ago to help farmers--would make it unmistakably clear that the federal government intends to be a partner in addressing one of today's most compelling social problems--the renewal of urban schools. The National Urban Schools Program would pull together pieces of existing legislation and introduce carefully selected new projects:
First, we recommend that the funding of Head Start be incrementally increased so that all eligible children are served by the year 2000. Second, the appropriation for federal child-nutrition programs should be increased. Third, we propose a 5 percent increase in the funding of Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act each year until all children eligible are provided service. Further, Chapter 1 should continue to focus on basic skills, but the rigid regulations regarding the supplemental support provisions should be loosened. Fourth, a new provision should be added to the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act to make it possible for parents living in poverty to place their children in afternoon and summer enrichment programs of their choice. Fifth, the National Urban Schools Program should contain a provision on teacher renewal, an updated version of the National Defense Education Act, to make summer fellowships available for teachers. This program also would expand the Christa McAuliffe Fellowships Program and reinstitute the Teacher Center program, encouraging teacher teams at the local school to institute their own program of continuing education. Sixth, we propose an Urban School Facilities provision. Such legislation would make available to school districts low-interest loans to demolish or refurbish old buildings and create more attractive, smaller units, or make it possible, where necessary, to relocate in residential or commercial buildings, or shopping centers. Loans also would be available to rebuild science laboratories and to secure technology such as computers for more effective learning. Seventh, the National Urban Schools Program should have a school innovation provision, a fund that would encourage schools to introduce new curriculum or new scheduling arrangements. Finally, the new program should provide incentives for the community colleges and four-year institutions in urban areas to maintain special relationships with schools, to enrich teachers, recruit minority students, train more minority teachers, and help schools in the design of flexible school models. In this sense, higher education would play a role in urban schools analogous to the land-grant mission.
Finally, most funds appropriated under the National Urban Schools Program would be spent in behalf of school districts serving the nation's 100 largest cities.
[Focusing the funds primarily on districts serving the 100 largest cities would guarantee that the money would go to the target population. The smallest of these cities is Worchester, Mass., with a population of 160,000. This would mean that districts in 36 states and the District of Columbia would be eligible for this kind of aid.]
Recognizing that states without big cities also have urgent needs, we propose that 15 percent of the federal allocation of funds be set aside for students in these states whose pockets of disadvantaged children must also be served.
A comprehensive federal program such as this one would in no way signify a lessening of the belief that public education is primarily the responsibility of states and local districts. However, it would be a recognition of the enormity of the task and a declaration that a local, state, and federal partnership is required.
A federal government that can aid localities to build highways, provide for environmental protection, and construct hospitals surely can find a way to play a larger part in securing the future of urban education.
Copyright 1988. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement ofTeaching. Reprinted with permission.
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warc | 201704 | Eastern Europe Pressured To Integrate Roma Students Eastern Europe Pressured To Integrate Roma Students
Gypsies have about as much access to high-quality education in Central and Eastern Europe as African-Americans did in the United States in the early days of the civil rights movement a half-century ago.
At least that's the view of Angela Kóczé, who, as the education director for the European Roma Rights Center, is working untiringly to prod governments in her native Hungary and neighboring lands to improve educational opportunities for her people.
Ms. Kóczé is a member of Central and Eastern Europe's largest minority, a people who arrived in Europe after the 10th century from India. Many Gypsies, also known as Roma, enter school speaking only Romani, but others know the language of the dominant cultures in which they live upon entering school. Historically, Gypsies were primarily nomadic, but most are settled these days.
Their brown skin, impoverished lifestyles, and resistance to many of the customs of the dominant societies have led to some very dark times for Roma, who number some 8 million in Europe. The Nazis killed half a million Gypsies. During the Communist era, governments tried to force their assimilation into the mainstream culture. Still, by some accounts, they fared better economically and socially in that climate than they do now in the new free-market societies of Central and Eastern Europe. Most, in fact, are unemployed.
Since the late 1990s, some international organizations and private financiers have taken up the cause of documenting discrimination against Roma and trying to reverse it. What's more, the European Commission, an arm of the European Union, is demanding that Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia work harder to integrate the Roma into their societies, including the schools, if they want to join the European Union. The commission is providing money to help them do so.
A report issued last year by the commission on the Czech Republic's progress toward joining the European Union singles out education as an area for improvement. "These children still account for some 70 percent of the children sent to special schools, with little chance of later entering mainstream schools," the report says.
But Karl Tomek, the director of preschool and primary education and primary arts schools for the Czech Ministry of Education, said such figures are supplied by activists from foreign countries and are not based on solid research.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Tomek acknowledged that Czech neighborhoods with many Roma often have a higher-than-average number of special schools, which he describes as remedial schools. But, he stressed, it's not because of discrimination. Children are placed in special schools only with their parents' permission, after an evaluation is done, he said. Educators occasionally run into conflict with parents who want their children in the special schools even though they don't need it, Mr. Tomek said.
"There are many Roma parents who themselves went to the special schools. Because of that and because other Roma families have their children in the special schools, they want their children to go there, too," he said. "When these children concentrate in the special schools, the activists come and point to the problem."
At the same time, the Czech government stated in a March document that it was disturbed by the disproportionate number of Gypsies sent to such schools, and it called for the elimination of segregation of Roma in the educational system.
Mr. Tomek said the government was committed to integrating all but the children with the most severe mental deficiencies into the regular schools over the next few years. For several years already, 100 Czech schools have been part of such an experiment. The government has also stepped up efforts to enroll Roma in special preschool classes, in which they are taught the Czech language and prepared academically to enter regular 1st grades.
Homing In on Education
Roma activists and leaders of nonprofit organizations maintain that Gypsies do not have equal access to education and will gain equal participation in European society only when they do.
Save the Children, an international charity based in London, reported last year that the overwhelming majority of Roma children in most Central and Eastern European countries were attending either special schools for those with mental disabilities or remedial schools, with their placements often justified by biased intelligence tests.
"How can we participate equally when more than 70 percent of our children attend segregated schools? The quality is awful," said Rumyan Russinov, a Roma from Bulgaria who directs the Budapest-based Roma Participation Program. The nonprofit organization distributes money to Roma- integration projects. Its underwriters include the European Commission, the New York City-based Open Society Institute, and the U.S. Department of State.
One effort the program sponsors produced what Mr. Russinov believes is a successful model for school desegregation: Six hundred Roma from poor-quality regular schools in Gypsy neighborhoods were transferred into seven high-quality schools in non-Roma areas of Vidin, Bulgaria.
To ensure its success, the project's leaders had to gain the trust of Roma parents and prepare school personnel to receive the children, said Donka Panayotova, a Roma and the leader of the desegregation effort in Vidin. She and others launched a media campaign to sway the non-Roma people toward desegregation, assigned Roma adults to accompany Gypsy children to school, and organized school staff members to provide extra help for students who had educational gaps.
Integration has made a difference for such children as 13-year-old Radoslav Stefanov, Ms. Panayotova said through an interpreter. Radoslav had many educational deficiencies when he transferred to Simon the Great School in Vidin last school year, but this term, he was recognized as one of the school's best students and was selected to attend an international academic camp in Ukraine.
Nonprofit institutions in the Czech Republic are also spearheading efforts to improve education for Roma. The Nova skola, or New School, a nonprofit in Prague, for instance, began in 1997 to train Gypsies to be teacher's assistants.
In 1999, the Education Ministry created formal positions for the assistants and began to pay their salaries. More than 200 such assistants now work in kindergartens, special schools, and regular schools attended by Roma.
Meanwhile, the Step by Step program, financed by the Open Society Institute, set out to prove that most Roma in the Czech Republic who are assigned to schools for students with mental disabilities have no mental deficiency at all.
The project, said Elizabeth Lorant, the director of children and youth programs for the institute, was intended to support a lawsuit filed by the European Court of Human Rights. It alleges that the Czech Republic is violating the human rights of Roma children through segregation based on ethnicity.
Through the project, Step by Step provided anti-racism training to teachers in 16 classrooms of Roma 1st graders in four countries and required them to present the full curriculum of the countries. After two years, 64 percent of the students were able to meet the academic requirements.
Identity Issues
Not too long ago, Mr. Russinov and Ms. Kóczé say, even some well-educated Roma in Central and Eastern Europe didn't want to reveal their ethnic background for fear of exposing themselves to prejudice.
Mr. Russinov, 55, said when he attended university, he would tell people he was Roma, but many other Gypsies wouldn't because they were afraid it would harm their job opportunities.
Ms. Kóczé, who is 32, recalls feeling like a fish out of water as the only Roma attending her high school. "It was strange because everyone knew that I was Roma, but no one wanted to talk about it," she said. "I knew I belonged to a community that was not well-loved. I was ashamed of my parents to come to the high school because they weren't educated and weren't sophisticated like the other parents."
She embraced her identity after a miserable stint of working in a factory right out of high school. She became a teacher in the early 1990s and was assigned by the government to teach 2nd grade in a Budapest school in which 90 percent of the students were Roma.
The school had less-motivated teachers and fewer educational materials than most attended by non-Roma, Ms. Kóczé said. Some teachers were assigned to the school by the government as a punishment; others were retired and taught there just to earn money, she said. She decided she couldn't solve the societal problems of her people by working solely at the school level, so she returned to the university and earned master's degrees in sociology and human rights.
Now, as a human-rights monitor, Ms. Kóczé is frustrated with the pace of change, fearing the gap between the education of Roma and non-Roma has only widened in the decade since she was a teacher. "These children at a very early stage are transferred to a special school or a segregated classroom," she said. "They never have a chance to meet the non-Roma children. Their life is completely cut off."
Coverage of international education is supported in part by agrant from the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Vol. 21, Issue 38, Page 8 | 9,569 | 4,144 | 0.000244 |
warc | 201704 | The Sensitivity Deficit, Bridging the Achievement Gap, and the Naked Chef’s Crusade Teacher Magazine’s take on education news from around the Web, March 25-31.
It’s tough to imagine living on the Red Lake Indian Reservation right now. After the shootings that left eight dead at the high school on March 21 and amid the funeral processions, residents discovered that the tribal chairman’s teenage son had been arrested for conspiring to aid Jeff Weise in the rampage. Although the FBI didn’t provide details, there were rumors that other students may have known of, or been involved with, Jeff’s plans, too. The school’s principal, Chris Dunshee, says he learned about the recent arrest from reporters, adding, “I’m as befuddled as everyone else.” But Victoria Brun, sister of the school security guard who was shot and killed, isn’t so much befuddled as fearful. “I won’t feel safe,” she says. “These kids won’t feel safe. This community won’t feel safe until they’re all brought in custody.”
Regardless of whether Jeff was acting alone, arrests won’t solve the larger problem of preparing teachers nationwide to deal with emotionally disturbed students. Six years ago, after Columbine, everyone was on alert, resulting in beefed-up security, increased sensitivity training, or both. But today, we’re back to square one, with most new teachers taking only a class or two in child psychology before heading into schools. And their primary backup, guidance counselors, are stretched to the limit tending to an average of 478 students each, nearly double the professional guideline. Add to that a Bush budget proposal to eliminate $440 million in state grants promoting “safe and drug-free schools,” and you have institutions without the resources to focus on individual students. Katherine Newman, a Princeton University professor who’s written about school shootings, says, “People are always going to say the school should have done something, but their repertoire is narrow. We don’t like to come face to face with the fact that our remedies are limited.”
There is one group that’s decided they’ve had enough of limited remedies: African American parents. Nationwide, they’ve teamed up with educators and community members to combat the achievement gap by exchanging information on enrichment programs, test prep, and good old-fashioned politics. In Harlem, the focus is on helping needier families, those often overwhelmed by a system more easily navigated by the affluent. Harlem Children’s Zone, a social service outfit, has taken a public awareness campaign to front stoops, churches, and barbecue dinners, letting parents know that simply dropping off their kids at school isn’t enough; they have to be activists. Aisha Tomlinson, a single mother, has bought into the plan. “I only went to the school when I was called,” she admits. “Now, I go to the PTA meeting because I want to know what’s happening.”
Another New York-based effort is being replicated, with mixed results, in the City of Brotherly Love; it’s called the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows program. The one-month boot camp puts career-changers into classrooms as replacements for those who’ve left midyear. They started in early February at $38,000 per year, and thus far, six of the original 60 have resigned. But the 90 percent retention rate is on par with Philly’s average, according to the program’s site manager. And Angelo Williams, a 46-year-old pastor who has let his special ed teenagers know that he’s just as tough and streetwise as they are, says, “I’m having the time of my life.” Perhaps Bill Boesenhofer, a former electrical engineer, is more representative of the program. The 49-year-old, who’s teaching high school science, is struggling to captivate his bored students. He has relied heavily on the help of his principal, who says of Boesenhofer: “He never gives up. That’s the battle, really.”
It looks like the battle to serve British kids healthy school lunches (known as “dinners” in the UK) is just about over. The English government announced this week that it would provide an extra 280 million pounds (more than $500 million) to promote healthy eating habits and change menus at schools, from fried to organic. The announcement came just before Jamie Oliver, aka the “naked chef,” was due to arrive at 10 Downing Street with a petition demanding the funding signed by more than 271,000 people. Oliver has been on a healthy-lunch crusade for months, and his British TV program
Jamie’s School Dinners, in which he helped one school cafeteria alter its menu, is credited with provoking a nationwide parental protest. This being an election year in England, the politicians responded.
Now if we can just get Oliver to cross the pond and do the same in the States.
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warc | 201704 | Measuring Actual Experience to Improve Networked Applications and Services Networks Group Researchers at QM have developed a way of assessing how well network based services perform in terms of human experience. This measure, perceptual quality (PQ), is a new technique that identifies reasons for impairments that people notice when using applications.
Actual Experience (AE), which was formed in 2009 as a spinout of QM, has successfully brought this analytical approach to market. AE's vision is that for organisations of any size and for broadband users at home, the only thing that really matters is whether they are hindered or enabled by the services they consume. AE improves the human experience of applications delivered across global Digital Supply-Chains – allowing people and businesses to work and interact more effectively.
The importance of the global digital economy is indisputable. When people are hindered by IT there is a significant economic and social impact – consumers abandon transactions; individuals and communities are less able to interact and businesses lose revenue as efficiency and morale are affected.
But when IT acts as an enabling technology, the benefits are even more profound – the full economic potential of the multi-trillion dollar Internet economy is unlocked. People and communities are connected and able to consume all that the digital world has to offer – ways to learn, collaborate and engage that transcend national and cultural boundaries.
AE's Analytics-as-Service product takes measurements across global Digital Supply-Chains – gathering information specific to the locations and applications used by AE's customers. These measurements are passed to the Analytics Engine – the result of more than 10 years of research at QM, and the result of AE's intellectual property in both computational algorithms and measurement systems. The Engine performs the complex tasks required to transform simple measurements into meaningful business information:
Understanding whether staff and customers are enabled or hindered by IT; How to mend customer and staff experience; How to de-risk business transformations; How to manage cost without reducing experience.
AE works with customers ranging from global blue chips to governmental organisations, from large enterprise to service providers, and also provides a free service for hundreds of home broadband users.
Our Impact
AE's unique technology benchmarks how good the digital experience should be, quantifies how good it actually is, and continuously triages the Digital Supply-Chain to identify the reasons for the gap between the two. This enables businesses to locate the underperformance that people notice, helping them focus their support resources where they will have the greatest impact.
IT is a huge investment: 3-8% of top line, according to Gartner. And it’s made for one reason – to enable staff and customers to work more effectively. But does that investment represent money well spent? What happens when the lights are green but customers still complain? How can transformations be de-risked, and how is the most extracted from any investment? These are all supply-chain management questions that remain unanswered in the world of Digital Supply-Chains, until now.
When everything appears to be fine, but customers and staff are still complaining, the Digital Supply-Chain isn’t working properly and the business isn’t enabled, it’s hindered.
With business transformations, new Digital Supply-Chains are being built: new networks, datacentres, applications… Can the CIO be confident that their new Digital Supply-Chains won’t harm the business? Failure to meet business KPIs risks brand, operations and efficiency.
Every part of the Digital Supply-Chain seems to require continuous investment. But CIOs have finite resources – how do they know where to invest where customers and staff will notice most?
Recognised by analysts as an emerging new sector concerned with the human impact of IT, Digital Supply-Chain Management answers these questions.
This is what Actual Experience does... enabling business leaders to manage their digital investment better by providing the linkage between IT and business KPIs.
AE's breakthrough in Digital Supply-Chain Management has been recognised with two awards for innovation:
the 2012 IET Innovation Award for Information Technology (www.actual-experience.com/blog/?p=1009 ), and the 2013 BCS UK IT Industry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award (www.actual-experience.com/blog/?p=1158 ).
The company has a growing portfolio of customers (see www.actual-experience.com/customers ) and partners (see www.actual-experience.com/company/partners ) and has completed a £4m funding round to support further expansion and internationalisation (see www.actual-experience.com/blog/?p=1156 ).
In addition, AE has been contracted by Ofcom (the UK communications regulator) to investigate the state of ‘Digital Britain’ and help to improve people’s experience of using the Internet. They are recruiting volunteers to run their free analytics software. Users will see the same analytics as Ofcom, live in their home – enabling them to see how well their broadband can support the nation’s most popular applications. They will also be able to compare their experience against a national standard for broadband excellence. This data, from hundreds of users, helps Actual Experience, Ofcom and broadband providers deliver better service for people all across the UK.
For more information and to get involved, sign-up at www.actual-experience.com/bbfix
A three minute documentary video explains the impact that AE is having on businesses, public bodies, and people at home: www.actual-experience.com/pr/video.html
Underpinning Research
The near-universal language of the Internet Protocol (IP) is the platform that brings together diverse applications and services, communicating over copper, fibre and wireless media.
Despite a diversity of uses that were never envisaged in the early days of the internet – from voice over IP (VoIP) to storing documents in the cloud – IP still works as a universal standard. Although this brings significant operational and cost benefits, there are substantial challenges too: many, varied types of traffic share the same infrastructure and produce such complex behaviours that it is difficult to predict the quality experienced by people using such a wide range of applications.
Blue-sky research in QM’s Electronic Engineering (now EECS) based Networks group over the past twenty years has specialised in the analysis and measurement of complex traffic and network behaviours in packet-based networking technologies. Pitts, Schormans, Mondragon and Phillips have addressed these challenges through four strands of research:
Complexity modelling of network traffic and topology; Parsimonious queueing theory for packet-based network scenarios; Experimental design for measurement in non-linear and complex networks scenarios; Development of Quality of Experience (QoE) as a language for performance evaluation.
Mondragon, Pitts and Arrowsmith (Non-linear dynamics, Mathematical Sciences, QM) began working together in 1996, supported by a series of six EPSRC projects. They developed models of highly variable traffic behaviour (R2) and topology growth (R4) that explain the complexities of large-scale packet-based networks. This led to joint papers (R3) and three patents with Lucent in measuring complexity in 4G mobile networks, and CASE awards with BT labs in internet traffic modelling. The rich club concept pioneered by Mondragon (R4, R6) has been applied in disciplines ranging from international trade to neuroscience.
From 2002-9, with support from EPSRC, Nortel Networks, and the Royal Society, Phillips and Pitts focused on resource management techniques in fibre optic networks to take advantage of traffic variability by better scheduling traffic using uncertainty modelling (R5). This led to a joint patent with Nortel.
From 1995 to 2006, Pitts and Schormans built simple but powerful models that could be used in real time to model packet traffic (R1). The collaboration spawned two key insights: one (joint with Timotijevic, Vodafone) on the limits of measurability in networks, quantifying for the first time the non-linear relationship between accuracy and traffic; and one on the configuration of Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms for graceful QoE degradation, which resulted in support in kind from Cisco for a study of the impact of QoS on network total cost of ownership.
The work on measurability led to Schormans and Pitts’ collaboration with Gilmour (Statistics Sciences Research Institute, Univ. of Southampton) and Moore (Computer Laboratory, Univ. of Cambridge) on the Theory of the Design of Experiments applied to optimal measurement of networks (2008 - present). The QoS work led to Pitts' development of QoE formulations as a language for performance evaluation and impairment diagnosis, research which has not been published for commercial reasons.
AE was formed in 2009 to offer these QoE formulations as a measurement and diagnosis service for businesses and consumers. Ongoing research funded by AE has led to the development of measures that reflect real human experience. This makes it possible to locate the infrastructure components in the digital supply chain that cause PQ impairments.
The key staff who carried out the research were Prof. Jonathan Pitts, Dr John Schormans, Dr Raul Mondragon, and Dr Chris Phillips.
References
R1: Pitts, JM., Schormans, JA., Introduction to IP and ATM Design and Performance, 2000, Wiley. R2: Woolf M., Arrowsmith DK., Mondragón RJ., Pitts JM., Optimization and phase transitions in a chaotic model of data traffic, Phys. Rev. E, Volume 66, Issue 4, 2002. R3: Ho LTW., Samuel LG., Pitts JM., Applying emergent self-organising behaviour for the coordination of 4G networks using complexity metrics, Bell Labs Technical Journal 8(1), 2003. R4: Shi Zhou, Mondragon RJ., The rich-club phenomenon in the Internet topology, IEEE Communications Letters, vol.8, no.3, pp. 180-182, March 2004. R5: Dong S., Phillips C., and Friskney R., Differentiated-Resilience Provisioning in the Wavelength routed Optical Network, IEEE Journal of Lightwave Technology, pp. 667 - 673, Vol. 24 No. 2, February 2006. Volume 24, Issue 2. R6: Mondragon RJ., Topological Modelling of Large Networks, Philosophical Transactions A, Royal Society, London, doi:10/1098/rsta.2008. | 10,661 | 4,776 | 0.000213 |
warc | 201704 | Old unused fireplaces are a source of cold air in the home. The vents are necessary to provide air flow into a fireplace for proper combustion of the wood. The vents serve no function when a fireplace isn't being used. They may be covered as part of your energy-saving plan for your home.
Skill level: Easy Other People Are Reading Things you need Electric drill Masonry drill bit set Masonry screws of your desired diameter Can of light mineral oil Sheet of tin Tube of caulk Caulking gun Measuring tape Eye protection goggles Dust mask Carpenter's square Tin snips Sharp-pointed awl
Show MoreHide
Instructions 1
Measure the length and width of your vent hole and add 1 to 2 inches to each side of the measurement. Write this modified measurement on a piece of paper.
2
Purchase two or more sheets of metal tin. Using a carpenters square, scratch out the rectangular area of the same measurements you wrote down in Step 1. Cut the rectangular cover out of the tin sheet with a pair of tin snips.
3
Apply a heavy bead of caulk around the edge of the vent you desire to cover. If you only desire a temporary seasonal cover, use foam window sealing strips instead. Place the tin over the top of the your chosen seal and hold it in position.
4
Drill holes 1/4-inch from the edges of the tin. Drill one hole in each corner and one hole between the corner holes on each side, drilling all holes with a properly sized bit that matches the size of masonry screws you will use to mount the panel. While drilling, squeeze lightweight machine oil onto the bit to prevent overheating and damage to the bit.
5
Screw the panel down tightly over top of the underlying seal with your masonry screws, creating a tight seal to prevent moisture and air leakage.
Don't Miss 20 of the funniest online reviews ever 14 Biggest lies people tell in online dating sites Hilarious things Google thinks you're trying to search for | 1,918 | 1,012 | 0.000996 |
warc | 201704 | Wearing ill-fitting shoes, excessive walking, standing, injury and other factors cause sore feet. Ease foot pain by using a few at-home techniques and prevention methods. Once your feet are no longer sore, identify what is causing the pain. Those who are constantly on their feet, like servers, construction workers and nurses, may not be able to escape sore feet after taking precautions. Prevention may not completely end the pain, but it can decrease it.
Skill level: Easy Other People Are Reading Things you need Plastic tub large enough to hold feet Hot water Epsom salts Foot cream Massage oil Towel Pillows Chair or table
Show MoreHide
Instructions 1
Fill the plastic tub half way with the hot water. The temperature should be like bathwater. Add one cup of the Epsom salts.
2
Dip your bare feet into the tub. Soak for 20-30 minutes. Add cold water during the soak. If you have cracks in your skin, the salt water will help soften it.
3
Rub oil into your feet as you massage them. Apply gentle pressure to the areas that hurt the most. Rub the area using a circular motion.
4
Wipe the oil off with a warm, wet towel. The warmth will aid in soothing your feet.
5
Rub foot cream into your skin. This keeps your skin from drying out after the soak. It also helps heal painful skin cracks.
6
Stack two or three pillows onto a chair or table. The surface of the chair or table should be 2-4 inches above your heart. Place your feet on the pillows. Lay like this for 30 minutes. This helps reduce swelling.
1
Visit a shoe store that measures feet. Have your feet measured to learn your correct size. Buy shoes in that size. Throw out or give away your shoes that do not fit. Remember to try on shoes before buying them. Some types and brands of shoes may fit differently, regardless of the size.
2
Purchase insoles or arch supports and insert them into your shoes. Visit a medical supply store if you cannot find an arch support high enough to fit your foot. If you cannot find a support that fits you, contact a podiatrist about having custom orthotics made.
3
Sit down for 10-20 minutes after standing for two or more hours.
4
Visit a podiatrist if your foot pain persists more than a week after changing shoes and wearing insoles. The treatment will depend on the root cause of the problem. Some conditions, like bunions, may require surgery.
Tips and warnings If you must wear high heels, do not wear a heel higher than 1.5 inches. If you have cracked heels, a professional pedicure can help the healing process. Don't Miss 20 of the funniest online reviews ever 14 Biggest lies people tell in online dating sites Hilarious things Google thinks you're trying to search for | 2,702 | 1,374 | 0.000735 |
warc | 201704 | A misrepresented odometer can cost you money if you proceed unknowingly into a sale. An automobile with high mileage will have a lower value than one with a relatively small number of miles. A higher-mileage car will likely incur greater maintenance costs, as its extended use would wear out parts that would need to be replaced or repaired. Checking the odometer reading can be a time-consuming, but necessary, step to ensure someone hasn't tampered with the reading to sell you an inferior car for a superior price.
Skill level: Moderate Other People Are Reading Instructions 1
Ask to see the title and maintenance records for the vehicle. The title will list the mileage and the date the title was issued. Frequently, maintenance records, especially when produced by service technicians, will also contain mileage readings. You might also find mileage information on stickers left on the window or door frame from the last scheduled oil change.
2
Verify that these numbers make sense. For example, if the title was issued three years ago and listed the vehicle as having 80,000 miles, you know something is wrong if the odometer reading is now at 30,000. Likewise, six scheduled oil changes within 6,000 miles is also way off, since most manufacturers recommend an oil change only once every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. These numbers simply do not add up.
3
Look closely at the odometer, assuming it is a traditional rolling style. Any misalignment in the numbers could indicate tampering.
4
Test drive the car and watch the odometer. If the odometer numbers don't move or the owner says it's simply broken, then you know you can't trust the reading.
5
Examine the car for areas -- tires, pedals and sometimes seats -- that are typically worn away with age. Heavy wearing, such as bald tires, on a low-mileage vehicle could indicate that either the odometer is inaccurate or the driver has been abusive to the vehicle. In either case, you might not want to purchase the vehicle.
6
Check Carfax for a free odometer report (see Resources). Although there are other services offered for a fee, an odometer check on this website is free. This method is not guaranteed to catch all faults, since not all vehicles are in the Carfax system and not all mileages are recorded past the title date.
Don't Miss 20 of the funniest online reviews ever 14 Biggest lies people tell in online dating sites Hilarious things Google thinks you're trying to search for | 2,459 | 1,266 | 0.000795 |
warc | 201704 | Horses are known for speed and agility, but the stresses of running and bearing weight can damage their legs, specifically the fetlock joints. While the term "broken fetlock" is common, the fetlock actually refers to a joint comprised of tendons and ligaments attached to bone. A broken fetlock can be an injury to the bone or soft tissue. Horse owners, trainers, and riders should be aware of any signs or symptoms of fetlock injury. Do not rely on outward appearances and symptoms when determining the nature of fetlock injury. X-rays and veterinarian care are necessary to formally diagnose. Horses with any symptoms of fetlock distress should immediately get veterinarian care to avoid further complications. Athletic Animals warns owners that the long-term prognosis of their horse can be affected by timely medical care.
Other People Are Reading Broken Bones
When a veterinarian diagnoses a horse with a broken fetlock, it is generally one of the sesamoid bones, adjacent to the fetlock joint, which is actually broken. Fractured sesamoids often occur after long runs carrying heavy weight. A horse will usually suffer from immediately lameness upon fracturing the sesamoid. The fetlock joint will frequently be pulled downward because of lack of support following the fracture. The lowered fetlock causes more weight and pressure on the heel, which forces the toe to point up. The fetlock may also be hyperextended. The horse's leg may be swollen, hot and painful.
Joint Injuries
The ligaments and tendons of the fetlock joint are highly susceptible to injury. Pain and swelling of the joint area is indicative of a fetlock injury, according to Thoroughbred Times. There is often lameness, or in milder injury, a limp. Symptoms can suddenly occur or appear gradually over time. Inflammation is often the first sign of injury. Athletic Animals advises that injury to the fetlock joint is often recurring.
Dropped Fetlock
Another common injury to the fetlock is a dropped fetlock. Often occurring in older horses, dropped fetlocks cause pain and tenderness. The horse may suddenly become lame or may gradually develop lameness in the early stages. A dropped fetlock can cause difficulty standing and moving, severe inflammation, and changes in behaviour. A horse suffering from a dropped fetlock may lean against fences and walls and sit on buckets, seeking relief from the pain. They can be irritable from the pain.
Don't Miss 20 of the funniest online reviews ever 14 Biggest lies people tell in online dating sites Hilarious things Google thinks you're trying to search for | 2,592 | 1,242 | 0.000809 |
warc | 201704 | Memory Tests You Can Take Right Now
By Gretchen Heuring | 01.28.2011
Here are a few memory tests that have been developed by researchers at established Universities and research centers (Harvard, for example) The tests are free but they all need a bit of information from you. Usually they just want your name and an email. Everything is kept confidential so their work won't be tarnished. If you think something is wrong with yourself or a loved one, these tests will give you a chance to find out.
Think You Can't Remember Faces?
Face blindness, or "prosopagnosia," is often accompanied by other kinds of recognition problems. Everyone has trouble remembering faces sometimes but people with prosopagnosia can't recognize people they are with often like spouses or children.
Researchers at Harvard, Cambridge and University College in London have developed an online test for face blindness. To take the test you will have to allow them to use the results in their research and you will be anonymous. Otherwise, it's free. I took it and discovered that I recognize faces better than I thought I did.
Cambridge Face Memory Test
How Is Your Short-Term Memory Really?
A research group at Harvard invites anyone to test their short-term memory by taking an on-line test. They use the results for research but who you are is kept confidential. The test is fun and it feels right to help researchers.
Keeping Things In Mind
How Fast Do You Think?
Here's an online test that measures the speed of your brain. You are asked to register to take the test.
Memory Speed Test | 1,581 | 855 | 0.001182 |
warc | 201704 | “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” ~ Carl Gustav Jung
My brain is hard-wired to zone in on imperfections, so when I get in front of a mirror, my inner critic takes the reigns and has a field day. The inner critic voice is pervasive, playing like background music in my head most of the time, but gets much louder inside a fitting room at the mall standing under soberingly bright fluorescent lights in front of a three-way, full-length mirror.
This critic points out, one-by-one and with great attention to detail, all the things it finds wrong and unacceptable about me. There I am, just me and my reflection in a public fitting room with utterly loathsome feelings about my body and subsequently about my entire self.
I’ve given shopping trips the power to catapult me into a body-shaming spiral of deep depression. The
downward spiral happens rather quickly, leaving the equivalent of a hurricane’s aftermath on my mental state.
But flaws are perceived. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder then ugly is too, no? We see what we look for. Our perceptions undoubtedly create our reality. It doesn’t matter that I have beautiful eyes or a sparkly smile, I zero in on my cellulite and stretch-marked thighs and facial blemishes because that is all my inner critic perfectionist can see. And thus my reality is created, a distorted reality of not being good enough and therefore not being worth—all because I’m not perfect.
As women, we must get this idea out of our head that we are unlovable if our thighs touch. The opposite is true—we are inherently worthy and immensely lovable and always will be, even if and especially if, our thighs touch.
Stop the needless suffering. Stop the fat chat. Start a radical revolution of body acceptance.
Somewhere beneath the endless diet fads, detoxes, and cleanses, the “I’ll-be-happy-whens” and the “once I’m in my skinny jeans daydreams,” there is a person.
Underneath the muffin-tops and bra-pinching flesh, there is a person. A person who needs your unconditional love. That is—love without conditions.
Not once you lose the last five lbs. (or the first 50), but right now, as you are. You are a beautiful, wonderful, multi-faceted human being with a miraculous body, mind, and soul. And I know this because I am too.
Let’s start a revolution and let’s love our bodies no matter what flaws we perceive them to have.
They do so much for us. In the idea of MLK Jr., love is the only thing that can drive out hate. Body-love. Self-love. Love is the answer.
“Enjoy your body, use it every way you can–don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.” –Kurt Vonnegut
We all know what happens when we treat our bodies like our own worst enemies. I propose we try the other route and
radically accept our bodies. Acceptance naturally leads to love and gratitude. And while we’re at that, why not enjoy them too. Enjoying the way you feel in your body is a byproduct of accepting it as it is. Enjoy the way the sun rays hit your skin, the way the wind blows your hair.
Buddha said, “you, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
Next time you find yourself standing in front of a mirror, see if you can love the person looking back at you.
Love elephant and want to go steady?
Apprentice Editor: Jessica Sandhu / Editor:
Photos: Flickr
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warc | 201704 | Why use smart materials?
Since most smart materials do not add mass, engineers can endow structures with built-in responses to a myriad of contingencies. In their various forms, these materials can adapt to their environments by changing characteristics and can provide information about structural and environmental changes.
A single source on numerous aspects of intelligent materials Smart Materials focuses on many types of novel materials, including ceramics, hybrid composites, shape memory alloys, chitosan-based gels, adhesives, oxides, polymers, flip-chip technology,magnetorheological fluids,electrorheological materials, nanotubes, and sensors. It highlights the interdisciplinary nature of these materials by showing how they can be used in scores of areas, such as drug delivery systems, health monitoring, fiber optics, nanoscale engineering, vibration control, andmolecular imprinting. Gain insight from leading experts who specialize in smart materials technology
With over fifty years of experience working and teaching in this field, the editor has compiled numerous insightful contributions from an extensive group of leading experts. In this volume, they share their expertise and explore the innovative progress that has occurred in smart material products, components, systems, and structures.
. | 1,323 | 705 | 0.001425 |
warc | 201704 | A-Fib Drug May Up Mortality Risk, Especially in Kidney Failure Patients
(HealthDay News) — Patients with atrial fibrillation who take digoxin may face a nearly 30% greater risk of death than patients not taking the drug, a review of prior research suggests. The findings are to be presented March 15 at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology, held from March 14–16 in San Diego.
The studies included in the new review were conducted between 1960–2014. Of 458,311 atrial fibrillation patients in the pooled analysis, 111,978 were taking digoxin.
Those taking digoxin were found to face a 21% greater risk of death from a heart-related issue, and a 27% greater risk of death from any cause, compared to patients not taking the drug. Although digoxin was also linked to a higher risk for death among patients diagnosed with both atrial fibrillation and heart failure, that association appeared somewhat weaker, according to the researchers. An especially high risk (60–70% increase in mortality) was seen for patients with both atrial fibrillation and kidney failure, compared to that seen for similar patients not taking digoxin.
"We found a very strong signal that a significant portion of digoxin users faced an increased risk for death, vs. those who took other medications," Waqas Qureshi, MD, a clinical and research fellow of cardiology at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, told
HealthDay. "Even though this is just a pooling of data from other studies which needs to be confirmed by clinical trials, the message for now is that other first-line medications – such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers – should be tried first." | 1,722 | 882 | 0.001161 |
warc | 201704 | Factors Associated with Greater Dabigatran Adherence
Appropriate patient selection and pharmacist-led monitoring were linked to greater adherence to dabigatran among patients with atrial fibrillation at Veterans Health Administration sites, according to a recent study published in
JAMA.
Dabigatran is a target-specific oral anticoagulant (TSOAC) that does not require periodic laboratory testing like warfarin. Earlier research has shown that suboptimal adherence to dabigatran was associated with a higher risk of stroke and death.
Researchers from the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine studied site-level variation in adherence to dabigatran and modifiable site-level practices that improved adherence in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). A total of 67 sites with ≥20 patients filling dabigatran prescriptions between 2010-2012 for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (n=4,863) were included as well as 47 pharmacist from 41 eligible sites.
Median proportion of patients adherent to dabigatran was 74%. The team found that higher adherence was seen with appropriate patient selection and pharmacist-led monitoring (eg, determining medication administration and storage, frequency of missed doses with timely lab testing). For patients who were non-adherent, pharmacist collaboration with clinicians also increased adherence rates.
Study findings support utilizing site-level modifiable targets to improve patient adherence to dabigatran vs. patient characteristics that usually cannot be modified, researchers conclude.
For more information visit JAMAnetwork.com. | 1,625 | 822 | 0.001227 |
warc | 201704 | ENCOD BULLETIN ON DRUG POLICIES IN EUROPE
DECEMBER 2011
TOWARDS A BETTER EUROPEAN RESPONSE TO DRUGS?
All the versions of this article:[italiano] [Español] [English] [Nederlands] [français] [slovenčina] [Deutsch]
On 25 Oct. 2011 the EC published “
Towards a stronger European response to drugs”, a “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and to the Council”.
The EC communication can be summarised as: “We need more of the same, no explanation needed.”
I think we must protest against it for a number of reasons.
The EC simply announces their decision that the “response to drugs” must be stronger, and better coordinated between the EU countries. The text does not explain
why the “European response” should need to be stronger, and not, instead, of a different nature.
The most striking thing from this “communication” is that although it does contain some data from the EMCDDA, no mention is made of the Reuter/Trautmann Report, entitled “Report on Global Illicit Drug Markets 1998 – 2007”. This thorough report, commissioned by the EC and paid for by European taxpayers, concluded (in short and in my words) that the international efforts to fight drugs have produced serious damage all over the globe, without signs of compensatory positive effects.
Like many other addicts, the EC operates from a position of denial, as if no sane person could argue for legal regulation, and as if there is no reason to consider alternatives.
The authors of the communication have done a bad job of analysing the existing situation. As a consequence of their desperate clinging to prohibition, what they produced is a new example of fact-free policy.
In the last few years a growing number of former heads of state, ministers, and high public officials have expressed their opinion that the war on drugs must be replaced by a system of legal regulation. This also happened at the EC itself. I see no reason to avoid the embarassing fact that soon after his retirement, Carel Edwards, the predecessor of Mrs Dana Spinant (Head of the Drugs Coordination Unit of the European Commission), joined one of the major organisations that advocate the end of prohibition, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. LEAP is an international organisation, started in the USA among former and active police officers and people working for the Justice Dept.
This is not an initiative of the EC staff. They know there are no compelling arguments for an intensification of the war on drugs. This can only be an initiative of the responsable Commissioner, Viviane Reding, herself and/or of the EC as a whole.
One reason may have been the recent change in the authorship of the new drug strategy. The drug strategy for the next period will not be written by the EC, but by the Council. The Council will be presided over by Denmark in the first half of next year, and by Cyprus from 1 July onwards.
Also, the Commissioner is, or should be, aware of the fact that it will be increasingly difficult to avoid open discussion of alternative policies than prohibition. If the EC does not give an opinion now, she will only get a chance later in the procedure, but the EC wants to steer it from the start like they have been used to do.
In its effort to inform the EP and the Council, the EC could better have said the following:
We feel it is our duty to confront you with the severely diminishing credibility of current drug policy. The last instance, as we hope you noticed, is the report published by the Global Commission on Drug Policy in June 2011. In Nov. 2011 the conclusions of this report were undersigned by new groups of people, many of whom experienced responsibilities in drug policy. The report has a short but very relevant list of references, which gives a clear picture of the lack of positive results from UN drug policy, which form the basis of EU drug policy.
We must inform you that the demand for debate and for a review of prohibitive drug policies will get stronger, and is based on better evidence than a prolongation of prohibitive policy. The Civil Society Forum on Drugs of the European Commission, which we hope will support a debate on EU drug policy, cannot be expected to agree. It is as divided as the real world.
Probably, similar words were said in closed meetings and in private contacts.
The “communication” from the EC is a sort of pre-emptive strike, to try and force the European Council to agree on a more intensive strategy quickly and without any critical thinking. In the communication, the EC announced a public questionnaire on its website, which has started already. It contains mostly administrative questions, but also leaves room, for comments. It seems the EC wants the Council to make up its mind before the results of the questionnaire and of the ongoing civil society consultation become public. It is well known in Brussels, as elsewhere, that the demand for a different drug policy is growing, especially among people who know more about it than average, and that it will become more difficult to avoid this debate within the EC. The intended “stronger response” will cause even more “unintended” harm, and will not be easier to undo.
ENCOD is planning to protest against the EC plan, with friendly organisations and with the help of Members of the European Parliament.
We still hope that we will succeed in organising the badly needed debate on alternative drug policies at the EU.
By Frederik Polak
ENCOD NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT:
Account: 001- 3470861-83 Att. ENCOD vzw - Belgium
Bank: FORTIS, Warandeberg 3, 1000 Brussels
IBAN: BE 14 0013 4708 6183
SWIFT: GEBABEBB | 5,751 | 2,802 | 0.000367 |
warc | 201704 | Two assumptions dominate the current policy debate about assessment: first, that changes in the assessment policy can be used as a lever for reforming schools, and second, that the new “authentic” forms of assessment are inherently superior to traditional standardized, multiple-choice tests. These assumptions have largely been unchallenged despite the fact that there is little empirical evidence to indicate that they are valid.
Contributors to a recent symposium in the Harvard Educational Review point out that it is doubtful that merely changing the form of assessments will improve schools or reduce educational inequities in the United States. These educators point out that there is no quick fix through assessment reform — that we can not test, examine or assess our way out of our educational problems.
Linda Darling-Hammond, Teachers College,Columbia University, writes that alternative assessment methods are not inherently equitable, nor will they necessarily improve teaching and learning unless careful attention is paid to the ways the assessments are used. If assessment reform is driven by mistrust of teachers or fails to involve teachers or is used as a lever for external control of the schools, it is not likely to be successful. Darling-Hammond argues instead for “top-down support for bottom-up reform.”
Darling-Hammond reminds educators that traditional, standardized, multiple choice tests fail to measure complex cognitive and performance abilities. In addition, they do not help teachers understand students’ strengths, needs, or approaches to learning and thereby inhibit the ability of teachers to adapt their instruction to increase student learning. Authentic, performance-based assessments can provide teachers with more useful classroom information, but Darling-Hammond states that testing policies must also be aimed at supporting the use of this information by teachers. Proposals for assessment reform differ in the extent to which they:
1. broaden the roles of educators, students and parents in assessment,
2. aim to make assessment part of the teaching/learning process and use it to serve developmental and educational purposes rather than sorting and selecting purposes,
3. support either a problem-based interdisciplinary curriculum or a coverage-oriented curriculum, and
4. regard assessment reform as part of a broader national agenda to improve and equalize educational opportunities.
These varied approaches to assessment reform predict very different consequences. Changes in the forms of assessment alone are unlikely to enhance educational equity or quality unless we also change the ways in which assessments are used.
Impact of standardized testing policies
The research of Howard Gardener, Harvard, and Robert Sternberg, Yale, shows that intelligence has many dimensions. Previously, intelligence has been assumed to be an innate, fixed and measurable commodity, and that measuring intelligence would allow people to be ranked against each other. Unfortunately, the use of standardized tests to sort students has led to ineffective as well as inequitable education.
Retaining students on the basis of achievement cutoffs on tests has proved ineffective because repeating a grade does not help a student gain ground academically and has a negative impact on social adjustment and self-esteem. Retention is costly and increases dropout rates by 40 to 50 percent. Similarly, research in minimum-skills tests for graduation indicates that even though chances of employment and welfare dependency are linked to graduation from high school, neither employability nor earnings are significantly affected by students’ scores on basic skills tests. The use of the test as the sole determinant of graduation imposes heavy personal and societal costs without any tangible benefits.
In addition, when standardized tests results are used to reward or sanction schools, this encourages schools to influence test results in a number of ways that have very negative consequences for students. Because scores on any test are sensitive to the population of students taking the test, there are incentives for schools to influence their scores by keeping out students who they fear will lower their scores. These include students who are handicapped, speak little English or come from educationally disadvantaged environments.
By labeling large numbers of these low-scoring students for special education placement, by retaining students so their relative standing will look better on grade-equivalent scores, by excluding certain students from open-enrollment schools and by encouraging such students to drop out, schools can raise their scores. In addition, capable teachers are less likely to risk losing rewards or incurring sanctions by volunteering to teach in schools with low achievement scores.
The inequality of financial support between school districts means also that schools in poor districts cannot compete with wealthier districts for good teachers or provide equal resources and materials for their students. The use of testing to reward or punish schools works against equity, and changing the test format, by itself, will not alter this.
Building and equitable system
Highly standardized, externally controlled tests have been relied upon because it was believed that teachers could not make sound decisions about what students know and are able to do. Darling-Hammond believes that the reason the United States lacks a complex, student-centered approach to teaching and assessment is because we have not invested enough in teacher education and professional development. Reforms, she recommends, must ensure that all teachers have a stronger understanding of how children learn and develop, how assessment can be used to evaluate what they know and how they learn, how a variety of curricular and instructional strategies can meet their needs, and how changes in school and classroom organization can support their growth and achievement.
Substantial teacher and student involvement in and control over assessment strategies is critical if assessment is to support a challenging curriculum for every student. Reformers believe that new assessments must be used to inform and improve teaching and learning. To do this, assessment must be integrally connected to the teaching and learning process so that students’ strengths and weaknesses are identified and used to develop appropriate instruction. Assessment should improve learning and teaching in schools. Some state assessment programs change the nature of existing standardized tests without changing the locus of control, the scoring or the uses of results.
Some new tests are still being used primarily for ranking students and schools and for maintaining control of instruction outside of individual schools. Darling-Hammond believes that if performance-based assessments are used in the same way that traditional standardized tests are used now, they are even more likely to highlight differences in students’ learning and probably won’t help either teachers to restructure their teaching or schools to improve students’ learning.
Conclusions
Changing assessment forms and formats without changing the ways in which they are used will not affect the outcomes of education, warns Darling-Hammond. In order for performance-based assessment to support students’ learning, it must include teachers in all stages of the development process and must be embedded in the curriculum and teaching activities. Its main aim should be to support more informed and student-centered teaching rather than to sort students and sanction schools.
Performance-based assessment must be intimately understood by teachers, students and parents. The assessment must allow for different starting points for learning and diverse ways of demonstrating competence. In order for schooling to improve, assessment must be an integral part of staff discussion and school development. Darling-Hammond believes that the goal of schooling is to educate all children well rather than to select a small, talented group to educate to a high level. Finally, as long as some students receive only a fraction of the school resources that support education in wealthier districts, testing students can not provide accountability.
“Performance-Based Assessment and Educational Equity”, Harvard Educational Review, Volume 64, Number 1, Spring 1994, pp.5-29.
Published in ERN, May/June 1994, Volume 7, Number 3. | 8,573 | 3,606 | 0.00028 |
warc | 201704 | This summer’s chemistry section at University of Illinois-Springfield began with the same challenge that I always face with my students: how to get them to engage with the material and get excited about what they are learning. Keeping students’ minds active in the classroom is so important, and interacting with students in a meaningful way encourages them to actively apply their knowledge – which is an essential step to track how well students understand class material, before they are tested and graded in the course.
Chemistry is a complex subject, and it often takes many students a significant amount of time to grasp and master the concepts presented in both introductory and advanced-level courses. As an educator, I’m always interested in ways to make the learning process for my students better and easier. I have watched the recent emergence of mobile education apps, and brainstormed ways to incorporate mobile learning into my chemistry classes. There is no question that students enjoy learning with mobile devices, such as the iPad, and these are meaningful learning tools.
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Next page: A new chemistry app can help students) | 1,168 | 637 | 0.001604 |
warc | 201704 | IMPAKT News: Breast cancer in young women A biologically distinct disease Date: 07 May 2012 Topic: Breast cancer
Breast cancer in young women is a biologically unique disease that requires customized management strategies, researchers reported at the 4
th IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference (3-5 May 2012), in Brussels, Belgium.
The new findings have potentially important implications for treatment, because breast cancer in young women is often aggressive and diagnosed at an advanced stage, meaning the prognosis for these patients is often poor.
Dr Hatem Azim Jr, a medical oncologist from Institute Jules Bordet in Brussels, and colleagues showed that breast cancer in women forty-years or younger is enriched with the aggressive basal-like tumours. Moreover, these patients have a significantly higher risk of relapse independent of stage, histological grade, breast cancer molecular subtypes and treatment received.
Elucidating possible reasons for poor outcome in young women with breast cancer
A subgroup analysis showed a particularly poor trend in patients with luminal tumours, i.e. oestrogen receptor positive. While some investigators could refer this to poor compliance of young women to hormonal therapies, the Belgian researchers performed another analysis in 1,188 women who did not receive any systemic therapy and indeed found significant poor outcome in young women both in luminal-A and luminal-B tumours. Luminal-A cancers are ER+ and low-grade, while luminal-B cancers are ER+ but often high grade.
To elucidate the possible reasons behind the poor outcome in young women, Dr Azim and co-workers went on to study the expression of a variety of genes in women with breast cancer to see if they correlated with age. They adjusted their findings to take into account the size of the tumour at diagnosis, whether the disease had spread to lymph nodes, and breast cancer molecular subtype, in addition to other variables.
Several genes and gene signatures significantly associated with age
The researchers performed their analysis on two independent datasets, including 1,188 and 2,334 patients, and found the same results in both cases. They found that even after adjustment for these parameters, there are several genes and gene signatures that are significantly associated with age in breast cancer patients. Some were highly expressed in young women, including stem cells, luminal progenitors, RANK-ligand (RANKL) and c-kit, while others were down-regulated, such as genes related to programmed cell death, or apoptosis.
Their findings show that breast cancer arising at a young age seems to be associated with age-related biological processes, which appear to be independent of other prognostic factors that are commonly used by oncologists.
Dr Bryan Hennessy, who discussed the results, underlined the study limitations because data originate from different databases, and unknown prior treatments.
Signalling pathways in breast cancers of young women
The genomic analysis also identified a number of signalling pathways in the breast cancers of young women that could be potential targets for treatment, Dr Azim’s group reported. For example, a gene signature of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase molecular pathway was highly associated with young age. PI3k is an important targetable signalling pathway in breast cancer and according to Dr Azim, these results could encourage investigating its role in breast cancer arising in young women.
They also found that a RANKL is highly expressed in young women with breast cancer. RANKL is known to play a vital role in the spread of cancer to the bones, and emerging preclinical data have shown that RANKL appears to have an anti-tumour effect apart from its role in bone metastasis.
Putting all the information in context, the researchers from Institute Jules Bordet hypothesized that perhaps targeting RANKL could be particularly interesting in young breast cancer patients. They are in fact planning a clinical trial in which premenopausal breast cancer patients will receive two injections of denosumab, which is a RANK-ligand inhibitor, one week before surgery. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of RANK-ligand targeting on the biology of the tumour. The study, called D-BEYOND, is expected to start in 2012 in three Belgian centres.
In other results presented at IMPAKT, the researchers investigated the prognostic performance of known gene expression signatures according to age. As breast cancer arising below the age of 40 is relatively uncommon, the researchers lack information on whether different gene signatures provide prognostic information in a uniform way across different age groups. Therefore, they tested three proliferation-related signatures and found that they add prognostic information in all patients with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer, irrespective of age. According to Dr Azim, this is clinically relevant as it underscores that these gene signatures could identify women below the age of 40 with oestrogen receptor positive disease who are at a low risk of relapse independent of clinical prognostic tools. | 5,148 | 2,165 | 0.000464 |
warc | 201704 | Greece, Cyprus and Spain are facing claims from speculative investors worth more than €1.7 billion in a series of eurozone-related investor-state disputes that could spiral dramatically under a proposed EU-US trade deal known as TTIP, a new report says.
The study ‘Profiting from Crisis’, is launched today (10 March) by campaigning group Corporate Europe Observatory and the Trans-National Institute, as the EU begins a public consultation on the regulatory implications of any agreement.
The paper finds that “a growing wave” of corporate lawsuits from investors burned in Europe’s recent economic crisis risks repeating the banking sector bail-out that precipitated it. Many of these litigants are “circling vultures” looking for short-term bargains and not long-term investments, the report claims.
“At a time when ordinary people across Europe have been stripped of many basic social rights, it is perverse that the EU supports an international investment regime which provides VIP protection to largely speculative foreign investors,” said Cecilia Olivet, the report’s co-author.
The study lists several cases to back up its claims. In Cyprus, Marfin Investment Group, a Greek-listed private equity-style investor is currently seeking €823 million in compensation for 'haircut’ losses caused by Cyprus’s nationalisation of the Laiki Bank.
Slovakia’s Poštová Bank bought Greek debt after the bond value had already been downgraded and, despite being offered a generous debt restructuring package, then sued Greece for a better deal under the Bilateral Investment Treaty between the two countries.
In Spain, the report says that arbitration disputes by corporate investors have claimed more than €700 million, a sum which, augmented by lawyers’ fees, will need to be paid for out of the public purse.
Activists fear that even the sums involved in these cases could be dwarfed by awards that could follow the inclusion of ‘fair and equitable treatment’ clauses in the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) allowing action by investors against alleged breaches of their ‘legitimate expectations’ of profit.
'Political madness'
“Speculative investors are already using investment agreements to raid the cash-strapped public treasuries in Europe’s crisis countries,” said Pia Eberhardt, a campaigner for Corporate Europe Observatory. “It would be political madness to grant corporations the same excessive rights in the even more far-reaching EU-US trade deal.”
The new report cites figures indicating that 75,000 cross-registered firms with subsidiaries in the EU and US could launch investor-trade actions under the proposed TTIP agreement.
“This danger is even more present given that EU and US businesses know very well how to work the system, having already launched the majority (64%) of all investor-state disputes known globally,” the paper says. “The notoriously litigious US law firms may already be getting their knives out to join them in fighting regulations they dislike on both sides of the Atlantic.”
More than half of all foreign direct investment in the EU area would be covered by the TTIP, the paper says, much of it coming from Wall Street companies.
Bullishness by US negotiators and increasing concerns in the EU about potential regulatory implications have temporarily halted the Trans-Atlantic negotiations, for public consultations.
Meanwhile, investment lawyers such as the US-based K&L Gates are already recommending that corporations use the threat of investment arbitration as “a bargaining tool” in debt restructuring negotiations with governments.
The number of investment arbitration cases rocketed from 38 in 1996 to 450 known cases in 2011, according to a past Corporate Europe Observatory report, with average costs similarly spiking to $8 million per dispute.
Leverage against foreign governments
The UK-based firm Clyde & Co also advises using the “potential adverse publicity” of an investment claim as “leverage in the event of a dispute with a foreign government.”
Such suggestions reinforce recent warnings from the European parliament’s environment committee that “there is a real risk of a negative impact of [investor-state] provisions… in an eventual TTIP on the regulatory freedom of the EU or Member States’ space for acting in the public interest, including in the area of the environment.”
The Swedish energy company Vattenfall is currently suing the German government for its decision to phase out nuclear power in a suit expected to amount to €700 million.
On the other side of the environmental debate, in Spain, 22 companies – mainly private equity funds – are suing the government at international tribunals over a decision to cut renewable energy subsidies.
“While the cuts in subsidies have been rightly criticised by environmentalists,” the report says, “only large foreign investors have the ability to sue, and it is egregious that if they win it will be the already suffering Spanish public who will have to pay to enrich private equity funds.
Background
Negotiations between the US and the EU on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) started in July 2013 and are on-going with a new round starting today (10 March).
If successful, the deal would cover more than 40% of global GDP and account for large shares of world trade and foreign direct investment. The EU-US trade relationship is already the biggest in the world, and the EU’s trade directorate claims that it will increase by up to €119 billion in a comprehensive agreement that eliminates trade barriers.
Critics counter that, according to their own papers, the directorate’s claimed savings would come from “the elimination of 25% of Non-Tariff Barrier-related costs”, which they view as code for environmental, health and social protections.
TTIP would be the biggest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated. Brussels and Washington have set an ambitious goal of completing negotiations by the end of 2014, but this deadline seems more and more unrealistic.
Timeline 26 March: EU-US Summit End of 2014: Negotiators hope to agree a TTIP text Further Reading European Union European Commission: Karel de Gucht's 18 February statement European parliament: Environment Committee's report on TTIP European Commission: Approved Negotiating mandate (14 June 2013) European Commission trade directorate report: Reducing Transatlantic barriers to trade and investment Speech by President Barroso: A new era of good feelings European Parliament: TTIP FAQ by Liberal MEP Marietje Schaake Stakeholders Danish newspaper Notat: Leaked EU Issues Paper Communicating on TTIP Full list of contributions submitted to a public consultation round by the European Commission following the HLWG European Commission: Initial TTIP position papers published after the first round of negotiations Association for Ships and Maritime Equipment, SEA Europe FoodDrinkEurope: ‘Europe’s Food Manufacturers welcome EU – USA trade talks. European Chemical Industry Council CEFIC: ‘Kick-off of EU-US Free Trade Agreement at G8 summit’ Medica Technology Industry (AdvaMed, COCIR, Eucomed, EDMA, MITA) IATP (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy): Position Orgalime (European Engineering Industries Association) United States trade associations American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations AFL-CIO National Association of Manufacturers, NAM Business Coalition for Transatlantic Trade (BCTT) Medical Technology Industry (AdvaMed, COCIR, Eucomed, EDMA, MITA) American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) U.S. Food and Agricultural Groups Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation Financial Services Sector Think tanks Centre for European Policy Analysis: Insider view with Ambassador João Vale de Alemida (10 September 2013) Centre for Economic Policy Research: Reducing Transatlantic Barriers on trade and investment, An Economic assessment (March 2013) Press articles EurActiv Slovakia Európa je v investi?ných sporoch za vyše 1,7 mld eur | 8,342 | 3,895 | 0.000268 |
warc | 201704 | I am afraid that there is no accurate answer to your question. There are too many factors that can affect the lifespan of Motorhome engines. So I am going to give you some general answers to your question.
Generally a well-maintained Diesel Engine has a greater lifespan than a well-maintained Gas Engine due to how it is designed. There are people that will say that a Diesel Engine with 90,000 miles is just getting broken in on the other hand a gasoline engine with 90,000 miles might be getting close to needing some major maintenance to get it to continue to operate efficiently.
Well-maintained engines regardless if they are diesel or gas will last longer than a poorly maintained engine.
Based on your question I am going to assume that you are looking at buying a used Motorhome with 90,000 miles on it. If that is the case there are many more important factors to consider before making a purchasing decision above and beyond how many miles are on it.
I urge you to visit the Used RV Inspection Guidelines Section of our website to get information on all of the items you need to look at on a used RV, so that you can make an educated buying decision.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you.
Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.
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warc | 201704 | The art of teaching is one that has been in practice for many centuries. The role that a teacher provides for students is very important to the advancement of general knowledge and higher learning. To be an effective teacher, certain obligations and actions must be taken to pursue this role. . Effective teaching follows many different stages that allow teachers to have a better approach to an everyday classroom situation. Today, the students seem to drift away from any lesson plan unless the lesson has personal appeal to the student. The understanding of each student is extremely important and will effect the instructional design. Each activity should reflect the learner’s goal of each lesson plan brought out to learn. With the specifics of skills, knowledge, and experiences to meet the criteria of the course, each student’s individual skills will reflect if all effort is put forth (Guide). The evaluation of the student will reflect the knowledge and provide feedback on the reaction towards this lesson. If the result average is lower than what would be expected, the level of interest was not met. In order to meet the goal of student interest, get the other faculty involved and create an alliance of instructional material that will better prepare a lesson plan for the interest of the student (Principles and Practices). The individual’s reflections including the interaction of the overall classroom participation results in a successfully created lesson plan by the teacher. Environmental learning has a large role in the effective teaching strageties and the relationship teacher’s have with their students. Each class period is an example of a social event challenging the learner and the actual material being learned. The instructions given to participate in a group activity could result in poor effective teaching or it could also be a good learning technique for those who are visual learners and excel better with others (Strategies). | 2,033 | 976 | 0.001057 |
warc | 201704 | THE EPA wants more test data before deciding whether to increase the allowable level of ethanol in gasoline from 10% to 15% (E15). If tests remain supportive of higher blends, the EPA could approve E15 by the middle of this year.
Last month, the EPA sent a letter to Growth Energy, which had submitted a waiver requesting the allowance of up to 15% ethanol in gasoline last March. The EPA said it will continue to evaluate component durability when E15 is used over many thousands of miles.
More tests required
The Department of Energy (DOE) is testing 19 vehicles to study the long-term emissions impacts of higher ethanol blends on newer motor vehicles, but data were available on just two vehicles in December when the EPA was to announce its decision. The DOE expects that testing will be completed on an additional 12 vehicles by the end of May 2010.
The EPA expects to have a significant amount of data from this study. “If test results remain supportive and provide the necessary basis, we would be in a position to approve E15 for 2001 and newer vehicles in the mid-year time frame,” the EPA stated. If the testing indicates potential problems, however, the EPA may delay its decision until all data are in.
An allowance of E15 would add seven billion new gallons of market potential to the U.S. ethanol industry. “This expanded market opportunity is necessary to draw capital investment for cellulosic ethanol and allows the industry to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard,” says Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), however, is concerned that the postponement of a decision “will chill investment in advanced biofuel technologies at a critical time in their development and commercialization.”
The RFA also expressed concern about what it called EPA's apparent decision to limit the scope of its waiver research to vehicle model year 2001 and newer. “The data to date has shown no ill-effects of increased ethanol use in any vehicle, regardless of model year. The RFA encourages EPA to look at the waiver request with the entire range of vehicles in mind or provide detailed, scientific rationale for excluding older model vehicles,” the RFA stated.
Effect on small engines
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) wants the EPA to address the effect of E15 on lawn mowers, chain saws, snow throwers and numerous other consumer products. Kris Kiser, executive vice president, OPEI, says that while OPEI is not anti-ethanol, it is concerned about possible corrosion of fuel tanks that could lead to dangerous fuel leaks. He adds that when engines burn hotter as they do with ethanol fuel, there also can be unintentional clutch engagement, which would present serious safety issues.
DOE testing of mid-level ethanol blends on outdoor power equipment engines has shown performance irregularities and failure on tested product, Kiser says. The outdoor power equipment industry would like to build new machines that are capable of handling higher ethanol blends, but this does not address what to do with legacy products or further increasing ethanol blends, he says.
The EPA has said that it will take steps to address fuel pump labeling to ensure consumers use the proper gasoline for their vehicles and other products, such as outdoor power equipment. Currently, outdoor power equipment is not designed, built or warranted for mid-level blends.
“When you recognize how many vehicles are currently on the road today, and the various types of outdoor equipment used daily by average Americans, it's clear that a rush to judgment would only fail consumers,” says Bill Holbrook, communications director, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA).
The NPRA said a partial waiver would “cause significant disruption in the nation's wholesale and retail gasoline distribution infrastructure, widespread consumer confusion and potential misfueling, and potential liability for engine and fuel manufacturers for any damage caused to gasoline-powered engines not compatible with mid-level ethanol blends.”
The EPA is coordinating a working group to address labeling requirements to use if the E15 waiver is approved. | 4,244 | 2,026 | 0.000503 |
warc | 201704 | On March 1, Shenzhen and Zhuhai (Guangdong Province) became the first mainland Chinese cities to implement new business-registration rules designed to significantly reduce the bureaucratic hurdles involved in applying for and renewing operating licenses.
Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC) branches in both cities announced they have waived commercial registration fees. Also, applicants for licenses in these cities no longer need to submit registered capital and paid-in capital information for their business. Previously, AIC officials would perform a mandatory audit of this information before granting a license. Shenzhen Market Supervision Administration deputy director Wang Shujie told the media, “Our audit staff has changed the previous multi-level review of the program. [Under the new system,] after the materials are submitted at the registration window, our staff will audit the information, and will issue the license if all things are proper.” According to 21st Century Business Herald, applicants often bribe AIC auditors to produce fake reports. In other cases, the Herald said, companies have inflated their coffers with borrowed cash to fool auditors. Last year, several media reports claimed some local AIC branches had begun restricting access to financial information within corporate reports.
Sources: Caixin Net (财新网), 21st Century Business Herald (21世纪经济报道)
________________
A version of this post appeared in the China Compliance Digest. For a limited time, subscribers to China Compliance Digest will receive the China Anti-Corruption Handbook (normally $750) and FCPA Blog membership (normally $495) at no extra charge. Details are here. | 1,739 | 967 | 0.001072 |
warc | 201704 | A Science of Harmony and Gentle Action(c)(c)
F. David Peat
A text only version of this essay is available to download.
Introduction
During this conference, held at Temple University, Philadelphia May 4-6, 1989, we were asked to entertain the possibility that science should move into a new area, specifically into the study of consciousness and its relationship with matter. We were asked to consider a variety of questions: Does consciousness have an effect at the quantum level? Does it, for example, act to "collapse the wave function"? We were asked if the mind possesses extra-sensory powers, if it can gather information in ways that preclude normal interactions. We were asked if mind can influence matter by, for example, catalyzing material and energetic transformations. Some participants believe that science must inevitably move into the study of consciousness. Others agree that theoretical speculations about the ultimate nature of sub-atomic world make it necessary to take into account the effects of consciousness.
The writings of the founders of twentieth century physics attest to a serious interest in deeper questions that took them far beyond the confines of conventional physics. Wolfgang Pauli maintained a life long interest in the work of Carl Jung and introduced Heisenberg and others to Jungian ideas. Planck, Schrodinger, Eddington, and Jeans were concerned with questions of consciousness, unity, and the ultimate nature of reality. Going back to the time of Kepler it is clear that scientists were fully aware of the sacred nature of their task and did not regard the contemplation of the universe as a neutral activity.
"And I do also beseech my Reader.....he would praise and admire the Wisdome and Greatnesse of the Creator, which I discover to him by a more narrow explication of the World's Form, the Disquisition of Causes, and the Detection of the Errours of Sight." Kepler writes in his "Introduction to Mars".
An exclusively materialistic attitude which denies the importance of spirt would be entirely foreign to many of the great historical figures in science. The very motivation to understand and celebrate the universe, the underlying energy to question, the aesthetic force of the deepest mathematics and the most imaginative theories attest to this hidden, transcendental nature of science. A full understanding of the universe must surely include the astonishing fact of its celebration and contemplation by consciousness and of our own existence.
A Call for a New Science
A new surge in science is vitally needed today and one that will go into a variety of outstanding questions about the interrelationship between mind and matter, the possible role of information in structuring nature, and the general need for a deeper understanding of the universe. These questions are far reaching. Indeed I would suggest that they go far beyond what I would call the surface phenomena of the mind-matter relationship and point to a fundamental investigation of the whole nature of reality and our position within the universe. But at this point I must confess a prejudice. I am not particularly interested in what I would call the "surface phenomena" of consciousness research such as ESP, telekinesis, precognition and the like. If such effects do exist and can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the scientific community they may indeed be of considerable interest in themselves. But I would contend that they are no more than the exterior manifestations of something far deeper. Indeed the meditative traditions of east and west suggest that so-called paranormal powers are not of deep significance in themselves but are simply steps on a more important path. There is, however, the danger that a practitioner will become caught up in, or attempt to exploit, such "powers". Strict warnings against mystical dilettantism have always been issued.
I would therefore like to raise the question of the spirit and perspective in which this new science is undertaken. It is vitally important that we should begin in the right way. Is consciousness, for example, to become an object for science, and mind placed under the microscope? The science of the past two hundreds years placed objectivity in the highest position. The orthodox scientist claims to stand outside the subject of study and to eliminate any taint of human value from his or her study. Science, it is believed, should be objective and value free. There is little room for love and compassion when it comes to a study of the material world. But there is always the danger that such an attitude distorts our thought and perception, particularly when our own consciousness is taken as an object of study.
Objectivity has the effect of distancing, it implies a division between the observer and what is observed, a separation in time and space. It is this division which is of concern in the present enterprise. The science of the past two hundred years has brought with it a degree of fragmentation in the way the world is perceived. Our own century has experienced a profound loss in our sense of meaning at being in the world. Objectivity brings with it an infinite loneliness, a loneliness of separation from the rest of the universe.
Objectivity stresses the significance of the individual and our control and dominance over nature. By contrast a new surge in science involving the study of consciousness and matter should acknowledge the existential fact of our being in the universe and should accommodate a sense of wholeness, celebration, joy and wonder at nature, it should act to heal our division from nature and from our own bodies.
A new science may draw for its insights on other disciplines such as art, literature, music, religion and native sciences. But clearly to be given the name of science it must combine a passion for truth and rigor, it must question unceasingly, its ultimate goal must be understanding in the widest sense.
Our present fragmented approach to the world cannot continue, the stakes have become too high. Neither can our uncritical acceptance of scientific objectivity and the virtue of unrestricted scientific and technological progress continue. Societies and technologies are running into problems that appear to lie beyond their abilities to resolve. If science is to consider the human dimension then it must do so in the right spirit. Indeed it is premature at this juncture to talk of new experiments or novel theoretical explanations without, at the same time, investigating the metaphysics that underlies the whole enterprise.
Interaction or Harmony
For this reason I would like to question an assumption that seems to underlie some of the work I have seen on consciousness and its interrelationship to matter. A number of papers and discussions are based on the suggestion that the interrelationships between mind and matter involve some sort of influence or interaction. Mind, for example, is said to move an object or cause a change in matter. A mental act is supposed to influence the output of a random number generator. Mind is said to be a transmitter or a receiver of information at a distance. Mind, it is hypothesized, emits influences and the will or self causes changes in the world. Some physicists even believe that consciousness can bring about the "collapse the wave function". In short, consciousness and matter, mind and body are conceived of as separate entities that are connected in some way by a new and subtle interaction, the one exerting causal influences on the other.
While it is not inconceivable that an undiscovered interaction may exist between mind and matter I would suggest that the deeper understanding of the whole question points in an entirely different direction. Indeed, the very concepts of interaction, influence, force, cause, signal and transmission have been imported wholesale and uncritically from a paradigm that is based on a more restricted view of the material world. It is clearly inappropriate to the present study.
The notion of a signal that propagates from one body to another, or of an interaction influencing an event is predicated upon the idea of seperability and locality. It assumes that individual systems are well defined and spatially isolated one from the other so that a signal can pass between them. Process and change are the direct result of such causal interactions. But this view is entirely incompatible with, for example, the insights of quantum theory that speak of an undivided wholeness between all parts of an experiment. Influences and interactions, on the other hand, imply division in which a force acts between two isolated and well defined objects. Change and process, according to this latter view, is essentially mechanical in nature.
By "mechanical" I mean any approach that is based upon the notion of a reality that can be defined locally and in which causes operate though the mediation of forces and fields such that the larger the amplitude of the field the greater is the effect of this force. Scientists may, of course, chose to postulate new and exotic forces yet, none the less, they would generally conform to this mechanistic description. An exception to this critique is the quantum potential introduced by David Bohm, (Bohm and Hiley 1987) this does not operate in a mechanical fashion since its effects do not fall off with distance or with the intensity of the potential. A system governed by Bohm's quantum potential is more organic than mechanical. It is essentially holistic in nature and can only be analyzed into relatively independent parts under limiting conditions.
The example of quantum theory, and of Bohm's quantum potential, suggests that alternative ways exist to discuss process and change that do not rely upon the ideas of separation and interaction. Bohm has also argued that a major area of incompatibility between relativity and quantum theory arises through the privileged position given to the concept of a signal in the former theory (Bohm 1971). This is entirely incompatible with the quantum theory. The idea of a signal assumes that systems are localizable in space and time and can be connected by means of some interaction that propagates between them. But this idea is entirely at odds with that of the quantum theory which stresses the essential wholeness of things. The indivisibility of the quantum of action means that it is impossible to analyze and separate a quantum system from the apparatus that observes it. Together they form and irreducible whole.
By contrast causality, of its very nature, implies division. It suggests a separation in time and space that can only be bridged by force. The causal paradigm elevates the importance of the individual in nature, its implications are control and dominance with the overvaluation of ego and will. Cause and influence become a one way traffic from the mover to the moved. They are predicated on a world that is fragmented and separated and on individuals who are isolated in their brains and bodies. Such a world view is totally at odds with the new spirit implied by a study of consciousness and matter.
The question, therefore, is one of discovering a new language and new metaphors in which to discuss the universe and our relationship to it. This is, in fact, not new to science. At the time of Newton scholars were still dealing in "sympathies" and "correspondences" and with the idea of balance or harmony in the whole of nature. The ancient maxim "as above so below" expresses the essential harmony that extends throughout the universe so that an individual body becomes a microcosm in which the greater whole is reflected. A variety of symbolic systems were devised to express this harmony.
Today such views would generally be dismissed as unscientific although C.G. Jung has pointed to the remarkable insights and metaphors between psychology and alchemy. Both the medieval alchemists and the sages of ancient China expressed, in symbolic terms, the processes of sublimation, transformation and refinement of matter that mirrored the internal transformation of the self. Jung, working in consultation with Wolfgang Pauli, also developed the idea of "synchronicity", his "acausal connecting principle" which attempts to deal with the origin of meaningful patterns in nature. (Jung 1973)
Jung's ideas were taken seriously not only by Pauli himself but by a number of the physicist's colleagues. It is unfortunate, therefore, that the current, popular, view of synchronicity focuses on bizarre co-incidences while ignoring its deeper significance. Synchronicity addresses directly the question of meaning in the universe, the flexible boundary between inner and outer, and the subjective and objective. It deals in those numinious patterns that appear simultaneously within the worlds of matter and mind without the need for positing direct causal relationships between them. It suggests the existence of physical and mental correlations that have no direct causal basis.(Peat 1987)
Such a concept would not have appeared alien to the thinkers of the middle ages who dealt in sympathies and correspondences, or indeed to the many other cultures and civilizations whose daily lives were and are predicated on a strong belief in the harmony of nature. Synchronicity suggests that an understanding of harmony be given a place within the scientific world view.
The sinologist Richard Wilhelm has told the story of a Chinese rain maker who was asked how he had cause the rain to fall in a certain village. The rain maker replied that he did not
make rain. Rather, the drought-ridden village had been in a state of disharmony which had affected the rain maker when he arrived. The wise man therefore retired to the hut provided for him and brought himself to order. Since the rain maker was not separate from the society and environment around him, a general harmony was restored and the rain fell as it is its nature so to do. (see Peat 1987)
Recently I witnessed a similar event, a ceremony at a medicine wheel attended by native representatives from all over North America. At the start of the ceremony a Mayan indian was involved in parting the clouds so as to leave a patch of clear sky above. Sure enough as he rotated his stick in the air the clouds moved, not all in one direction, but to the east, west, north and south.
At the time I wondered, how could this individual possibly be moving the clouds? The idea seemed nonsense. Or did the connection work in the other direction so that the moving clouds were rotating the Mayan's stick? But then I seemed to me that clouds, stick and Mayan were caught up in a greater dance, one that involved all of us who were present. In this dance there was no actor and no thing acted upon, rather it was a harmonious flowing that passed unimpeded through cloud, wind, rock, mind and body. The ceremony at the medicine wheel had not been created by my native hosts alone but was a dance in which we had all been enjoined.
Can these ways of thinking about pattern, connection, process and change be incorporated into a scientific paradigm that would be more appropriate for a discussion of consciousness and matter? I believe that this is not only possible but desirable.
Non-local Connections
At this point I would like to refer to the significance of Bell's Theorem. (Bell 1987) John Bell's remarkable result indicates that non-local correlations exist within quantum systems that cannot be explained on a mechanistic, causal basis. The Bell experiment, that has been carried out by Alain Aspect in Paris as well as by other groups, involves a pair of photons, or electrons whose combined state is correlated and which are then allowed to separate to a macroscopic distance. Careful experiments show that a remarkable degree of correlation is maintained between the two particles even when no interaction, signal or force passes between them.
Of course there is nothing unusual in objects remaining correlated even when they are far apart. Two synchronized clocks will continue to read the same time when they are at opposite ends of the continent. But the Bell correlations are not of this nature, they exceed anything that can be explained on the basis of a "local reality" or a "classical theory" of physics involving mechanical fields, interactions or signals. Suppose, for example, that photons and electrons possessed individual properties and could be well defined each in their own regions. They would each carry "cards of identity" as it where. Changes of state would then be produced by interactions, forces, signals or other causes. But Bell's result clearly demonstrates that such "local systems" could never display the degree of correlation that is exhibited experimentally and appears to be unique to the sub-atomic world.
Bell's result shows that quantum systems are correlated in ways that lie outside any appeal to mechanical connection or to a locally defined reality. They have therefore been called non-local correlations which implies that entirely new categories are required for thinking about space and time in the quantum context. This is not to say that some new mechanical interaction operates outside the confines of space and time, but rather that the ideas of connection and correlation must be thought about in new ways. In this context Jung's notion of an acausal connection does not seem entirely inappropriate. Or to put it another way, an acausal connection may manifest itself in the form of non-local correlations that appear to lie outside the normal confines of space and time.
Bell's theorem has been used by a number of writers to explain supposed mental effects and interactions by proposing that such mental interactions are in some way "non-local" and can make instantaneous or faster-than-light connections. But this is to misinterpret the meaning of Bell's result which denies that any force or interaction whatsoever passes between the two particles. (Again an exception may be made in the case of Bohm's unusual and holistic quantum potential).
While Bell's theorem specifically deals with quantum events occurring at the sub-atomic level it does provide a powerful metaphor since the idea of non-locality goes beyond Bell's particular result and suggests that patterns and processes within nature can be looked at in new ways. Thinking in terms of non-local correlations and acausal connections implies a more connected and holistic way of viewing the universe and one in which explanations based on the ideas of influence and interaction become less inevitable. Indeed it is my belief that non-locality, with its inherent connectedness, may be a more natural way of thinking about the universe.
This idea may well harmonize with the native American view of things. Indians talk to trees, some of them talk to rocks. In the forest they experience "skanagoah" or the "great presence", an electrifying awareness of unity and balance. To suggest that some energy, influence or signal passes between tree and Indian would be to miss the essence of the experience. It is best expressed therefore as a sort of active, dynamical harmony. P. Colorado, a modern academic suggest that no direct passage of energy of force is involved. Her great grandfather expressed this harmony with animals and plants in the following way:
"We have to understand the nature. That is why we have to talk to them. We don't pray to them, we talk to them because they breath the same air we do. We are put here with them. We are also a part of the plant life. We are always growing, we have to have strong roots." (Colorado 1988)
When there is no inherent separation between a person and a tree there is no need to propose a connection between them.
New Ways of Thinking
New ways of thinking along similar lines are coming from many areas. Medicine, for example, has in the past been firmly based on causative models in which a disease is caused by an invading organism and cured by the action of d drug. Today, however, increasing understanding of the immune system has led some doctors to become interested in the question of the meaning of a person's life and its role in the movement towards health. In such a view causative chains play a secondary role within a larger system that extends from the body-mind to the family and society at large as an organic whole.
Some linguists are also rejecting what they feel to be a mechanical view of their subject, including the "transport theory of language" in which words are used to transport a "cargo" of meaning between individuals. Rather than language being seen in terms of an interaction or signal between an active speaker and a passive listener the emphasis is placed upon how meaning unfolds out of the whole activity of discourse and upon the creativity involved in the building of "mental spaces" by both parties. (Ford and Peat 1988) Meaning in this sense does not lie exclusively in individual words but is non-local, belonging to the whole language, the conversation, its context, the memories and attitudes of the speakers and indeed to the whole society.
There are also indications of new metaphors from the physical sciences. The mathematician Roger Penrose, for example, has been exploring the structure of what could be called non-local spaces. The building blocks of these spaces, called twistors, are non-local in nature. Points and local regions are then built up as secondary objects generated by congruences of the more basic non-local twistors. In Penrose's approach space-time and the elementary particles are to be generated together out of a common non-local starting point. Only in the limit can localized bodies and the interactions between them recovered. (Penrose and Rindler 1986)
Non-linear systems, with their regions of stability and instability, limit cycles and chaos, bifurcation points and fractal behavior, are providing a rich new source of metaphors for what could be termed a non-mechanical view of nature. Non-linear systems are not generally separable yet, under certain conditions they can throw out quasi independent entities--like vortices in a river--that are nonetheless dependent upon an underlying dynamics. What appear at one level to be independent objects interacting together will, on deeper examination, turn out to be a manifestation of the one underlying non-linear dynamics. Non-linear systems can be so extraordinarily sensitive to the slightest influence so that a vanishingly small change in one part of the system can produce an overwhelming change in another. Such systems must be treated as a whole and do not always lend themselves to fragmentation and discussion in terms of interactions.
Gentle Action(c)
The new approach I am proposing is based upon a belief in the harmony of nature that extends from the subtle to the manifest, from the material to the mental. It is to be discussed in terms of correlations that are non-local and connections that are acausal--although the more conventional explanations in terms of interactions and influences would also play a role. Harmony has been advocated as a fundamental activity in nature by everyone from Lao-tsu to native people all over the world. The Native American, for example, believes in a basic harmony amongst stones, plants, animals and that they are placed on earth to aid in maintaining this harmony.
Such a belief carries with it an awesome responsibility. It demands an extraordinary quality of mind and a perception that is based on love and respect for all things. The essence of such a life does not lie in the desire for constant action, in instigating change to correct some perceived mistake, in the search for solutions to problems but upon a gentle and constant movement towards harmony. (Peat 1988) Such a movement may be as much internal as external. It could be compared to the delicate tuning of an automobile which results in the release of great power, or in the very fine adjustment of a television set which allows the signal to pass through the circuit unimpeded.
A further metaphor is of a highly complex system in which its individual phases are subject to fine adjustments. By making a series of small adjustments globally across the system it becomes possible to lock these phases together so that the whole system becomes involved co-operatively in some new activity. Such a system may be quite resistant to any local, forceful intervention, however tiny changes that are made in a co-operative or non-local way can result in entirely new behavior. Take, for example, the edge of a pond in which a series of ripples are constantly forming and dying away. If the phases of these very small disturbances could be coordinated exactly all around the edge of the pond then they would interfere constructively and propagate towards the center of the pond where they would create a large splash. By operating in a sensitive yet gentle way it becomes possible to facilitate a system to produce large effects. The emphasis, however, would be on the understanding and maintenance of balance.
Similar effects may also operate within the human body and brain. For example, vanishingly small but non-locally co-ordinated effects operating within a neural network could produce interesting effects. One could envision that memories are stored, non-locally, in this way. That ripples of activity interfere constructively, spreading inward to some center of activity within the brain, spread out again and are then focussed into some new region.
The hypothesis advanced here is that such gentle, non-local processes are operating very generally within nature. Certain individuals may be able to bring themselves into harmony with such natural flows and participate in them. But clearly the emphasis would not be on intention or acts of will but upon openness, freedom from emotional and conceptual blocks and a sense of deep respect for the natural world.
The word "love" comes to mind. It has, I understand, been used by Dr. Mae-Wan Ho in the context of biology. I would suggest that a love of nature is exactly what is demanded in this new field of research. Love is a dissolution of boundaries, an acceptance, a harmonious merging and, at the same time, a deep sense of energy. Love does not seek to control or dominate but respects the integrety of the other. Love cannot be tapped on demand, it comes of its own accord and floods the organism with a feeling of wellbeing and sensitivity.
Conclusion
A new spirit is required for a new science; one that does not seek to dominate or control, that does not impose its views on nature but is tempered by respect, the desire for harmony, and compassion for all things. Such an activity must retain the scientific passion for truth and understanding while, at the same time seeking to celebrate nature and restore the harmony of the planet, society and each individual.
A science that proposes to investigate harmony and maintain balance must clearly be sensitive to its own methods, values and ethics--particularly when the scientist becomes his oe her own object of study. Discovering the basis and methodology of this new science will prove extraordinarily difficult and requires a profound shift in thinking. Current science is based upon the notion of reproducibility and statistical analysis, and upon analysis in terms of cause and effect. Little value is given to an individual event--the Big Bang excepted. How then is science to deal with the personal experience and the value of a numinious event? How will it be possible to combine rigor and subjectivity? These are profoundly difficult issues.
On the other hand art, poetry and literature are concerned with truth and the balance between objectivity and subjectivity. Aesthetics and internal value may play a vital role, yet great art still possesses rigor and honesty. Both art and literature are concerned with the possibility of a multiplicity of interpretations yet who could have been more rigorous in his investigation of subjective reality and the nature of memory and time than Marcel Proust? Will it therefore be possible to draw upon the discipline and values of the arts when moving into a study of the human position in the universe?
In conclusion, therefore, a new science is proposed in which harmony and balance play a leading role and in which ethics and compassion are placed side by side with truth and understanding. A variety of approaches have been suggested in this article such as realizing the limitation of the notions of interaction, signal and local reality in favour of "acausal connections" and non-local correlations. A balance between objectivity and subjectivity has been proposed and it has also been suggested that the ethics, compassion and methodology of the investigator are of vitally important. Human values can no longer be eliminated from an investigation of consciousness and our own role in nature.
References
J.S. Bell (1987).
Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics. Cambridge University Press.
D. Bohm (1971), Quantum Theory as an Indication of a New Order in Physics, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Proceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi" ed B. d'Espagnat. Academic Press, New York.
D. Bohm and B. Hiley (1987), The Ontological Significance of the Quantum Potential Model, Phys Reports. 144, 321.
P. Colorado (1988). Bridging Native and Western Science. Convergence XXI (2/3), 49.
Alan Ford and F. David Peat (1988) The Role of Language in Science. Foundations of Physics. 18(12), 1233.
C. G. Jung (1973), Synchronicity, trans R.F.C. Hull. Bollingen Series (Princteon University Press).
F. D. Peat (1987). Synchronicity: The Bridge between Matter and Mind. Bantam Books, New York
F.D.Peat (1988). Peat on Chaos and a Creative Suspension of Action. Creativity Research Journal 1, 131.
R. Penrose and W. Rindler (1986). Spinors and Space-Time, Volume 2. Cambridge University Press. See also L.P. Hughston and R.S. Ward. Advances in Twistor Theory. Pitman, London, 1979. A more popular account of twistor theory is given in chapters 7-10 of F.D.Peat. Superstrings and the Search for a Theory of Everything. Contemporary Books, Chicago, New York, 1988.
Related Pages:
Gentle Action(c) | Carl Jung | Language & Linguistics | Science | Spirit
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warc | 201704 | You must have come across numerous individuals that make their minds up to shift their entire homes from one destination to another. There can be a plethora of reasons behind the same. Even though it may sound clichéd to you but it’s the never-ending fact that household shifting is an activity that cannot be performed without help. If you want to get your valuable goods packed, it is strongly recommended that you hire the services of a skilled and qualified packer mover that can provide you secure and timely household shifting services. It is mandatory that you possess the necessary experience to execute the task of packing the goods and then moving them in a safe condition.
If you have neither the skills nor the experience, it would be wise if you get in touch with a professional mover and packer that can take the entire accountability of packing your goods and moving them without any damages.
How the professional moving and packing services prove beneficial for you?
There are so many moving companies that provide reliable home shifting services but you need to conduct an online research so that you come into contact with an experienced mover packer for its excellent services. It would assess every detail of your relocation need and comes up with the most favourable solution. It would provide you those services that are safe, well-timed and reasonably priced.
Your home relocation experience would certainly be a pleasurable one with a professional mover and packer. Guaranteed! | 1,517 | 758 | 0.001333 |
warc | 201704 | Race day is upon us. The last few months have been a potpourri of long runs, short runs, fast runs, slow runs. You've hit the roads, the trails, the track, and the treadmill. All culminating in the 13.1 miles that lay before you. Training was mapped out and easy, what to do now that the race day is here? Here's a quick guide to help you focus some of that taper energy/anxiety into being prepared.
1. Get Moving | Most of us don't have issues with oversleeping on race day. That being said, we want to make sure we get up and get moving early. Set a couple different alarms and have them set so that you are up and at 'em early. We want to be able to eat breakfast comfortably without feeling like we're throwing it down our gullet as we sprint out the door. We also want to get mother nature rolling so that we can hopefully utilize our own private commode and cut down on the number of prerace porta potty pit stops that will inevitably occur. 2. Arrive Early | Noticing a theme here? Race day will be stressful enough. We don't need to add "rushed" to the equation. Half marathon races are huge events, therefore, parking typically takes much longer than people prepare for. Plan to arrive a good 45 minutes to an hour before the race starts. That will allow you to find a nice parking spot, hit the porta potty line a couple of times, and still reach your corral comfortably ahead of the starting cannon. 3. Dress to Impress | This does NOT mean break out your fancy new running outfit. It's a race not a fashion show. Dress for the conditions you will be encountering as the race goes along. Throw away sweat shirts are a great find at Goodwill to help keep you warm while standing at the start. Make sure your bib is attached to the layer you expect to be your outer layer as the race goes along. You'll want to dress for weather 20 degrees warmer than you'll be racing in. That means you'll probably be a bit chilled early, but will feel much better as you begin to generate some heat while running. Make sure to also pay attention to the dew point when you're planning your uniform. The higher the dew point, the tougher it will be to cool yourself. Two words that will save you when planning on race attire: moisture wicking. 4. I'll Drink to That | Hydration is huge. Hydrating isn't simply something you do while the race is going on. It needs to be a focus throughout the week leading up to your race. During your race, start getting in fluids before you think you need them. Also make sure to utilize an electrolyte mixture so you replace the salts you're sweating out along with the water. Staying hydrated doesn't mean you'll be floating through the race. Simply get on a consistent program of drinking to thirst throughout the race to better help your body transport fuel to your muscles, carry waste away from your muscles, and cool you. 5. The A-Z of Race Plans | As the great boxer Joe Louis said, "Everyone has a plan until they get hit." Don't kid yourself and expect the race to be all sunshine and rainbows. Be prepared for there to be speed bumps along the way. The thing about speed bumps is that they don't stop us, they merely slow us down for a second. 13 miles is too long for everything to go perfectly. When a hiccup occurs, let it go and adapt. Basically, after Plan A goes astray, you've got 25 more letters to pick from. 6. Nothing New on Race Day | This may be the Golden Rule of racing. Race day is about going with what you know and what got you to the start line. Now is not the time to try new shoes, new clothes, new food, new strategy, new anything. We just discussed how to have back up plans in case our initial race strategy falters. Introducing new things on race day makes the likelihood of issues popping up go exponential. Go with what you know. The only thing I want my athletes having new on race day is a new PR at the end of it. 7. Hooked on a Feeling | This is not just a really catchy tune, but it's a great basis for your first few miles of the race. I've seen too many races sabotaged in early stages because athletes were paying too much attention to their Garmin or the pacers (which are great tools, but they're just that: tools), and not enough to themselves. Listen to your body and how it's feeling. Warm up into the race and let your body tell you when its ready to roll. All the long miles in training tends to cause our body to take awhile before it really feels good and loose. The other side of the coin is true too. As a coach, I don't want my athlete to work hard to go slow. If they're full of vim and vigor, and feel like they're pitter patting along but still quick, I don't want them to be jamming on the brakes with every step to be at a certain pace. It's all about rationing out the energy we have to spend it as efficiently as possible. 8. Rhythm Rhythm Rhythm | After letting your body warm up into the race, it's time to settle into your pace. Running is like music; there's a rhythm to it. The goal is to get into our rhythm to give us the smoothest economy of motion possible. Changes in rhythm, whether it's speed up, slow down, darting or dodging side to side, all cost us greatly when it comes to our gas mileage. Finding your rhythm and smoothing into it will help you save some gas for later on in the race. 9. Even Pace Isn't Even Effort | The most efficient way to achieve a fast time on race day is with an even paced to slightly negative split race. The tough part is that our energy output to achieve that goal is nothing close to even effort. Early in the race, we can be all over the place in terms of how we feel effort wise. Sometimes we feel amazing because we have all this energy from our taper, and the adrenaline of the start has us fueled with rocket fuel. Other times we feel stiff and tight because we haven't yet loosened up into the run. The second quarter of the race, we're usually nice and loose and clipping along at pace on autopilot. The third quarter is where we need to start putting some effort in to stay on pace. This is where we may start to experience a rough patch or two. By the end, we are getting tired and running low on fuel. When we get there, we have to dig down deep and really push it to keep on pace. 10. Find a Friend | Having a friend out there to cheer you on can be a lifesaver. Coordinate with them where you'll need them to cheer for you, or to hop out and run a stretch with you. It can also save a friendship if you have a conversation about what you will need and not need. Some people know they'll need encouragement, a cheerleader to raise their spirits. Others know they simply need white noise. Don't try to cheer me up, coach me along, or tell me, "You're almost there." Sometimes all we need is someone to tell us a long pointless story that takes our mind off of the demons we're battling at the moment. 11. It's All Downhill From Here | As the miles accumulate, we need to find an active role for our mind to play, so we don't get caught up in our own head feeling miserable. I like to tell my athletes to look for places to make time. Look for downhills to help pull us along. If we see an uphill approaching, accept that it will slow us down, so we simply need to find a downhill to help us make that time back up. This helps to give our mind an active role looking for positive things to attack rather than serving up tea at our pity party over all these dang hills. 12. Photo Bomb | Don't you love how the cameramen pop up at the worst points on the course? You get that email with your pics a week or so after the race and wish the watermark were bigger so you didn't have to see how bad you looked. You know the photogs are coming, so use it to your advantage. As you're approaching them, go through a checklist in your head: hands unclenched, arms relaxed, shoulder loose, staying tall, etc. As you get closer, start to smile. It's amazing how much simply smiling can improve our mood. Try out your best Runner's World cover form as you pass through the paparazzi. What you'll often find is that after running the gauntlet you're looser, more relaxed, and rolling along much smoother than before. It also helps for some much better pics to show off to friends and family later. 13. Have Fun | Not to be redundant, but just like the 26 tips, I've got to end with... enjoy it all. Running a half marathon is an adventure. Enjoy the experience, because you didn't spend all these months of training to just "get through this." You trained your butt off for the experience.
Congratulations to everyone who showed the courage to race a half or full marathon over these next few weeks. As Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Enjoy your race.
Tim Cary is Head Track & Field and Cross Country for Lindenwood University at Belleville and the former Fleet Feet Assistant Training Manager. Over his more than two decades of coaching, Tim has coached athletes to three national team championships, five national individual championships, two national records, and numerous All-American and All-State honors. Click here to receive Tim's weekly article via email. | 9,201 | 4,333 | 0.000231 |
warc | 201704 | General Question Is there a rough calculation for number of calories required to maintain a certain weight?
I know that people vary in metabolism and amount of exercise, so any calculation would have to be only an approximation. The formula I came across is that it takes 12 times body weight in calories to maintain that weight. This seems a bit high.
Such a calculation could be used for dieting. Suppose a person is very overweight. That would mean that the person could start off taking in a fairly large number of calories and still manage to lose weight. As the person loses weight, the calorie intake would have to decrease. This seems to make more sense than for such a person to start right away with a 1500 calorie diet.
12 Answers
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic. | 828 | 469 | 0.002148 |
warc | 201704 | The US Department of Agriculture says it is seeking to patent a biocontrol yeast that fights the apple nemesis 'blue mould', a fungus which leaves a telltale sign of soft, watery, light-brown rot.
Caused by the fungus
Penicillium expansum, this mould is the most significant source of postharvest decay of stored apples in the United States, according to the ARS.
The patent application is based on work by Agricultural Research Service plant pathologist Wojciech Janisiewicz at the ARS Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement and Protection Laboratory at Kearneysville, West Virginia. He isolated a yeast, called
Metschnikowia pulcherrima, that occurs naturally on the fruits, buds and floral parts of certain apple trees. M. pulcherrima is one of several yeast species that serve as a biological control against post-harvest decay of pome fruits - apples and pears. These 'friendly' yeasts work by consuming the nutrients on fruit and vegetable skins that allow rot-causing fungi to thrive.
Janisiewicz claims to have shown that
M. pulcherrima is highly effective at consuming nutrients that otherwise would support blue mould growth on apples. Moreover, Janisiewicz noted that the yeast is effective at cold-storage temperatures, an important feature to produce-warehouse operators.
Fungicides have until now been a major treatment for fruits and vegetables to prevent postharvest diseases, but as producers try to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals yeasts have emerged as an effective alternative, says the ARS.
The Kearneysville laboratory is now looking for a company with which to licence or partner to mass-produce
M. pulcherrima for commercial use.
For further information, see the ARS website . | 1,721 | 919 | 0.001096 |
warc | 201704 | Retailers are spending millions of advertising dollars hoping to entice shoppers into their stores during this year's shortened holiday season. But between
Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) and Radio Shack (NYSE:RSHCQ), one consumer electronics retailer shorted out on Black Friday weekend. Which one was it? Dollars not well spent An analysis recently released by Placed and Kantar Media unveiled which retailers had the best Black Friday weekend based on one key metric, "cost per visitor share." This metric gives insight as to how well television ads helped drive in-store customer traffic. The study focused on three categories, including department stores and mass merchandisers, home improvement stores, and consumer electronic stores. Last week, I examined the results from the department stores and mass merchandisers category and home improvement stores . Today, we'll take a look at consumer electronics stores. The broader picture One metric an investor can look at to gain insight into how much money a company spends on ads is its selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) costs as a percent of revenue. A company's SG&A costs include much more than advertising, but we can use SG&A as a percent of revenue as a broad metric to see how much of a company's revenue is spent on things like advertising. Check out how the two consumer electronics retailers fare:
Best Buy
$51 billion
20.2%
Radio Shack
$4 billion
35.9%
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Taking a look at these figures coupled with the cost-per-visitor-share metric, we can see that while Best Buy spends less of its revenue on things like advertising, each dollar it spent on TV ads translated into more share on Black Friday weekend. By comparison, Radio Shack spends a
much greater percentage of its revenue on SG&A expenses. The Shack also received much less share on Black Friday weekend. In broader terms, Best Buy appears to spend money much more efficiently than Radio Shack. Fool contributor Nicole Seghetti has no position in any stocks mentioned. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleSeghetti. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | 2,365 | 1,140 | 0.000882 |
warc | 201704 | Full profile →'">
The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
Whether you're rich or poor, famous or obscure, if you have a will, chances are it says something to the effect of, "pay my debts before you pay my heirs." Your executor or personal representative -- the person or institution you have named to carry out your wishes -- must follow those instructions in accordance with state and federal law.
In my post, “Heirs Left With Unpaid Bills May Inherit More Grief Than Gold,” I describe how some family members get stuck with gigantic tax bills and lingering legal battles that can eat away at an inheritance. For more garden-variety obligations, it may be much easier negotiating to pay less than what’s owed. Though banks don’t want to publicize this fact, lawyers say clients have had considerable success reducing credit card debts after a family member passes away.
“One way to reduce your credit card debt is to die,” says Marc S. Bekerman, a lawyer with his own practice in Woodbury, NY. Credit card companies “will take settlements from the estates that they wouldn’t take from a living person.” He's sometimes been able to shave off one-third to one-half of a credit card tab by promising to pay immediately. Unlike with a living person, when someone has died, there’s no longer the risk that not paying the credit card bill will hurt his or her credit rating, he notes. So card companies have less bargaining power and may therefore be more amenable to compromise.
In addition, an offer by the estate to pay two thirds – or even half – of the balance immediately avoids the need for card companies to deal with collection agencies. The collectors get paid a commission, of up to 50%, based on the age of the debt and difficulty of finding contact information (which often becomes more challenging after someone dies).
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, false or misleading tactics to collect a debt, applies to heirs, as well as consumers. But collectors push the limits of what the law allows, Bekerman says, suggesting to heirs that they have a moral obligation to pay up. “’Your mom had a $10,000 credit card bill. Don’t you think the card company is entitled to be paid?’” they might say.
Legally, if mom didn’t have sufficient assets to pay these bills, her heirs are not generally obliged to make up the shortfall. If you’re an executor or personal representative, though, there’s a risk in the form of fiduciary liability: the prospect of being held financially responsible for distributing assets to heirs before paying certain creditors.
Executors must follow state or federal guidelines about the order in which to pay creditors. State law offers some protection with what’s called a creditor period – a certain length of time (ranging from two months after the start of probate to five years from the date of death) after which the executor can pay beneficiaries without worrying about creditors’ claims, explains Harvard Law professor Robert H. Sitkoff. What effort, if any, they must make to notify creditors, depends on the state. But if you pay heirs before the end of the creditor period -- maybe your relatives are clamoring for their cash -- and a new bill emerges, you could be on the hook for what you paid other heirs.
Executors who are also beneficiaries have a built-in conflict, since money paid to creditors reduces their inheritance, Bekerman notes. To avoid problems down the line and make sure they are on the firmest legal footing, they should always “wear the white hat,” he says.
For starters, locate all the credit cards and cancel them as soon as possible to prevent new, unauthorized charges. Check the person’s wallet, desk and dresser drawers for both cards and recent receipts. To make sure you haven’t overlooked any cards, contact the three major credit reporting bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian), which allow the executor to get a free copy of the credit report. Other basic steps, to locate these bills and others, include getting mail forwarded or, for people who have gone paperless, getting access to their e-mail accounts.
If for some reason the bills fall through the cracks, you might soon hear from the card company – or, more likely, the bill collector. That’s your cue to negotiate, though the banks for obvious reasons, would rather this not get around. “We don’t want to encourage people or their family members to run up a credit card bill thinking that it dies with them,” says Nessa Feddis, senior vice president, consumer protection and payments, at the American Bankers Association, a trade group. “That could be in moral hazard,” especially if it involves a caregiver who feels entitled to extra compensation for dealing with a difficult elderly or infirm person.
Tempting as it is to stiff the card companies, sometimes conscience -- and potential repercussions -- intervene. A widow who discovered that her late husband had left behind a $30,000 American Express bill, initially asked Bekerman to negotiate it down, even though she had plenty of money to pay up. Then, afraid it would affect her own relationship with the card company, she had a change of heart.
Deborah L. Jacobs , a lawyer and journalist, is the author of Estate Planning Smarts: A Practical, User-Friendly, Action-Oriented Guide, now available in the third edition. {{article.article.page + 1}}/ {{article.article.pages.length}}Continue | 5,689 | 2,765 | 0.000374 |
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The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
In September 2010 the National Breast Cancer Coalition announced that it was setting a deadline to “end breast cancer” by January 1, 2020. The organization’s Web site shows a digital clock ticking off the seconds, minutes, days, and years left till the deadline.
The NBCC, located in Washington, D.C., is a breast cancer advocacy organization that has been highly effective over the past two decades in fund-raising for research on breast cancer and promoting education and access to care.
As explained on the organization’s Web site, the main goals of new initiative are “stopping women from getting breast cancer, and understanding and preventing metastasis (the spread of cancer), which is responsible for 90% of breast cancer deaths.” To achieve these goals, NBCC is promoting research to develop a vaccine to prevent breast cancer and ways to stop metastasis.
In 2012 President Bill Clinton, whose mother died of breast cancer while he was in office, endorsed NBCC’s initiative and became its honorary chairman.
How are we to understand this ambitious effort to galvanize progress into breast cancer prevention by an organization that up to now has been characterized by level-headedness and realism?
We know what it means to eradicate smallpox – this was accomplished in 1980 after a global eradication campaign, and the eradication of polio is within sight. We know how to eliminate the vast majority of deaths from lung cancer. We have the ability to eliminate most cases of cervical cancer and primary liver cancer worldwide. But what does it mean to “end breast cancer”?
Last November, an editorial in the journal
Nature called the deadline “misguided” and recalled that there have been many earlier promises to defeat cancer. Making unrealistic promises, the editorial pointed out, merely leads to disappointment and undermines public trust in the scientific enterprise. As the journal put it, “hope is not a strategy,” and “discovery does not answer to deadlines.”
Clearly, the NBCC initiative reflects dissatisfaction with the status quo that has grown up around breast cancer, including screening, education, treatment, and advocacy, and the slow pace of progress in the area of primary prevention (i.e., enabling women to avoid getting the disease in the first place). As an article in the current
New York Times magazine section argues very forcefully, much of the culture surrounding breast cancer has involved overselling the benefits of screening, early detection, and a universal cure, and ignoring the huge problem of over-treatment.
Thus, it is understandable that the NBCC wants to promote a sense of urgency and resolve to make progress. There is nothing wrong with promoting a sense of urgency. However, this bold initiative does seem to entail a loss of perspective.
Some epidemiologists specializing in breast cancer have argued that we already know enough about risk factors that contribute to the disease to reduce its incidence by 30 percent.
Oncologists emphasize the substantial progress in treatment of the disease over the past two decades – including tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and Herceptin – which have contributed to reducing breast cancer mortality.
The exclusive focus on breast cancer skews one’s perspective by blotting out other opportunities. For example, while 40,000 women die each year from breast cancer in the U.S., over 70,000 women die from lung cancer, and the vast majority of these deaths could be eliminated in the absence of smoking.
Or what about the fact that only one-third of 11- and 12-year old girls complete the course of human papillomavirus vaccine which prevents most cervical cancers? As the
Nature editorial pointed out, improving compliance would “provide huge gains against the roughly 4,000 deaths and 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer seen in the U.S. each year.”
Although we speak easily about breast cancer as if it were a single entity, breast cancer comprises at least five different types, which are, at least to some extent, distinct in terms of their molecular signatures, pathology, prognosis, and treatment. The slow pace of acquiring new knowledge that would lend itself to prevention is a reflection of the bewildering complexity of the disease. But this very complexity also means that there are many different points at which the development and progression of the disease could be intercepted. One of the few certainties about the science of breast cancer is that no one can predict what the next breakthrough will be.
One can sympathize with NBCC’s critique of business-as-usual and its frustration with the slow pace of progress on prevention and still be skeptical regarding the wisdom of setting an arbitrary deadline and focusing attention on a small number of lines of research out of the many that are being vigorously pursued by researchers all over the world.
{{article.article.page + 1}}/ {{article.article.pages.length}}Continue | 5,173 | 2,423 | 0.000424 |
warc | 201704 | Full profile →'">
The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
Continued from page 2
An employee handbook is a window on your corporate soul. You can tell what sort of company you’re in (or considering joining) by reading its employee handbook, so if you’re job-hunting, make sure to get a copy. (If they won’t give you one, run for the hills and rejoice: you’ve dodged a bullet!).
Leaderless Leadership
When I read about the reality TV show “Undercover Boss” I thought it was a put-on. It can’t be true, I thought. Could CEOs and their handlers be stupid enough to shout the news on national TV: “Hey, world! I’ve got so little presence in my firm that my own employees don’t recognize me! Shareholders, especially, take note! Don’t you want a guy like me, unknown to his team, running the show?” Can you imagine being a Communications chief at one of these companies, and allowing your CEO to go on national TV and proclaim to the world that his or her employees don’t have a clue who s/he is?
We can’t imagine an Apple employee not knowing Steve Jobs’ face, voice and style, and Jobs was not alone in that respect. Ask any employee of a well-run company about his or her chief executive, and you’ll hear about a person with a beating heart, a face, possibly a bad haircut, and a point of view that’s well-known to the team.
What is the point of leadership, after all, except to share a vision and a worldview (associated with the leader’s own history and personality) with other people? Any CEO who could walk among his rank-and-filers without fear of being identified is a weak leader indeed, and should be attending remedial leadership courses, not demonstrating his failure on TV. If the employees in your organization don’t know who your top dog is, and don’t know his (or her) face, voice, jokes, views and perspective, can you say that your organization is being led, at all?
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warc | 201704 | SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Craig Teplicek has farmed 3,600 acres just a few miles from the Rio Grande River since the 1980s. He’s used to illegal immigrants trekking through his land. But in the last couple of years, his sunflower fields have turned into a war zone, he lamented.
“They use our place as a getaway when they’re getting chased because it’s all sandy and caliche road,” Teplicek said. “They can get far enough ahead of the law that they’ll drive through the fence and then everybody bail out.”
The danger has increased because illegal immigration now overlaps with the drug war. Teplicek has no idea anymore who is crossing his land.
The turmoil has prompted even Todd Staples, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner — and candidate for lieutenant governor — to speak out. It’s not in his job description, he said, but he can’t look the other way when private property is being trampled.
“I was forced into this role by land owners that came to me pleading for help in order to protect them and their families and their property,” Staples said.
He has written President Obama three times in recent months. His latest dispatch argued that spillover violence is now impacting the otherwise valuable border real estate market. Abundant riverfront properties that a few years ago would have been snapped up by farmers and ranchers now sit empty.
It’s all making realtor Terry Urdal — based in McAllen, TX less than 10 miles from the Rio Grande — throw his arms up in the air in frustration.
“Oh, it’s hurting my business a lot, yeah,” he said. “You know, I’ve got $3 million in property there on the river that I can’t sell.”
Whether it’s reality or just perception, interested buyers abruptly end the conversation as soon as they hear the land is on the banks of the Rio Grande. Urdal has five properties he hasn’t been able to sell for over a year. And that’s even after cutting the asking price by half.
One is a 500-acre beauty right next to a natural wildlife refuge.
“The property’s fantastic. It’s in the delta area, you know, that gets fertilization from the river and everything,” Urdal said. “But no one wants to risk buying it and getting in the way of the drug runners.”
The realtor continued: “They hijack tractors, they hijack people with cars. These are the worst kind of people you can imagine.”
No one knows for sure how much land sits unsold. There’s no state database that tracks real estate sales along the border. But most realtors in South Texas are well aware of the problem. Buyers seem to draw an imaginary cut-off line.
“We’re not having problems with it up here. You get down to two or three counties below San Antonio and that’s where you start having people tell you: ‘Well, that’s a little further south than I want to go,’” said Shawn Smith. He has properties all across the region, but focuses on counties just south of San Antonio.
Teplicek, the border farmer, hopes things will get better. But he has seen neighbors pack up and he’s getting pressure at home to also move.
“Yeah, well, that’s my wife’s thinking, that we ought to just sell and leave,” he said.
But even if he didn’t face the current market challenge given his location, Teplicek said he’s not one to be easily intimidated. He pledged to stay put as long as he can.
“It’s everybody’s civic duty to help out, don’t just turn and run right away,” Teplicek said. “Hell, we have young kids, 18, 19 years old overseas fighting and giving up their lives and we’re over here on our homeland and people are turning tail and running.”
But the bloodshed is unlikely to taper off anytime soon. It’s already six years since Mexican President Felipe Calderón — now in his last year in office — openly declared war on powerful drug cartels.
The impact of the drug war continues its expansion into more areas of Texas culture.
The long-time tradition of hunting may be the next victim. The Texas Wildlife Association said this year there’s a notable decrease in hunting leases given out on private ranches in South Texas.
The association said hunters fear encountering armed drug traffickers out in the brush. In fact, the nonprofit group is dedicating the cover story of the upcoming issue of its monthly magazine to this controversy. | 4,557 | 2,227 | 0.000485 |
warc | 201704 | Lessons Learned: Five Reasons Care Management Programs Fail As the healthcare environment evolves, healthcare providers struggle with the redesign of their care management programs to deliver the more stringent outcomes demanded. Care management is at the heart of identifying and working with patients at risk. It is charged with coordinating the internal care team and external providers to establish a care continuum that ensures smooth transitions and judicious use of scarce health care resources. New processes must be developed in conjunction with the historical functions of utilization review, denials management and discharge planning. With changes to the payment landscape and the transparency of outcomes, care management programs must have a broader focus on readmissions, length of stay, emergency room visits, appropriate level of care and indirect costs.
Differences in terminology and definitions only add to the confusion. In an effort to minimize confusion, care management within this article is defined as, “A process designed to assist patients and their support systems in managing their medical/social/mental health conditions more efficiently and effectively. Case management and disease management are included in this definition. ”
1 FTI has worked with numerous healthcare providers to design or redesign their care management programs based on desired outcomes. This process starts with defining the organization’s goals and objectives and requires understanding of what type(s) of outcomes the organization is expecting from these activities.Through years of experience, FTI has identified the top five reasons many programs struggle and how to assist our clients with the delivery of efficient patient care. | 1,757 | 877 | 0.001153 |
warc | 201704 | Whether it’s walleyes and smallmouth bass from cold-running rivers or trout, largemouth bass and tiger muskies through the ice, Keystone State waters provide hardy anglers with plenty of opportunities each winter.
Regulations vary greatly by water and species. Many waters are open for catch-and-release trout fishing year ’round. Some are closed to the taking of trout as early as September and others have extended seasons for stocked trout that last all winter. For this reason, anglers should always check the most current regulations booklet, available wherever fishing licenses are sold or online at www.fish.state.pa.us/regs_fish.htm.
NORTHWEST REGION Lake Erie There’s just no way to talk fishing in Pennsylvania without a bow to Lake Erie, a premier hardwater destination for yellow perch. While Presque Isle Bay is just one section of the vast lake, it is the area known for giving up the majority of yellow perch taken through the ice each year.
Access is through Presque Isle State Park in Erie, off Peninsula Drive.
There are plenty of other species to be had, including smallmouth bass and steelhead trout. Anglers catch an average of 1.5 million fish here annually!
When venturing out during the winter months, stick to the big lake’s bays and coves. Lake Erie is the 11th largest lake in the world in surface area, and open water remains at its center pretty much year ’round.
Pennsylvania has about 500 miles of coastline along the Great Lake and access points are plentiful. Check DeLorme’s Pennsylvania Atlas and Gazetteer, maps 26 and 27, for details.
Pymatuning Lake Anglers shouldn’t let Erie’s offerings dazzle them to the point that they overlook some excellent inland Northwest Region hardwater destinations. Pymatuning Lake is in Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County, offering anglers 17,088 acres in which to drill their holes. This is the largest inland lake within the Commonwealth, and sits within the largest state park (21,122 acres), as well.
Pymatuning is best known as an excellent largemouth bass fishery. Anglers can also expect to catch smallmouth bass, walleyes, muskellunge, crappies and perch here.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 28, for area details.
Conneaut Lake in Crawford County is best known for giving up big pike though the ice. The lake is also home to muskies, bass and panfish that will keep younger anglers entertained for hours.
Access is off state Route 6/322 west of Interstate Route 79 in the town of Conneaut Lake.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 28, for access details.
Other Northwest Region Hotspots According to Al Woomer, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologist covering most of the Northwest Region, several other waters are worth checking out this winter, including Allegheny Reservoir in McKean and Warren counties for walleyes, northern pike and yellow perch; Edinboro Lake in Erie County for walleyes, muskies, bass and panfish; and Twomile Run Reservoir in Venango County for trout, muskies, bass, walleyes and panfish.
Allegheny Reservoir is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The reservoir is managed primarily for walleyes. There are also muskies, smallmouth bass, white bass and yellow perch here.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 31 for multiple access sites.
Edinboro Lake covers 245 acres in the town of Edinboro south of Erie. The lake is stocked with juvenile muskies and walleyes. Access is off U.S. Route 6N.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 29, for more information.
Tim Wilson, a PFBC biologist in charge of the extreme northwest edge of the state, recommended that steelhead anglers target Lake Erie’s tributary streams, primarily Walnut and Elk creeks, this winter.
He also suggested Glade Run Lake for stocked trout, largemouth bass and panfish action. Glade Run is a 52-acre impoundment in Butler County. The lake is stocked with trout several times each year and is part of the Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters program.
The lake is also managed under Big Bass Program regulations.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 57, for details.
NORTH-CENTRAL REGION For hardwater action in the North-Central Region, head for Foster J. Sayers Lake in Centre County. According to David Kristine, a PFBC biologist in Fisheries Management Area 3, Sayers has good numbers of crappies, yellow perch, bluegills, bass and channel catfish.
The lake is managed under special Panfish Enhancement regulations, so be sure to check the rulebook before heading out.
Access is through Bald Eagle State Park off state Route 150, about midway between Milesburg and Lock Haven.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 48, for more information.
Rose Valley Lake in Lycoming County offers ice-anglers a shot at some big walleyes as well as muskies, pickerel, largemouth bass and panfish. Big Bass Program regulations are in effect here.
Access is off Route 15 north of Williamsport. Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 50, for details.
Kristine said that anglers in the North-Central Region might also want to fish Glendale Lake in Cambria County.
“This is a very good lake for muskellunge, walleyes and northern pike during ice-fishing season,” he said. “The lake contains good numbers of largemouth bass and panfish as well.”
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 60, for multiple access sites.
NORTHEAST REGION Kristine’s other pick was the West Branch Susquehanna River between Williamsport and Sunbury, which has muskies, walleyes and smallmouth bass and is easily fishable during the winter months. Other good winter waters for these species toward the Northeast include the Delaware River and North Branch Susquehanna.
Ice-anglers would do well to drill a few holes at Lower Woods Pond in Wayne County. This 91-acre pond is known for its great bass and pickerel fishing, as well as for
fast panfish action.
Access to Lower Woods is via Route 371 between Cold Spring and Rileyville.
For more information on these waters, check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 40.
Lake Frances covers only nine acres, but provides hardwater anglers with some great winter bass action. The lake is within Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County. Access is off Honey Hole Road onto Lake Frances Road.
For more details, check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 52.
Rob Wnuk, another Northeast Region area fisheries manager, said Lackawanna Lake in Lackawanna State Park, offers winter anglers good shots at opportunities for muskies, bass, bluegills, trout and crappies.
Ice-fishing is not allowed at the ice-skating area or under the bridge.
The 198-acre lake may be accessed via I-81 at Exit 199. Drive three miles west on state Route 524. Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 39, for area details.
Beechwood Lake in Tioga County has bass, bluegills and crappies, plus the 67-acre impoundment has been stocked with walleye fingerlings and is stocked with trout. It is managed under the Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters program.
Stephen Foster Lake, covering 75 acre in Mount Pisgah State Park in Bradford County, has bass, bluegills and perch.
Access to the park is two miles north of U.S. Route 6 off Wallace Road.
Check DeLorme’s PAG, Map 37, for more information. | 7,192 | 3,023 | 0.000339 |
warc | 201704 | Savannas are grasslands covered with perennial plants including grasses and shrubs and are identified by the amount of tree cover they have. An area is designated a savanna if less than half of it is covered by trees. There are several types of savannas including grass; tree, such as an oak savanna, and shrub, and savannas are further classified into how they were formed, such as tropical, which occur in warm, humid climates; edaphic, which occur when the soil is thin and derived or man-made. Vegetation in savannas is determined by climate and region, so tree savannas found in different parts of the world will contain plants native to that region.
Grass Savannas
Grass savannas are found in eastern Africa, Australia and the Llanos in Venezuela and Colombia and both are considered tropical savannas, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology. The shrubs found in Africa include forbs, small, flowering, broad-leafed plants that grow with the grass. Shrubs found in the Llanos savanna include melastomataceae, which are small flowering shrubs.
Tree Savannas
Examples of tree savannas include the cerrado savanna in Brazil, pine savannas in the Ozarks and oak savannas in the Midwestern United States. Shrubs found in the cerrado include several small flowering plants such as leguminosae, malpiphiaceae, myrtaceae, melastomaceae, rubiaceae and qualea grandiflora, which is used in folk remedies, according to "The Cerrado Biome in Central Brazil--Natural Ecology and Threats to its Diversity," by Nadja Schmidt. In the pine savannas of the American south, native shrubs such as titi thicket, buckwheat tree, gallberries and bayberries thrive.Shrubs found in the oak savannas of the Midwest include native plants such as wild plum, sand cherry, black cherry, smooth sumac and gray dogwood, according to OakSavannas.org.
Shrub Savanna
An example of a shrub savanna is found in Namibia, which is covered in thornbush, and several places in the United States including the Rio Grande Plains and the Balcones escarpment in Texas. Native shrubs on the Rio Grande plains include Mexican trixis, skeletonbush, Mexican caesalpinia, desert yaupon, low croton and yellow sophora, according to the NativePlantProject.com.In the Balcones, native shrubs such as sedges, bundleflowers, prairie clover, laurels and creepers, are prevalent, according to "Plants of the Balcones Preserve," by the Balcones Canyonlands Partners. | 2,452 | 1,140 | 0.000882 |
warc | 201704 | Worldwide Semiconductor Revenue to Decrease 16.3 Percent in 2009
Never before has the semiconductor industry experienced revenue declines in back-to-back years, but this will occur in 2009 as worldwide semiconductor revenue is forecast to total $219.2 billion, a 16.3 percent decline from 2008 revenue, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner’s preliminary 2008 market share results released last week show 2008 revenue reached $261.9 billion, a 4.4 percent decline from 2007.
Gartner’s last official forecast, issued in mid-November, had expected 2008 worldwide semiconductor revenue to grow 0.2 percent, and for the market to decline 2.2 percent in 2009. However, the financial crisis is having an unprecedented negative impact on fourth quarter 2008 sales and profits. Gartner expects semiconductor sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 to show a record quarter-on-quarter decline of 24.4 percent, surpassing the 20 percent decline record set in the second quarter of 2001. “While many executives may try to compare this downturn to the 2001 tech bubble, this downturn is different in many ways,” said Bryan Lewis, research vice president at Gartner. “This downturn is broad-based, not limited to only technology, has a much different growth profile before the downturn, and has far less inventory buildup. Inventory levels this time have been monitored and more tightly controlled throughout the entire food chain, and this will help the market come back more quickly than in 2001.” In 2001, the semiconductor industry experienced its worst revenue downturn in history, with sales declining 32.5 percent from the previous year. However, that collapse was following two strong revenue growth years in 1999 and 2000 when revenue grew 22 percent and 34 percent, respectively. Gartner analysts said the wild card for the semiconductor industry in 2009 is DRAM. The DRAM industry has been in a downturn for 18 months and losses are now approaching $12 billion. “The DRAM market is so bad that suppliers must either significantly scale back supply, or the weaker players will be forced into mergers or bankruptcy. Either way, we are expecting DRAM pricing to firm during the second half of 2009, and this has the potential to moderate the decline in 2009 semiconductor revenue," said Andrew Norwood, research vice president at Gartner. “Only widespread government support for the ailing DRAM vendors could avert this supply rationalization, and that would be a disaster for the industry as it would just prolong the current downturn.” At this time, there is much uncertainty in the market. In fact, Gartner analysts have said that in the negative scenario, the semiconductor industry could decline 24.7 percent. “However, with such a steep decline in the fourth quarter of 2008, it is possible that some companies have over-corrected to be on the safe side by keeping inventory levels at the absolute minimum,” Mr. Lewis said. “This leaves the door open for semiconductor sales in the first quarter of 2009 to be somewhat better than seasonally expected as some inventories will need to be replenished.” Gartner expects the semiconductor industry to bounce back in 2010 and 2011, with worldwide semiconductor revenue reaching $251.2 billion in 2010, a 14.6 percent increase from 2009, and in 2011 revenue reaching $274.9 billion, a 9.4 percent increase from the previous year. Additional information is available the Gartner report “Dataquest Alert: Semiconductor Revenue Plummets in 4Q08, Gartner Reduces 2009 Growth to 16%." The report is available on Gartner’s Web site at http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?ref=g_search&id=838214&subref=simplesearch.
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for its clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior information technology (IT) leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to supply chain professionals, digital marketing professionals and technology investors, Gartner is the valuable partner to clients in more than 10,000 distinct enterprises. Gartner works with clients to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual roles. Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has almost 9,000 associates, including 1,900 research analysts and consultants, operating in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.
Comments or opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual contributors only, and do not necessarily represent the views of Gartner, Inc. or its management. Readers may copy and redistribute blog postings on other blogs, or otherwise for private, non-commercial or journalistic purposes. This content may not be used for any other purposes in any other formats or media. The content on this blog is provided on an "as-is" basis. Gartner shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the content or use of this blog. | 5,209 | 2,379 | 0.000427 |
warc | 201704 | To find out, Carnegie Council invited world-changing visionaries and role models from diverse professions, backgrounds, and regions to identify the greatest ethical questions facing the planet and to offer creative advice on how humanity should respond.
The result is
Thought Leaders Forum, a multimedia site featuring insights from 55 leading minds. Browse through interviews with inspiring people such as former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; former U.S. National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft; political theorist Michael Walzer; and sociobiologist E. O. Wilson.
Access it free of charge here: http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/thoughtleaders
In the tradition of Andrew Carnegie, who founded Carnegie Council 100 years ago, we asked Thought Leaders questions related to world peace and ethical leadership. Please watch the videos and let us know what you think:
The Carnegie Council team spent several months poring over the interview transcripts and designing a website with an eye toward making these complex topics as accessible as possible. The background images are photographs that depict themes of civic participation, leadership, as well as natural and cultural heritage.
“By taking the occasion of our centennial to ask leading thinkers from around the world these big—almost unreasonable—questions, we aimed to accomplish several things,” said project director Devin Stewart. “First, we wanted to illuminate the current thinking on topics that are core to our mission, namely ethics, peace, and education. Second, by including questions of an aspirational nature, we hoped to help organizations with agenda-setting. Finally, the Thought Leaders site serves as an educational resource to spark debates in classrooms worldwide.”
Stewart will synthesize the interviews into a report and syllabus later this year.
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Comment | 1,946 | 1,073 | 0.000952 |
warc | 201704 | We’ve done virtually all the rough country mowing at the farm the past two seasons with DR’s 44-inch cut, 17-horsepower, electric start, tow-behind Field and Brush Mower. DR Power recommends pulling the mower with an ATV or garden tractor. We have used both of those motivators and a couple of different UTVs with good success. The danger with using the UTV is that the mower controls aren’t as close at hand as is optimal. The DR tow-behind Field and Brush Mower has performed exceptionally well, considering the abuse it’s experienced.
I will admit to being a mite skeptical to the concept of such a scaled-down mower for rough-country cutting. Until we got this mower, we handled all the rotary cutting with a Bush Hog Squeeler mounted on the 36-hp Kubota’s 3-point hitch. Some of our country is really rough … strewn with chunks of limestone no less … so operating the tractor in our roughest pastures isn’t very comfortable. With their long suspension travel and cushy seats, the ATVs and UTVs eat those bumps for breakfast and come back looking for more.
Behind the Polaris Ranger Sportsman 500 ATV, the DR tow-behind Field and Brush Mower was a dream to operate. I first used the mower to cut some hiking trails around the farm. I was able to make the paths at about 11 miles per hour. The ATV was surefooted and comfortable at that speed, and the Kohler twin-cylinder engine had no trouble spinning the Field and Brush Mower’s blade … except in the thickest and tallest grass in moist lows. In those areas, I had to slow the mowing to about 5 miles per hour. The Polaris/DR Field and Brush Mower combination was also invaluable for cutting the acres of fire break around the CRP, in preparation for the controlled burn we accomplished last spring.
Since I don’t have much luck controlling musk thistles with herbicides, and I don’t really like spraying the stuff, this year I went after the herbaceous pests with the tow-behind Field and Brush Mower. This time, I used the Cub Cadet Volunteer UTV to pull the mower. The mowing was pretty light-duty for the Cub Cadet, but it was surely comfortable mowing. I got so carried away with shredding thistles that I eventually mowed about 20 acres with that combination. Again, the Field and Brush Mower performed flawlessly. Somewhere along the line, the entire front projectile guard on the mower got torn off. It is made of a flexible rubber-like material, and I suspect that some thorny Osage Orange seedlings just grabbed hold of it as I was mowing them down. I think this piece should be replaced with something like chain mail … or it should be available as an option. I didn’t feel worried that the piece was missing when using the UTV, but with the ATV or garden tractor, it would have been potentially dangerous.
This fall, I cleaned up the fire breaks and paths and mowed a bunch of cedar saplings with the DR Field and Brush Mower behind the Polaris Ranger 700 EFI XP. The Polaris is a dream machine when it comes to mowing … and since it has a speedometer, I was able to document that mowing at 10 miles per hour was easy to do. The Field and Brush Mower is a monster when it comes to chewing up small trees and brush. The 17-horsepower version is rated to shred saplings up to 2 inches in diameter. I know ours has tasted a few trees that were larger. On our last outing, I noticed a couple of bolts that attach the motor housing to the deck had worked loose and fallen out. The machine’s manual indicates that you should check and tighten all nuts and bolts periodically. Considering that the mower has around 60 acres of bouncing around and almost 40 engine hours on it, I am not surprised that some things came loose. I have done no checking or maintenance on the machine other than changing the engine oil.
I continue to be impressed with the quality and utility of the DR tow-behind Field and Brush Mower. Truth be told, the Kubota-mounted rotary cutter never got used this year. I am not ready to sell the Bush Hog Squealer just yet, but it certainly isn’t going to get the hours going forward as it used to in the past.
Hank Will
raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper's Farmer magazines. Connect with him on Google+. | 4,487 | 2,134 | 0.000479 |
warc | 201704 | At Guns and Hunting, Richard Mann is talking about the slide lock function on a semi-automatic pistol. He is not in favor of it, as he’s seen guns go to premature slide lock at inopportune moments during training, and has adjusted his personal training to work around the slide lock. He wonders if the slide lock has an actual tactical value, or if its utility is limited to administrative functions.
When you look at the slide lock in terms of competition shooting, you have to think in terms of “speed of reload”. For example, there are three types of reloads in competition shooting, presented here in order of fastest to slowest:
Speed reload: with a live round in the chamber, eject the magazine regardless of how many rounds it contains, and insert a fresh magazine. Keep shooting. Slide lock reload: with the gun at slide lock, eject the empty magazine, insert a fresh magazine, lower the slide. Resume shooting. Reload w/retention: Eject the partially empty magazine and stow in a pocket or mag holder, insert a fresh magazine. Resume shooting.
In 2 out of the 3 reloads, the gun never goes to slide lock; and indeed in the fastest reload the gun going to slide lock is a disadvantage. However, you can’t dismiss the utility of the slide lock function, because in IDPA competition, the slide lock reload is the preferred reload. IDPA doesn’t allow the speed reload, so for the purposes of that game, slide lock is an important reload since it’s faster than the retention reload by a long shot.
So to answer the question of whether or not the slide lock is purely administrative or has an actual value, I’d have to go with “actual value”, especially for competition shooting. If you’re having issues with the going to slide lock prematurely, it can be defeated with training (assuming that the gun itself isn’t defective). | 1,890 | 881 | 0.001173 |
warc | 201704 | Netanyahu Ahead of Trump Phone Call: I Am Willing to Give Palestinians a 'State-minus'
It's quite amusing to read the comments of "experts on the capital market" - CEOs of investment firms, directors of mutual funds, brokers and speculators who make their living from the capital market - when they are asked about the expected developments in the stock market.
For those who live from market commissions, the situation is sharp and clear: The wise say that the stock market (which has risen by 28 percent in the past two months) will continue to climb and pass 500 points, thereby, of course, increasing their commissions. The wicked say that it will reach 470 points and that anyone who has yet to enter the market is going to be sorry. The simple folk say that because all the news is good in the security sphere (Iraq), the stock market will hit 450 points by the end of the year. And those who don't know how to ask say: Don't inquire into what's beyond you - it's rising and therefore it will continue to rise.
Everyone is positing positive scenarios: Iraq is no longer a threat; the loan guarantees from the United States will soon be forthcoming; the economic plan will be passed because there is no alternative; and the peace process will also be moving along soon. After all, the prime minister said that he would take advantage of the window of opportunity to launch negotiations with the new Palestinian leadership.
Ignoring ominous portents is standard practice among stock market people. They don't mention the bogged-down negotiations with the Histadrut labor federation and the threat of a general strike; they don't talk about the difficulties that have emerged in the attempts to form a Palestinian government; and they don't deal with the fact that the war in the territories is not yet over and that we could be in for more terrorist attacks. Furthermore, they don't bother to do the economic calculations for the 2003 budget.
Even on the assumption that the most optimistic scenario will be realized - that the Finance Ministry will succeed in slashing the budget by NIS 9 billion - even then, the situation won't be good.
A few days ago, the accountant-general at the treasury, Nir Gilad, said, "Without in-depth treatment on the expenditure side, the budget deficit could reach NIS 33 billion this year - a deficit of 6.6 percent."
Therefore, even if the economic plan is approved and the treasury manages to cut the budget by NIS 9 billion in seven months (because the implementation of the plan will not begin before June, at best - and not in April, as was originally thought), the deficit will reach NIS 24 billion, or 4.8 percent of the gross domestic product.
This is a dangerously high deficit, which will lead to a lowering of Israel's credit rating. It's higher than the deficit the finance minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is talking about (3.5 percent), and far higher than the deficit that the governor of the Bank of Israel, David Klein, would like to see (3 percent).
There are some who hope that salvation will come from the American loan guarantees. But this is a hope in vain too. The terms of the guarantees ($8 billion) and the defense grant ($1 billion) have yet to be concluded with the Americans; but in any event, Israel will not receive the sum in one package. In addition, this year's external debt is especially high - close to $4 billion - such that all the guarantees that will be available this year will have to be used to raise new loans to replace the old ones.
As a result, the guarantees will not be able to finance the budget deficit. For this, the treasury will have to raise NIS 24 billion from the public - a frightening amount. And that's only if the economic plan is approved in the very near future.
And what will happen should it turn out in the days ahead that the negotiations with the Histadrut have run aground and that a harsh, prolonged general strike is imminent?
In such a case, the treasury will not be able to wait very long before raising capital. It will have to start in May, or in June at the latest, because otherwise there will be no money with which to pay salaries in the public sector. And then, as soon as it becomes apparent that the treasury has to raise such huge sums, everyone will understand that the optimism currently on display in the capital market is slightly excessive.
In short order, the optimism will become gloomy pessimism; the funds and their ilk will be thrown into the bond market, the interest rates will spiral upward; the stock market will plunge abruptly; and the dollar will soar back toward the $5 level.
The conclusion is that one should not follow the market blindly. Sometimes, it can be wrong - as witnessed when the Nasdaq bubble burst exactly three years ago.
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warc | 201704 | Vaccine Side Effects, Refuse Vaccines
"
The greatest lie ever told is that vaccines are safe and effective." Dr. Len Horowitz D.M.D., M.A., M.P.H. Vaccines Information Section Stated Intention: To learn about the harm caused by vaccines so that you will not allow them to be administered to your children under any pretenses.
Vaccines are mandated, this means that are not required by the law. It is important to research the exemptions in your state carefully.
Vaccines Exposed (Video)- A Hidden Crime Against Our Children
The video covers some of the material on this website.
1. There is no evidence vaccines work. " Incredible as it sounds, such a common-sense controlled study comparing vaccinated to unvaccinated children has never been done in America for any vaccination." Dr. Phillip Incao MD Dr. Incao's webpage " There have never been any studies of this nature, and apparently none have been attempted." Dr. Harold Buttram MD Dr. Buttram's webpage Ask you doctor:Ask your vaccine promoting health care provider, to show you the double blind studies, or any long term study, that shows that the particular vaccine confers immunity to the disease it is supposed to. You have the right to know the effectiveness of each vaccine you use, and to consider its effectiveness in light of the known side effects. You will find that no such study exists for any vaccine. The claims that vaccines work are not based on scientific facts. 2. Mandatory vaccines violate the Nuremberg Code, a set of medical ethical standards created due to the horrors of nazi experimentation of humans. "Safety testing of many vaccines is limited and the data are unavailable for independent scrutiny, so that mass vaccination is equivalent to human experimentation and subject to the Nuremberg Code, which requires voluntary informed consent;" Association of American Physicians and Surgeons 3. Vaccines cause death and permanent disability. The Vaccine Adverse Reporting Systems (VAERS) documented 2,142, deaths and 3,177 permanent disabilities between 1991-2001 from vaccinations. (See Table 9) Surveillance for Safety After Immunization The actual statistics are between 10 - 66 times higher (approximately 21,420 - 142,800 deaths), as only between 1.5-10% of adverse events are reported. The FDA acknowledges only 10% of adverse reports are filed. In a 1993 statement of former FDA commision, David Kessler, he writes of a study where only "about 1% of serious events are reported to the FDA." See JAMA source An analysis by Wald & Shojan [in 2001] found that only 1.5% of all adverse events result in an incident report. See Adverse Reactions “Vaccination causes significant death and disability at an astounding personal and financial cost to uninformed families and society.” Alan Phillips, see his well footnoted article. 4. Published scientific studies link vaccines to causing and promoting, AIDS, Autism, Cancer, Diabetes, Hearing/Vision Loss, Hepatitis B, MMR, Mumps, Polio and Rubella. Vaccines linked to diseases by scientific studies, Global Vaccine Institute "After extensively researching the medical literature, we have identified six ways that vaccination may cause cancer, either directly or indirectly."Mr. and Mrs. Horwin, whose son died of brain cancer connected to a vaccine. Deadly Immunity - documentation that the government hid clear links between vaccines and autism, by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Rolling Stone 5. Vaccines do not confer immunity to the diseases they are supposed to. "Official data have shown that the large-scale vaccinations undertaken in the US have failed to obtain any significant improvement of the diseases against which they were supposed to provide protection." Dr Albert Sabin, developer of the Oral Polio vaccine (lecture to Italian doctors in Piacenza, Italy, December 7th 1985) Doctors and Scientists Condemn Vaccination 6. Vaccines may be contaminated with unknown substances, no independent testing is done to ensure purity, this is a standard below what is used for many foods. "Manufacturers do most vaccine testing because it would be impractical for the FDA to test every batch of every vaccine made. The companies conduct tests for potency and sterility, among other things, and share the results with the FDA."USA Today, Flu Vaccine Debacle "No batch of vaccine can be proved safe before it is given to children."Leonard Scheele, Surgeon General of the United States addressing an AMA convention in 1955 New Zealand Vaccine Newsletter 7. Vaccines can be contaminated with viruses from animals. "SV40 is a virus found in some species of monkey. Soon after its discovery in 1960, SV40 was found in polio vaccine. Over 98 million Americans received one or more doses of polio vaccine during the period (1955-1963) when some of the vaccine was contaminated with SV40."CDC, Simian Virus The SV40 virus is linked to cancer. A Cancer Causing Monkey Virus from FDA-Approved Vaccines " In the Rimavex measles vaccine, we found various chicken viruses. In polio vaccine, we found acanthamoeba, which is a so-called "brain-eating" amoeba. Simian cytomegalovirus in polio vaccine. Simian foamy virus in the rotavirus vaccine. Bird-cancer viruses in the MMR vaccine. Various micro-organisms in the anthrax vaccine. I've found potentially dangerous enzyme inhibitors in several vaccines. Duck, dog and rabbit viruses in the rubella vaccine. Avian leucosis virus in the flu vaccine. Pestivirus in the MMR vaccine." Vaccine Dangers, from a vaccine whistle blower 8. Vaccines are made with ingredients that are highly toxic, there are few if any tests to prove the safety of these ingredients. Vaccine ingredients include, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), phenol (a caustic, poisonous acidic compound present in coal tar and wood tar), formaldehyde, aluminum, and thimerosal (mercury), neomycin (anti-biotic), streptomycin(anti-bacterial), squalene (fish, or plant oil) , aluminum, gelatin, and MSG (neurotoxin). Some vaccinations are created with African green monkey kidney tissue, chicken and guinea pig embryonic tissue, calf serum, and human diploid cells (the dissected organs of aborted human fetuses). Vaccine Ingredient List from the CDC, PDF file You can learn more about Vaccine ingredients here on Dr. Viera Scheibner’s website. 9. Vaccines did not lead to a decrease in diseases.
Medical Measures and the Decline of Mortality, John B. McKinlay, Sonja M. McKinlay, published in book, The Sociology of Health & Illness: Critical Perspectives, Peter Conrad
10. Vaccines are used as tools for genocide in the third world. "In fact it (the HIV virus) is created by a scientist for biological warfare"Wangari Maathai, first African woman to win Nobel Peace Prize, AIDS a WMD "Smallpox Vaccine TriggeredMay 11 1987, Pearce Wright, The Times(picture of article, Front Page), Actual Article AIDSVirus" "WHO, the World Health Organization, murdered Africa with the AIDS virus.. They used small pox vaccine for their vehicle and the geographical sites chosen in 1972 were Uganda and other African states, Haiti, Brazil and Japan. "William Campbell Douglas, MD, W.H.O. Murdered Africa "AIDS is a manmade or genetically engineered virus. Aids is not a homosexual disease, AIDS is not a venereal disease, AIDS did not originate from the green monkey. AIDs is not prevented by the use of condoms." The Strecker Memorandum, The shocking research, that led to the murder of one of its authors, a government official, and the other Dr. Strecker is in hiding. The Strecker's also wrote, Bio-Attack Alert which documents how AIDS is a bio-weapon. Also see rethinking AIDS, and the Other Side of AIDS 11. Viruses May Not Be the Cause of Certain Diseases
If you see my cause of disease section, you will see how we blame too often microorganisms as being the culprit in diseases when they are likely part of a natural cycle, and not a cause, but an effect.
Another excellent resource is Jim West's, Polio and DDT. Mr. West provides the shocking evidence that Polio was caused by DDT in milk.
The point is that, when science is used as it is supposed to be used, in search for truth, then we can find the causes of many diseases. In the case of Polio, it was not the virus, but human poison that was the cause.
Vaccine Informational Pages
How Vaccines Are Made (incomplete)
http://www.putchildrenfirst.org/index2.html
Vaccines not tested for Saftey (incomplete)
12. Vaccine Nation, Gary Null's Moving Documentary Against Vaccines - Watch This Movie and you will never Vaccinate Take Action To Stop Vaccine Mandates! (Click Vaccination Link)
Other Information:
Online Vaccines Documentaries Online Vaccine Articles Vaccine Educational Websites
Know Vaccines - A parent offers this vaccination information site because of the loss of his daughter to vaccine induced cancer.
Vaccine Liberation Organization - Organization devoted to repealing mandatory vaccine laws. Whale Vaccines - One father’s investigations into Vaccinations, this is one source I used for quotes, it is very thorough. Vaccines Healing Arts - Studies on vaccine complications Think Twice About Vaccines - We offer an extensive selection of uncensored information on childhood shots and other immunizations. Medalters –The VAERS database has been put online, you can see how real the adverse events are. Generation Rescue - Published vaccine studies. Vaccine Educational Books Vaccination: 100 Years of Orthodox Research Shows That Vaccines Represent a Medical Assault on the Immune System, by Viera Scheibner, Ph.D. Universal Immunization—Medical Miracle or Masterful Mirage? by Raymond Obomsawin, Ph.D. Read free online at the above link or available from Health Action Network. The Sanctity of Human Blood : Vaccination is Not Immunization by Tim O'Shea How To Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor, by Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. The Immunization Decision: A Guide For Parents, by Dr. Randall Neustaedter. Vaccinations and Immunization: Dangers, Delusions and Alternatives, by Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O. Immunization: The Reality Behind The Myth, by Walene James. The Virus and the Vaccine: The True Story of a Cancer-Causing Monkey Virus, Contaminated Polio Vaccine, and the Millions of Americans Exposed, by Debbie Bookchin, Jim Schumacher
Learn more information about fertility, a healthy pregnancy, a safe birth, and natural parenting.
If you have enjoyed this website, then the published book which this website is based upon,
Healing Our Children, is a must read. A vibrant and healthy child can be yours. Even your doctor or midwife do not know the vital information revealed in this book. Give your best to your children and future children... Feedback From Readers Who Have Nurtured Their Offspring with advice from Healing Our Children This truly is a book to heal our future generation of children! - Hally Cuttner Ramiel Nagel's book "Healing Our Children", lovingly provides holistic perspectives on the many facets of parenting and family life. Through the guidance of this book we have become more aware and enlightened parents. Overall, this book exudes an energy of life and honesty. It is a refreshing addition to the run of the mill parenting guide. Thank you Rami! - Jamie Busch, New Jersey This book is a treasure for new families, for all those who are planning on having children or already have young kids. - Olga In this book Rami explains the basics of how nutrition is linked to so many of these so-called "incurable" diseases. At the end of the day, there are no shortcuts. We do need to take full responsibility of raising our children properly. - Sandeep Agarwal Healthy Pregnancy & Parenting Book Healing Our Childrenreveals that each disease of pregnancy and childhood can be prevented naturally. The secrets of having a vibrant, bright-eyed baby are explained in easy to grasp terms. Learn how to: ·substantially reduce your child's risk for disease. ·reduce your risk of birth defects by 1602%, miscarriage by 640%, and premature births by 315%. ·reverse infertility with 78.4% success eating real food. ·raise your child so they feel loved, honored and cherished. Vaccine Resources Notes From Readers: Healing Our Childrenwill serve as an important tool in reversing the now obvious trend to physical degeneration and restoring vibrant health to all children. Weston A. Price Foundation I've read over 12 books on this topic and this is my number one book to the extent that it's become my bible, in that I've read it over 5 times and my husband has also read it. Ramiel's book really helped us along this journey and I can't recommend this book enough. It's truly is life changing!! If you are going to buy a diet / nutritional / lifestyle book for pre-pregnancy, pregnancy or for children, this book would be my number one choice.
Jena Morris - Australia
My daughter just turned 5 and we adopted the recommendations you mention in the book. I have to say that I have never seen her that happy. Always in a good mood and I've never seen a baby that smiley.
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France If you are planning to have a child, be sure to read the book, "Healing Our Children." "Healing Our Children" will help you prepare for a healthy pregnancy and also contribute to the health and wellness of your entire family.
Pam Killeen,
NY Times Best selling Author | 13,384 | 6,400 | 0.000158 |
warc | 201704 | Puts you in the "pre-diabetic" range, though. That means, if you're not already doing it, possibly some minor lifestyle changes like lowering your sugar & carbohydrate intake and getting more active could go a long way to seeing that A1C lowered. This is the point where doctors like to start some medication (unless diet & exercise amendments show that you can lower and maintain your A1C in acceptable range).
The one thing to know about Diabetes.... it's progressive. Once your metabolism starts hiccuping, some changes should be made to see that it doesn't progress into Diabetes. Cheers, - Phishbowl (Type 1 since Jan'05 - Levemir, NovoRapid) "What's Not Measured Is Not Managed" "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows"-Epictetus | 773 | 489 | 0.002069 |
warc | 201704 | Start a walking program in 3 easy steps Map out a route, dress appropriately, and follow our quick-start guide to get going.
As we said on page 1, exercise is medicine, and walking is a very common and good form of exercise. Regular brisk walks can help lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. They can also strengthen bones and muscles, burn more calories, and lift mood. So why is it hard for many of us to start a walking program?
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warc | 201704 | Senior Member (female)
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 105
Re: LPR- Nearly Cured! READ THIS
Hello Hrvixou: happy to share what has worked for me. I had the same experience with the LPR diagnois. My LPR was extremely severe. I literally was burning to death from the vapor/gas/droplets hitting my throat and throat nerves. Back in 2009-2010 when I was trying to get it diagnoised they just put me on stronger and stronger PPIs. They did nothing for me. I developed pnuemonia that wouldn't go away and my blood pressure hit 180+. I look back, I was pretty sick but I was so lost in pain and trying so hard to understand what was wrong with me and I trusted my Drs to try to find out what was wrong with me. My GI in another region, entered the office in Feb 2010, the morning after I was diagnosed with pnuemonia and in quick succession said, "PPIs give 30% of the people who take them pnuemonia, I don't think the PPIs are working for you and we have to think about sending you to surgery but first we have to do a PH test." He never told me to stop the PPIs and he left the room. All my Drs were either cold, to busy or had no knowledge of how to deal with LPR (sometimes referred to as "silent acid reflux" or "burning throat") but at least these first set of Drs in another region put a name to what I had. I didn't not understand what I had as Drs don't talk very much and just give you pills. I took the Nexium off and on, balancing beteen the 20% relief they gave me and the knowledge that in me they gave me severe pnuemonia. It was a night mare. So I basically seared to death until I got to May 2010 and had a fundoplication surgery. I had no problem with the stomach part of surgery. I healed fine. But the LPR...I came out of the fundoplication surgery 10x worse! Due to a retirement and moving closer to grandchildren I had to start up with new Drs who knew even less then the prevous Drs. I tried reseaching and went down every road imaginable to try to understand what I had and what could possible be so wrong with me that no Dr could help me. The new Drs either yelled at me in front of my husband saying, "that's absurd! I never heard of such a thing..." mind you I was describing the best I could as a patient, what hurt, and the new GI got angry with me like I was making it up. I began to think I was losing my mind. I was referred to mental health and through all of the meetings I kept saying there is no stress in my life except I'm in excruciating pain in my neck, head, throat, ears, cheek, behind my nose. Finally I was referred to a new GI and ENT (after I demanded that I get new Drs or I would report them) and I got new Drs who at least tried to listen. Finally the new ENT confirmed my throat was so seared that he had to go in and do a biopsy. It was indescribable the pain and I was in and the terror I felt losing 1-2 lbs at day for 3 months. These new DRs told me they had never heard of LPR and doubted it existed. Even when I showed them the printed web page of the closest University teaching hospital who had a LPR website they were stunned. The new GI said she went to that University as a medical intern and had never heard of LPR. Words can not describe my terror or desperation. My Drs didn't have the faintest idea what I had nor even how to help me. And mind you it was well documented I had a fundoplication and had LPR. I guess I was beginning to cost alot of money and they didn't know what to do for me. I slowly gained some knowledge of what I had, just by reading and reading and researching. It took a long time for me, as I'm just a patient, with no medical back ground to understand what I had. Basically, what I could gather was that the LES & UES don't close off the stomach and acid vapor/gas/droplets rise and hit the throat, which can not take any vapor/gas/droplets of acid of any kind. The throat tissue is only one layer thick... and when acid vapor/gas/droplets hit it non-stop day after day, it begins to burn through the nerves in the thin layer of the throat. The lower esphogus is made to take vapor/gas but not the top thin layer of the throat. I understood by Jan 2011 the mechanics of what was wrong with me but I didn't understand why the fundoplication didn't work. The PH studies done after the fundo sugery showed that my acid score above the LES went from a score of 40 to .4, which is just about what most people have. So my new GI thought that maybe there was a second problem they couldn't identify that was wrong with me. So that became the sticking point. They didn't want to see me anymore as they couldn't do anything for me. All the Drs, the ENT, the GI, the Regional GI all told me I had to learn to live with the searing unbearable pain. And they never offered pain medications. Meanwhile I burned to death 24/7. Yes, it was a nightmare. My new GI offered Carafate but it didn't help me. I still burned to death. I slowly began to take over my treatment plan. I took bottles of Gaviscon...didn't work. And because the GI didn't know what to do she allowed me to do it to develop my own treatment plans. I experimented and asked for medical probiotics and took 900 billion a day. I got about 20% relief. But if anyone can imagine what a burn patient goes through, that is what a LPR patient goes through, only its on the inside of the throat the the agent that is burning never stops burning you to death. My biopsy was done but it was so touch and go because I also had a thyroid removal, which was a totally separtate issue. To go into surgery burning to death took immense courage. I told the surgeon I didn't think I could make it. I couldn't take pain medications as they burn the LPR patient to death. (LPR patients have to be so careful that medicines they take don't cause more acid to be made) I had to rely only on acetomitphin for pain, as it is the only thing that doesn't cause excessive acid to rise up to the throat. And I had to do that research myself. None of my Drs was aware that they couldn't just give me any type of medication. It had to be something that didn't burn me to death. And there's not much. Only acetomitphin fills that need. The vapor/gas acid is bad enough. During this time I began to really become uneasy with the knowledge of my Drs. I was beginning to view them as not really trained well in a very common problem (LPR) alot of people have all over the world. It botherd me first of all that they thought it was stress related. That is total bunk! From what I was reading and researched, I had an anotomical problem with my esophogeal spincters. They weren't working! And the more I read it wasn't just me, it was people all over the world who had LPR (or silent acid reflux or burning throat). And it was people of all ages! Babies, children, teenagers, young adults, mature people and the elderly and my new Drs kept telling me they didn't believe LPR existed and that they couldn't help me anymore and that there nothing more that could be done. I became quite upset and desperate. I was angry that I was made to feel like there was something I was doing wrong and that they would continue to collect my health care premiums but not continue to try to find help for me. I asked if I could go outside of my HMO and see a Dr in cutting edge treatments for LPR. They denied me and said I could go if I wanted to pay for it. To be burning to death and to have them tell you they don't know what you have and that they see no need to see you anymore is incredable to me. This is the state of our medical care today! They take our premiums but let you burn to death without an outside referral. I was angy and went home and knew just enough mechanically what was wrong with me and typed into the web, "what strengthens muscles" as I knew by then that the LES and UES are small spinchter muscles of the esphogus. Up popped articles on Vit D. The more I read the more I felt it was worth a try. I kept reseaching on the beset Vit D to take. It appeared to me to be Vit D3 drop or softgels. I ordered them right away. As soon as I took them within a few days the severity of the searing burning piercing pain began to slowly leave. I realized that probably every muscle in my body and other biological processes were improving. I also had severe shoulder joint/knee pain, where I couldn't raise my arms to shower, or comb my hair or get into a coat. But the throat/head/neck/cheek/ear/behind the nose pain trumped everything. I tried to live as normal a life as I could but I was beginning to think in 2011 that if I didn't wake up it would be ok. The pain was unrelenting until I started the Vit D3. I read some articles that indicate that that doing it by weight is helpful (although there is more to it than meets the eye). I read that 35 IU of Vit D3 x the body weight is about what one needs. So I guesstamated the Vit D I got in food and subtracted that off the sum of the formula 35 IU x lbs. I made my own treatment plan and took the dose I had calculated for myself. I found a blog of people trying Vit D3 and got on it. I got better and better. On that blog one of the bloggers, Brien, shared that he found a site where a Dr Gominak talked about Vit D. I went on it and it was so enlightening to understand why it was working and it hit me that I had avoided the sun for 40 years and because I went to night college to work on my undergraduate and masters, I had developed a habit of going to bed late after working all day. Dr. G also states in her site that sleep is very important. Together with Vit D3, sleep really makes our body function at its best capacity. Together with Dr. G and the Vitamin D Council out of San Luis Obispo I've come to understand how crucial Vitamin D is to all of us of every age throughout the planet. The latitude we live in, our age, our skin color, our weight, and our life style have alot to do with how much Vit D we make on our skin. The heavier you are the more you need. And if you are not in the equator band, the sun rays just don't produce enough Vit D on the skin for a healthy life. There are many variables to deciding how much you need. I just took my last Vit D test in Feb 2012 and I only went up 1 (one) point in 3 months and because we have had an unusally nice winter I have sat out in the sun faithfully almost every day of winter for 20 minutes and it just is not enough to get the Vit D score to 65 (Dr Gominack wrote me personally and said that is the ideal human score for Vit D is 65 for best health; and she added not to ever let it get below a score of 50). So I've pulled out all the stops the last 3 days and have upped my Vit D3 dose to 8,000 IU and my throat has really begun to feel so good. I'm realizing that it is not so easy to get one's Vit D score to 65. I've written the Vit D Council, and several other Vit D scientists and they seem quite interested in hearing that it helped my LPR and asked to refer my story to scientist working in the field. They had never heard that it could improve this illness and will be looking into it. I am only a lay person, and I don't even know how to really do scientific research, but from all that I have read over the last 18 months, and how I feel I think the Vit D3 has strengthed every muscle in my body,which includes my UES/LES, thereby helping close off my stomach from vapor/gas/droplets of acid. My legs are stonger, my joints don't hurt me anymore (I feel normal now) and so many other small positive changes in my body I've noticed. Even my blood pressure is down. I use to take blood pressure medicine for high blood pressure of 148/92 or so for 6 years. The other day I went and had my blood pressure done and I'm at 129/81 and I am not on blood pressure medicines anymore. I haven't had a cold all winter and everyone around me has been sick. I read somewhere that one Vit D researcher doubles his usual dose of Vit D3 for 3 days when he feels he is getting sick as it's suppose to improve immune fuction. I think that our modern lifestyles keeps us inside alot, in front of TV and computers and we don't roam the forests like our species evolved doing. Even our babies don't get out in the sun enough. I've read that babies suffer horrible with LPR but Drs don't know what to do for them. Mothers are going through so much with sick children and I suspect it goes back to not enough Vit D. I think Vit D test should be a routine test given to every patient twice a year, once in the dead of winter and once at the end of summer. And from what Dr. Gominak has learned and has been so good to share her observations, Vit D and sleep are vital for a healthy life. As for the Vit B12, I've read that one wants to get it to a score of 800 and that the levels below that are inadequate. But I don't know that much about it. I do that that getting a B12 test is important. My B12 came out 612. I'm working to get it to 800 and I know the standards right now are 200. My sister is 420. I told her to get it up to 800 quick as she can. I have also read that Calcium/magnesium at a reasonable amount is important too. I try to take calcium of at least 1,000 and magnesiu of 400 but I'm not well versed on it and would recommend talking to your Dr and reading new emerging research on it. There is alot of controversy on recommended doses and what I read is that they are way too low. They are so low that they keep people on the verge of illness or in state of perpetual illness. I have my quality of life back and I hope this will help other people suffering to find something that will give them their life back. Let me know how it goes for you and your son. Best, EEW
Last edited by hb-mod; 08-13-2012 at 03:55 AM. | 13,701 | 6,108 | 0.000164 |
warc | 201704 | Cast your mind back to the time you first suspected you may have had bipolar. Chances are that the realization did not come out of the blue. If your experience is anything like mine, you probably weren’t exactly leading a charmed life to begin with, even if it looked that way from the outside. On the inside, you were probably barely holding it together, and this had been going on for years. In retrospect, something had to give.
Or, maybe you were different than the rest. All your life, you never fit in. You were marching to a different drummer. Maybe you thought that things would change the next year, that all your problems would go away with your next growth spurt. But, of course, that never happened. Looking back, you didn’t have a chance.
One of the first things I wrote soon after being diagnosed with bipolar at age 49 was an essay entitled, When I First Knew I Was Different. I published it on my website in late 2000 and recently used it in my book, “Raccoons Respect My Piss But Watch Out for Skunks.” The short version: I knew I was different from the others at the tender age of six.
By age 12, depressions were a fact of life. I wasn’t coping too well with my world, and things only seemed to get worse with each succeeding year. I went off to college, full of hope and promise, only to crash and burn. We never see it coming, of course.
But, crazy thing, I was also strangely gifted, imaginative bordering on psychic. On one hand, growing up, I desperately wanted to fit in. On the other, considering all the dullards abound me, why would I want to?
So, here we all are, with this diagnosis called bipolar. Only it didn’t just come out of nowhere. Our illness didn’t just interrupt our otherwise completely normal lives. Things had been brewing beneath the surface for years and years, probably for as long as we can remember. Basically, for most of our lives, well before it became official, we were bipolar waiting to happen.
There is a question in this:
Looking back, when was it clear that you were different, having problems coping, or strangely gifted?
Extra credit: Describe an early experience.
Comments below ....
Published On: June 17, 2012
Living With6 Chronic Condition Guidelines to Live By
Facing the challenges5 Rules for Bipolar Relationships | 2,329 | 1,251 | 0.000817 |
warc | 201704 | Help for Heroes doesn’t just support serving personnel, highlighted last month as the 200th veteran to stay at Tedworth House passed through its doors since opening in July 2011.
Veterans are individuals who have become wounded, injured or sick during their service in current conflicts, or have subsequently developed a service-attributable condition post-discharge, such as PTSD.
During their time at Help for Heroes run Recovery Centre, Tedworth House, veterans are able to meet with welfare support officers who can direct them to any support they may need. This can range from creating an opportunity for work experience with a partner charity, to booking them in for a hearing test, to finding the time for a listening ear with the psychological well-being team on-site.
Lee was one of the first residents at Tedworth House as a serving soldier and recently returned as a veteran, exemplifying Help for Heroes support for life pledge; “I came to the House through the Army, left and then came back as a veteran and got the same support as everyone else. You don’t realise how much you need help – but they are always there for a shoulder to lean on. Words cannot express how amazing the team at Tedworth are.”
There is no such thing as a typical week at Tedworth but each veteran receives a bespoke individual recovery plan and support during and after their stay. Veterans can also take advantage of the Rolling Recovery Programme by trying a range of sports and activities that may open doors to future employment opportunities or new interests.
Having been told he would never work again, veteran George Frost who suffers from PTSD enjoyed the arts and crafts classes so much during his time at Tedworth that he is hoping to have a workshop built in his garden to continue painting and creating clay models at home.
Other activities available for veterans to explore including rowing, gardening, drumming, song writing, yoga, fishing, woodland management activities and creative writing classes – to name a few! It takes courage to be open-minded enough to try the many activities on offer to see what best helps each individual with their recovery. For many, the activity they take to the most is the thing they were least expecting! Having been medically discharged after 33 years’ service in the RAF, veteran Barry Mills found the creative writing class particularly beneficial and now thoroughly enjoys writing poetry in his spare time.
Recovery Centre Manager Giles Woodhouse says; “We are delighted that Tedworth House is supporting so many veterans. It is vital that the facilities we offer are available to wounded, injured and sick personnel even after they are no longer serving with the military”.
If you are a veteran in need of help or support, or know someone who is, please contact the support hub at Tedworth House on 01980 844224. | 2,911 | 1,433 | 0.000711 |
warc | 201704 | In broad terms, LeftField offers two main types of services – market analysis of Canadian crop markets and economic research related to Canadian agriculture.
LeftField Commodity Research covers all Canadian crops in its analysis, but especially focuses on those crops that tend to get overlooked by the mainstream analysts. We particularly enjoy digging around in obscure places for data, news and information to see what (if any) relevance and value it has for marketers. LeftField has built a solid base of data and information about Canadian and global crops to support our clients.LeftField offers independent fundamental and technical analysis of Canadian special crop markets. For example, LeftField’s comprehensive special crops service package covers peas, lentils, chickpeas, dry beans (occasionally) flax, sunflowers, canaryseed and mustard. The weekly service provides:
Timely, ad hoc updates of important and relevant government reports from Canada and around the world. Clients receive these notices, which include our ideas about potential market impact. Feedback oppotunities for clients who wish to call or e-mail to ask questions, challenge the analysis, provide suggestions or simply bounce ideas around. Information and data access for clients who occasionally need a certain set of statistics or prices from our files.
For those clients that are looking for a slightly less comprehensive analysis focused on pulse crop markets, LeftField has added a new monthly information service. The new
Monthly Pulse Letter covers field peas, lentils, chickpeas and dry beans and includes: Canadian market developments Global market developments Market outlooks Global price indications Canadian supply & disposition tables for peas, lentils, chickpeas and dry beans
If you would like to sign up for either service, follow the links below to get details and enrolment forms. To get started, fax or e-mail the form back to us. Or if you have any questions, please e-mail us at .or
We don't just cover special crops; canola markets are analyzed daily and other markets are monitored closely.In our view, good market analysis:
Is action-oriented. It doesn’t just recite numbers, but makes actual conclusions and recommendations; Is easy to read in plain language and doesn’t rely on jargon. Well-written analysis gets the point across concisely and clearly; Doesn’t just repeat what others say, but conducts original studies of the particular topic. It isn’t just a round-up of what happened in the market but uncovers the underlying factors; Doesn’t pretend to be clairvoyant, but understands that the market can turn on a dime. It makes the most of current information but recognizes its limitations; Relies on extensive sets of data and uses solid analytical techniques that look at the market from a number of perspectives.
The economic research provided by LeftField includes consulting work such as:
tailored market studies, including market reviews and impact analysis reviews and due diligence of business plans for investors and lenders pre-feasibility studies for agricultural businesses market presentations related to agricultural markets and marketing articles for publications or web sites | 3,254 | 1,534 | 0.000661 |
warc | 201704 | Research by Aon Hewitt revealed that over half of CHROs are not career HR professionals, with a third having no background in the field prior to taking on the top job.
“CHROs have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a firm, and they are expected to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk-taking and evolving expectations from top stakeholders,” said Neil Shastri, Aon Hewittt’s leader of global insights & innovation.
The study also found that 73 per cent of HR board members had changed industry at least once in their career.
“Those well-equipped to achieve the greatest success will have diverse skill sets, be adaptable and agile, and gain hands-on learning from working through real life situations and acquiring knowledge across disciplines and industries,” Shastri continued.
Two thirds of CHRO respondents said they’d had prior board experience while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) took an assignment outside of HR to develop their business and commercial knowledge.
The report also examined the skills CHROs deemed most critical to success in the role.
84 per cent highlighted executive compensation experience as a key requirement.
67 per cent had worked and lived abroad, and/or led global teams and initiatives.
65 per cent indicated business knowledge as a key competency but it was also among the skills for which CHROs felt least prepared.
More like this:
Blockbuster film takes on HR issue
Satisfied employees still pose major flight risk
HR professionals looking to take on the top job may have a fight on their hands as a recent survey indicated industry outsiders are most likely to bag the coveted C-suite spot. | 1,797 | 962 | 0.001066 |
warc | 201704 | Read More:Female Labor Force Participation, Economic Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Women Entrepreneurs, Women’S Education, Leadership, Women Leadership, Female Founders, Blog, Canada-Whats-Working, Canada Business News
Back in the 1970s, there were few positive female role models as business leaders. We live in an information age, we need leaders who are great communicators, understand the need for team work, and can bring a nurturing spirit to the workplace. Women are naturally effective in these areas. Although women have not yet achieved quite the salary equity of men, nor rule the majority of Fortune 500 companies, this is all changing as women step into their natural leadership capacities. Good leadership does not require a particular gender, but an individual who has developed good character, integrity and wisdom.
The talent headhunting phenomenon began informally with well-connected former industry executives with big rolodexes and great contacts. In those days, searches were simple: You needed someone and headhunters put calls out and found someone. Today, an effective search is much more sophisticated, yet myths continue to dominate.
As I continue to hone my public speaking skills, my speaker coach recently asked me a simple question: who do you consider the greatest orators? I rattled off a number of them, such as the obvious J.F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King. Then I realized my list comprised entirely of men. So, I had to do more digging. | 1,505 | 853 | 0.00118 |
warc | 201704 | This week I learnt that several of the big US brands in the UK that I use every day are having their cake and eating it. Apple, Google, MacDonalds, Amazon have a combined turnover between 2008 and 2011 of £116.4bn. They declared total profits before tax of £5bn - and paid taxes of £1.5bn. Incredible.
At the same time Deudil have reported many of the famous names have declared losses: Starbucks says it lost £32m in 2011, Google lost £20.7m and Facebook lost £13.9m.
We have not looked into other non-US members of this corporate club but some in the city tell me the problem is the same. We know about Boots, Vodafone and other British brands are up to these tricks we just don't know the details of the rest. These practices are no good for the economy, the recovery and they trash the brands of the companies involved.
This form of predatory capitalism is Romney economics at its premium. It is the toxic short termism of asset stripping, offshoring, weak wages and minimum tax paying for corporations. In many ways is it scorpion economics and the capitalists who pursue this methodology will in the end stinging and eat themselves. It is simply unsustainable. The question is will our political classes take any action at all?
Some might say what is actually wrong? No laws have been broken these companies have simply played the tax code to the max. Who are they trying to fool? These practices screw the business prospects, innovation and growth for the Adam Smith small and medium companies who drive the UK economy. (I shouldn't be writing this article - where are the Federation of Small Business, the CBI or the Institute of Directors who say they fight for our interests !)
In my new political incarceration as a 'striver' I am angry. I got out of bed this morning knowing that there is nothing that my company, the people I work with or many of our clients can do. I feel stupid in the knowledge that the decks are stacked against us, we are not on a level playing field and their is nothing we can do.
Last year millions of small businesses in the UK were hit with the changes in VAT where we had to rush to pay the HM Treasury VAT upfront. This put huge pressure on millions of businesses who were stopped from employing new staff as the focus was on trying to keep the cash flow going and staying in business.
This move was easy for the HM Treasury - they know where we are - we can't afford tax accountants or off-shore parts of our operation to take advantage of a leaking tax system. While all this is going on we are trying to find ways to give people the chance of apprenticeships and creating internships for others.
The situation is simple. If we have a system of commerce where the majority of enterprises are being bled by the taxman and are unable to increase salaries then the employees don't have the money to buy the burgers, the iPhones, the coffee and whatever else. The system stops house holds cut back we just spend on the necessities and shop in Lidl.
So what is the response of the political classes who must consider their response to the public outcry? We know the traditional establishment has been rocked by scandals, corporate malfeasance and failures of the police and judicial system. The public has lost faith in them and no longer trust their judgement. This latest round of corporate undermines undermines and blows a hole through the pithy statements of "we are all in this together', "One nation" slogans we have heard over the last few weeks.
The public and the electorate are not fools and we see through all this nonsense and the Westminster sound bite. We cling to some romantic belief that we elect our politicians to bat for us, our jobs, our families and our futures. The political classes can not on the one hand tell us we must attack welfare dependency, tax credits of the middle classes while they allow the corporate welfare bill balloon to make our economy uncompetitive. The two stories simply do not tally. We are not on a level playing field.
Its hard to see politicians in the Ayn Rand 'free enterprise', britannia unchained cabal on the right having any substantial response. They favour business over the state and profit over people. However there is a serious opportunity for the centre left to make a renewed attempt to tackle this attack on business and innovation. Some of us do think there is a role for the state in society and everything is not for sale or can be outsourced. Although many of us don't like it taxation is needed for our schools, hospitals, infrastructure and the operations of the state. The well is empty. The burden can not be allowed fall on those who are already shelling out.
We have seen corporations mask there tax misdemeanours by hiding behind the tax laws and with pointing to their CSR programs and the number of people they employ. Many companies have genuine people committed to social innovation on one side of the company they have the bean counters on the other side ripping off that same society. This does not make everything alright as it is completely imbalanced.
Any decent company delivers CSR and social innovation because they are part of the community. They pay a fair level of tax because that is what the rest of us as individuals do. They pay their tax because they want to see their customers and employees and the country the do business in succeed. | 5,421 | 2,646 | 0.000381 |
warc | 201704 | Issues Blog Library Events Media About Donate
Posted August 15, 2013 by Andrew Ranallo
As two of the largest free trade agreements (TTIP and TPP) in history are being negotiated, free trade agreements like these will become more entrenched in our lives than ever before. Unfortunately, the tangle of rules and regulations—mostly design to keep intact and strengthen corporate interests—can create serious roadblocks for real, earnest work to improve sustainability on the national, state and even local levels. Yes, as local governments work to build policy that includes sustainability standards, they may be on the wrong side of international trade law.
A new IATP report,
Sustainability Criteria, Biofuel Policy and Trade Rules makes very clear that if we hope to change policy in any arena—pushing for lower GHG emissions, reducing pollution, producing cleaner energy, or enabling local sourcing—understanding international trade law is an absolutely required first step.
Report author and trade lawyer Eric Gillman uses the state of biofuels policy as a backdrop—including real examples of current biofuel sustainability efforts—to set the stage for examining the larger implications of WTO trade law on all sorts of policy development:
If we are to construct the type of policies needed to address the multiple environmental, social and economic crises that we face, understanding how these policies interact with international trade rules is absolutely required. This paper is a first attempt—within the context of biofuel policy—to raise some of these questions and address necessary changes.
Download IATP’s new report,
Sustainability Criteria, Biofuel Policy and Trade Rules. | 1,744 | 904 | 0.001146 |
warc | 201704 | We now live in an age where technology and the internet are rapidly being integrated into our daily lives. With the dawn of the “internet of things” and the proliferation of smart watches, tablets, not to mention the ubiquitous smartphone, it seems hard to imagine a time when our devices existed in isolation without the internet capabilities that we have all become accustomed to today.
This also means that people are interacting with the web in ways that we have never seen before. While desktop use is still the norm, mobile searches now account for roughly 30% of all web traffic, which makes sense considering that there are now more smartphones and mobile devices out there than PCs.
Google has taken notice of this trend and started to roll out a new algorithm on April 21st which takes into account mobile signals from webpages when creating a results page as well as indexes applications for relevant content. And while mobile ranking continues to utilize certain desktop signals (such as page speed) to create rankings, we can expect for there to be continual movement towards the integration of mobile search with the desktop experience.
The question that has yet to be answered in light of these changes is what the impact on SEO will be. Currently we can only speculate as to how the mobile update will tangibly affect results pages. However, this shift towards mobile certainly indicates that the search industry is about to undergo a major changes in response to evolving user trends. And SEOs must change right along with it.
The Customer is Always Right
There was a brief time, in the late 2000s, when Google was able to dictate what qualifies as a quality website through their control of the search market and punitive updates for those sites who violated their webmaster guidelines. This was during the era where “content is king” was still a fresh idea, and SEO existed almost in a vacuum of keywords, links and site architecture hoping to capitalize on the copy produced in some back room.
What we find now is that user experience is becoming the maxim by which search engines are judging websites. This means that simply producing great content and a sleek site are not the only keys to success. Not to say that you shouldn’t have those things–in fact, if you do not have those things you should probably get on that.
The reality is that engines like Google are getting better, much better, at discerning and adjusting for user intent in their results pages in an attempt to improve their own onsite experience. Furthermore, with features like the Knowledge Graph and the “answer box”, they are finding new and inventive ways to address long tail search terms and ultimately provide the information that people are looking for on-demand.
Google has also begun indexing social media for search signals. While the extent of this practice is not fully understood, we do know that Twitter is being indexed. This development is not wholly a surprise, as many SEOs have been expecting social signals to become an increasingly important ranking factor.
All of this goes to show that the traditional ranking formula (content + links = high ranking) may become less important as search continues to grow and look elsewhere for ranking factors. The emphasis on a user’s intention and experience of the internet as the means of creating accurate search engine results pages calls for a new understanding of internet marketing.
The changes emphasize that social, content and SEO can not be done in a vacuum. Rather, these different approaches of generating traffic must be performed in concert with one another to maximize their individual potential. Itis truly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its part.
Internet on the Move
Another user trend that is affecting SEO practices is the shift towards mobile search. This is another place where user experience is radically changing the way that we go about the internet marketing process as a result of user experience. Think about all the time that has been spent creating these megalithic sites with widgets and java scripts and pictures and popup chats and…the list goes on. Furthermore, think about how much time it takes to optimize these sites for search.
Now try loading one of those sites on your cell phone. Odds are you run into a few problems trying to navigate your way to the cookie recipe you were looking for. Since mobile searches are on the rise, mobile optimization is becoming an integral part of any technical SEO strategy. And with the introduction of Google’s mobile update later this month, creating mobile responsive pages with a short load time has almost been mandated.
An interesting change that I have seen in the wake of mobile search is that content is becoming streamlined. I’m not sure if this is the result of people seeking to imitate Google’s Knowledge Graph or simply an anticipation of the mobile user’s experience, but content is being trimmed down–Hemingway would be happy.
It is funny to think back to my days in college. I remember searching for JSTOR articles on my way to class, straining to read the small cascading text before regurgitating it to a professor. While having the ability to do this was great, the experience was not.
Now more than ever it is necessary to create content with mobile in mind. This means writing pieces that serve as answers to possible long-tail searches as well as addressing local queries since these represent a growing number of mobile searches. People who search for answers want just that, as opposed to a list of possible sites to research further.
Making the Change
This gradual emphasis on mobile search bolsters the idea that content is the basis for good performance in results pages. While there are certain things that every webmaster may be able to do to optimize their site (creating mobile responsive pages, decreasing load time), the reality is that people now more than ever know what they are looking for and know when they have found it. As SEOs, we must mind this fact as we continue to develop pages and content that seeks to help the user access that information without creating unnecessary obstacles. | 6,271 | 2,877 | 0.000353 |
warc | 201704 | Who is the fattest cat in the world? Well, for those of you who answered Garfield, you're right. However, we're not talking about the cartoon character.
Garfield, a cat from New York, weighs nearly 40lbs and has been dubbed the fattest cat in the world, comfortably squeezing Sponge Bob, who weighed a trim, relatively, 33lbs.
The overweight puss was adopted by the Port Washington-based animal welfare shelter North Shore Animal League America - the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organisation, after his owner died. The organisation, which released photographs of Garfield on its official Facebook page, said Garfield was as lazy as his cartoon namesake.
"At nearly 40 pounds, Garfield just might just be the fattest cat on the planet, and he's becoming a media sensation, much like the comic character whose name he bears," the adoption organisation said in a statement. They did, however, add that the animal's size was definitely not something to be admired. According to veterinarians, an overweight animal can face severe health problems.
"Just like with humans, too much weight can cause serious health problems. It leads to diabetes, heart disease, joint, bone and ligament damage, high blood pressure, intolerance to heat and more," Mark Verdino, Vice President and Chief of Veterinary Staff at North Shore Animal League America, said.
The organisation is trying to help Garfield shed those extra pounds before they can find him a new owner, as his weight puts undue strain on his hips and makes it difficult for him to walk.
Garfield has been put on a low-calorie diet and is under extensive care. However, the organisation admitted Garfield had endeared himself to everyone around.
"When Garfield was brought to North Shore Animal League America on May 31, 2012, the entire staff was immediately smitten with the tubby tabby. He warmed up to his caretakers immediately, rolling over for long belly rubs. His sweet disposition and imposing size endeared him to everyone who met the larger-than-life feline, whose owner had recently passed away," the statement added.
Start the slideshow to view pictures of Garfield... | 2,165 | 1,103 | 0.000913 |
warc | 201704 | I need this done no later than Saturday 21 Nov
Your completed Project 2 Part B, should total approximately 8 pages, double-spaced, roughly 2000 words.
For Part B, your essay should be addressing the questions/points below:
Do we see an overall warming of the environment? Some theorists envisioned that we would see a more pronounced warming of minimum temperatures than maximum temperatures. This might result in a reduced range of temperatures. What trends does the data show? Many theories that look at global warming envisage more drought and less surplus water conditions for inland or continental locations. Therefore, we might see some trends in precipitation amounts and the frequency of certain amounts of precipitation. What do the trends show? In reference to actual evapotranspiration, surplus/deficit conditions and runoff/streamflow, what might we expect with a warming climate? Are there clear-cut answers in the trends that we see? What does that tell us about researching environmental issues like global warming? Are there other types of data or information that we need to look at to make a worthwhile analysis? If so, what would they be? What are the implications of the results of this study? Can you link any of the climate trends to human agency? If the trends continue in their current direction, what are the potential implications for people living in the Wabash Watershed?
In short, we are looking at a specific geographic area, the Wabash Watershed. We are looking at a specific time period, 1961-1990, utilizing raw, 5-year average, and 10-year average data, with respect to temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, moisture surplus, moisture deficit, and surface runoff. What does this data tell about this region over this time period, and what does it indicate about the future? Does this tell us anything, positively or negatively about global warming theory?
These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself as you analyze and report on this data and tell us what it all means. Good Luck!
This project is to be submitted using the drop box located in this module before the close of Module 6. Be sure to submit your project in one Word file and document your sources using APA format | 2,244 | 1,112 | 0.000902 |
warc | 201704 | Procedures Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Gynecomastia, or excess development of breast tissue, occurs in as many as 40 to 60 percent of men. The cause is not always known, but the incidence increases with certain drugs (digitalis, anabolic steroids, Tagamet, and spironolactone), use of marijuana or alcohol, and obesity. This condition can cause extreme embarrassment, social inhibition, and self-consciousness for boys and men who suffer from it.
If you think that you have this condition, you should consult with your physician to rule out a more serious condition such as liver or endocrine disease. If you are otherwise healthy, breast reduction surgery may significantly help your appearance and self-image. This procedure is used to remove fat and/or glandular tissue from the breasts. In extreme cases, skin is removed as well. The result is a flatter, firmer and more masculine-looking chest.
If you're considering male breast reduction or gynecomastia, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
*The 2010 national average cost for Male Breast Reduction was $3,377.
*Male Breast Reduction affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of the male population. It may affect only one breast or both.
Breast Reduction also known as Gynecomastia is a procedure with permanent results.
What some of the most common benefits of gynecomastia? How is gynecomastia surgery done? How long does the surgery take? Do I have to stay in the hospital? How much pain is there? What can I expect after gynecomastia? What is the recovery period like? What is the long-term outcome like for most people? How long do the results last? Ideal candidate: Alternatives: Risks:
What some of the most common benefits of gynecomastia surgery?
Male breast reduction, or gynecomastia, can improve the appearance of the chest in cases where diet and exercise have failed. The results of the procedure are significant and permanent. Most men who have had surgery for gynecomastia have been very satisfied with the results.
How is male breast reduction surgery done?
The type of procedure used by your surgeon will depend on the degree of breast enlargement. The options include removal of the tissue under the breast, or liposuction of the chest wall. In both instances, a small elliptical incision is made on the lower half of the nipple area (areola). For those men with tissue that is more glandular in nature, all breast tissue directly under the nipple is removed.
If the tissue is more fatty in nature, liposuction can provide excellent results. In some people, ultrasonic assisted liposuction is an excellent approach. During liposuction, a small suction rod (cannula) is inserted into the incision to remove fat and other tissue.
In some cases, a repeat procedure is necessary to remove tissue that was missed during the first procedure. In a few cases, if there is a large amount of extra skin, it may be necessary to remove this tissue, which may result in a large scar.
How long does the surgery take?
Generally, the procedure usually takes one and a half to two hours.
Do I have to stay in the hospital?
This procedure can be done in the hospital or in an office surgical suite, depending on your preferences as well as your surgeon's. Many breast reductions are performed under local anesthesia (like that used by dentists) combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and although you may feel some tugging and mild discomfort, you won't feel any pain. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the entire operation. The longer the procedure is expected to take, the more likely that general anesthesia will be recommended. You may be allowed to return home within a few hours of the surgery, and spend the night in the comfort of your own home, or it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital so your recovery process can be monitored by a medical staff.
How much pain is there?
Depending on the extent of surgery, pain can vary from minimal to moderate, and will last from several days to two weeks.
What can I expect after gynecomastia surgery?
Usually, the chest is temporarily swollen and bruised after the surgery. You may also experience numbness or a burning sensation. You will probably be given a compression garment to wear for several weeks after the surgery.
If you have severe pain or discharge in the surgical area, or if you experience muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling with fever, nausea, or vomiting, you should call your doctor immediately.
What is the recovery period like?
Light activities can be resumed within a few days, although your chest will be sore. Most people are able to return to (sedentary) work within three to seven days, and resume more strenuous activities in two to three weeks. You should avoid exposing the operated area to the sun for at least six months to prevent permanently altering the skin pigmentation.
Routine physical activity and exercising (especially lifting, pulling and pushing motions) should be avoided for at least six weeks. This will help the scars to heal. Your doctor will advise you on the level of physical activity that is appropriate for you. Some degree of swelling and bruising may last for three to six months.
Recovery time and privacy needs varies from person to person. If you are not too concerned if people are aware that you have recently had surgery, you may be able to return to light activities earlier.
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
Liposuction permanently removes the excess fat, which provides patients with long-lasting results. So long as patients adopt a healthy lifestyle, there should not be a reoccurance of gynecomastia. After healing, most men are very happy with the results.
How long do the results last?
The improvement from this procedure is permanent, but weight gain or use of certain drugs could result in recurrence.
Ideal candidate:
In general, the best candidates for breast reduction are:
Mature enough to fully understand the procedure Experiencing embarrassment and/or social inhibition due to breast enlargement Knowledgeable about the procedure Having good skin elasticity In good physical and psychological health Wanting to improve their appearance and/or comfort Realistic in their expectations Willing to attempt diet and exercise as first options Non-smokers or able to stop smoking during the healing process Not using marijuana or anabolic steroids Not heavy user of alcohol
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for this surgery.
Alternatives:
In teenagers, it is best to wait for at least one year to see if the condition resolves spontaneously.
In all candidates, discontinuing alcohol, marijuana or anabolic steroids may resolve the problem without surgery.
Overweight men may find that losing weight will reduce breast fullness.
Male Breast Reduction Risks:
All surgery has some potential risks, including the risks of bleeding, reaction to the anesthetic, and infection. In this surgery, serious complications are quite rare. Other risks include:
Excessive fluid loss, leading to shock Injury to the skin Rippling of the skin Excessive scarring Pigmentation changes Altered sensation Insufficient tissue removed Like all body contouring surgery, it is possible that either too much or too little tissue can be removed. In these cases, a second procedure may be necessary.
The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation. *Disclaimer: Source: According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), nationally in 2010. Most surgeons offer convenient payments plans for this procedure. Cost does not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay, and other related expenses. Costs may also vary depending on location. Cost does not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay, and other related expenses. Costs may vary depending the extensiveness of the procedure, location, and other factors. Costs are provided solely for research purposes. For specific estimates, please contact a qualified plastic surgeon. | 8,875 | 3,747 | 0.000268 |
warc | 201704 | This article discusses media coverage of an epidemic and how misleading it can be, particularly in the case of cholera in Haiti. People expected the cholera epidemic to result from the 2010 earthquake, even though disasters actually don’t result in epidemics most of the time, and many other misconceptions also spread quickly along with the bacterium. These misconceptions often lead to more deaths than necessary. Ultimately, the spread of accurate information will help control epidemics like this both before and after they spread. Part of the article is below. Click HERE for the full version. First Days of the Epidemic Jonathan Katz, Beacon Reader August 11, 2014 For many fixated on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, or its faint echoes in the United States, the ready parallels have been from horror movies (especially thezombie apocalypse Americans like to joke, perhaps a little too […]
After years of avoiding questions and denying responsibility for bringing cholera to Haiti, Assistant UN Secretary General Medrano finally comes close to admitting UN responsiblity in an interview with Jonathan Katz. Medrano also gives more information on the failing-thus-far cholera elimination plan proposed by the UN. UN Cholera Envoy: ‘It was never the intention … to bring cholera in Haiti’ Jonathan M. Katz, Beacon Reader February 19, 2014 OVERVIEW Three years after scientists say United Nations soldiers brought a killer strain of cholera to the Western Hemisphere, the UN’s new point man on the crisis answers questions about legal battles, recalcitrant donors, and fighting an epidemic that has killed 9,000 people and counting. When it comes to granting interviews about the world’s worst ongoing cholera epidemic, the UN is in a tough spot. On one hand, desperate for funds, the organization […] | 1,850 | 1,022 | 0.001002 |
warc | 201704 | ANALYSIS
You've been told it was the internet, that it was the economy, it was high wages, the government, the consumer, that it was the strong Australian dollar or maybe the weak Australian dollar.
It was anything but second-rate management and dull boards that were responsible for Australian retail's poor performance - yet it turns out it was poor management all along.
As South Africa's Woolworths joins the push of international shopkeepers into the Australian market with its David Jones takeover bid, it's another indication of outsiders seeing value and opportunity that the locals had missed.
Marked down
Most obviously in fashion, a wave of luxury brands have set up shop and pushed DJs down to mid-market status. Zara and now H&M are raking the money in with fast fashion – in Zara's case, at a better margin than it achieves internationally. And more foreigners are on the way, seeing this market with fresh eyes.
And it's not just fashion. The two big retail turnaround success stories here have been thanks to outsiders. Wesfarmers had to bring in the Brits to fix Coles and someone with no retail experience – MacDonalds' Guy Russo – to save Kmart.
And Wesfarmers itself wasn't exactly an Australian retailer beyond its hardware operation.
There are exceptions – Australia's Woolworths has grown its own – but broadly speaking, it's the outsiders who have been making the most of their opportunities while the more prominent local whingers try to blame somebody, anybody else.
New normal
Yes, overall retail sales numbers were down for a while from the boom-time levels local retailers had mistakenly thought were normal.
Yes, the internet has changed the game, more because of the information it provides for consumers than through the ability to buy directly overseas.
And Australian retail wages are relatively high by international standards, though generally not high by our own standards.
These are all givens, the ground conditions for all players.
It's been up to management to make the best of those conditions and succeed – a task that's been beyond some of them.
It's been up to their boards to have an eye to the future, to see and enforce the need for change and renewal, instead of hoping to just keep doing what they had always done, traipsing along a season behind overseas leaders, a decade behind the leading edge of retailing.
Lower prices
It's a sad reflection of the fate of David Jones, Australia's oldest department store, trading since 1838, that the board now welcomes a takeover offer of $4 a share – what the place was worth three years ago.
It's sadder that, since it was re-floated out of the Adsteam wreckage in 1994, it's lacked boards with much in the way of retail vision.
I have some sympathy for the current management.
Paul Zahra is taking over a company that had drastically underinvested in its future, concentrating on immediate profits using a dying formula while persevering with a steam-powered point of sale system.
That can happen when the board lacks retail experience, as was the David Jones case. That the board could then be capable of amateur hour governance standards is merely an indication of a longer-lasting malaise.
In my opinion, Zahra's (and Myers') online plan still looks like a cut-and-paste job from Nordstrom's annual report and has poor prospects, but they have been trying.
South Africa's Woolworths will have to try harder, but if the takeover succeeds, DJs will have removed the uncertainty created by its boardroom failures and secured a focussed parent with broader retailing experience and ambition than just South Africa.
The South Africans' move comes at an interesting time when the Australian consumer has indeed stirred with overall retail sales for the past six months again bubbling incredibly strongly – but while the department store sector of our retail environment still lags, losing market share and recording lower revenue than it did two years ago.
Michael Pascoe is a BusinessDay contributing editor.
South African retail giant Woolworths Holdings will use its acquisition of David Jones to create the second largest department store in the southern hemisphere and one of the biggest retailers in the world.
Woolworths chief executive Ian Moir said this afternoon he believed he could add at least $130 million per annum to David Jones bottom line within five years.
He said he believed there was a strong future for department stores in Australia.
''The department store isn't dead, mediocrity is dead, poor retail is dead, but what is alive is a great department store that can give a great product range, great service, product that is on trend fashionable, great value and experience in stores that you love and that engages you online as well.''
Woolworths has lobbed an offer of $4 per share which has been unanimously accepted by the David Jones board, valuing it at $2.1 billion.
Brand heritage
The South African business understood and respected David Jones' historic Australian roots and its heritage would be protected by the new owners, he said.
''Don't be despondent,'' Mr Moir said this afternoon.
'We are not taking David Jones anywhere, we have just paid $2.1 billion for it and we love it to death.
''So we will be looking after it like it's our own, we will be caring for it just as we cared for the Country Road brand, also a proud Australian business that we have had for 15 years now
''We understand brands, we get brands," he said.
"Woolies [South Africa] is an iconic, well-loved and historic retail brand in South Africa. We understand what that means and what that means to our customers. The David Jones customer will not be disappointed with what we do and we will always have their interest at heart."
Lifting the bottom line
Mr Moir said he believed Woolworths could add $130 million per year to David Jones bottom line, a vast improvement on the full-year net profit of $95 million the upmarket department store recorded for fiscal 2013.
His plan for achieving this includes ramping up the proportion and quality of private label apparel in the stores, a better product mix, an improved customer relationship program that anticipates shopper behaviour as well as better service from in-store staff.
The penetration of private label sales in David Jones will jump from their current "tiny" level of around 3 per cent to more than 20 per cent, Mr Moir said.
He is also aiming to generate a greater proportion of sales via the retailer's online presence, aiming for online to make up 10 per cent of sales.
Mr Moir previously ran clothing retailer Country Road in Australia on behalf of Woolworths, which controls the chain.
''This is a natural progression of what we have been doing," Mr Moir said.
"We have got Country Road, we've had Witchery and mimco and we are adding David Jones again because we want to be one of the biggest retailers in the southern hemisphere.''
Thinking big
Mr Moir said combining all of Woolworths' businesses, including David Jones, it would make the group the second largest department store in the southern hemisphere and one of the top 10 department stores in the world.
David Jones private label penetration would be increased through Woolworths' existing private label portfolio and supply chain, with margins also set to improve.
The Woolworths private label business was 25 times the size of David Jones, he said.
A customer relationship management system would be bolted on to David Jones to help better track and anticipate shopper behaviour and tastes.
Mr Moir said currently Woolworths could track more than 70 per cent of sales through its customer cards and internal programs, with the level more than 85 per cent at Country Road. He wanted David Jones to match that.
smh.com.au, Eli Greenblat | 7,863 | 3,471 | 0.000292 |
warc | 201704 | Opening Remarks by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Given at the 10th Jacques Polak Annual Research Conference
November 5, 2009Washington, D.C., November 5-6, 2009
As Prepared for Delivery Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to welcome you to the IMF’s Jacques Polak Annual Research Conference. Since it was first launched, the Annual Research Conference has become one of the major international forums for researchers and policymakers to exchange their views about issues related to the global economy. We, at the IMF, do our best every year to put together the strongest conference program possible, but, it is ultimately the contributions of presenters, discussants, and participants that make our research conferences successful. This year’s event is a special one as we are celebrating the 10 th anniversary of the conference with an outstanding program of papers. Besides the 10 th anniversary of the conference, we can also have some joy in the achievements of economic policies employed over the past year. Many predicted doom and gloom for the global economy just a year ago. Thanks to timely and effective policy interventions at the global level, the worst was avoided. We cannot deny that there will be long-term difficulties associated with the unprecedented policy measures adopted, but the alternative would have been worse. Surely, we have numerous policy challenges ahead of us, and we need to put the best economic minds to work to help us think through these highly complex problems. Spirited debates, triggered by the financial crisis, have emerged among economists about of the state of macroeconomic research over the past year. It is natural that we engage in this healthy debate as we search for the best solutions to overcome the multitude of difficulties stemming from the crisis. As with previous crises episodes, there are lessons to be learned. So, what have we learned this time around? One can come up with a number of answers to this question. However, it is fair to say that, one of the most important lessons we painfully learned is that we need to have a much better understanding of macro-financial linkages. Macro-financial linkages are at the heart of the two-way interactions between the real economy and the financial system. Vulnerabilities stemming from the financial sector can amplify macroeconomic shocks, while weaknesses in the real economy can undermine the stability of the financial sector. Macro-financial linkages, in turn, can complicate and reduce the effectiveness of traditional monetary, fiscal, and regulatory policies. The crisis showed, once again, how sharp fluctuations in asset prices, rapid growth of credit, and surges in capital flows can have profound effects on the real economy. As we have witnessed over the past two years, such developments, in turn, can bring the global financial system to the brink of collapse and lead the world economy into a deep and prolonged recession. I am happy to see that the conference program provides an excellent sample of the innovative research analyzing macro-financial linkages. There is much to be learned from the papers being presented at this conference. As I was going over the conference program, I kept thinking about the decisions made by our 186 member countries at the latest IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Istanbul. These “Istanbul Decisions” will guide our work program as we help our membership to shape the post-crisis global financial system. I see three broad themes where the conference program relates to the Istanbul Decisions. The first theme I see in the program is the need to have a better grasp of the critical role the financial sector plays in shaping macroeconomic outcomes. A number of conference papers show how deteriorating balance sheets can rapidly result in difficulties in the real economy and force governments to undertake radical policy measures, as we have vividly seen during the latest crisis. As you know, the IMF has been extensively studying the implications of balance-sheet adjustment for the real economy in the context of our broader research program on macro-financial linkages. One of the decisions made in Istanbul was to undertake a review of the IMF’s mandate so it encompasses the whole range of macroeconomic and financial sector policies that affect the health of the global economy. During this review process, we will utilize the results of recent research on macro-financial linkages in order to help our membership devise policies that promote global financial stability and economic growth. The second theme to be discussed at the conference is the importance of understanding how a financial crisis can spread globally. Although financial flows can deliver many long-term economic benefits, they can also create important challenges for policymakers. For example, they have the potential to generate over-heating, loss of competitiveness, and increased vulnerability to crisis. During the latest crisis, financial flows served as a channel transmitting the financial turmoil from advanced countries to the shores of emerging markets. We cannot overemphasize the importance of employing sound policies at both national and global levels in order to meet the challenges stemming from financial flows while enjoying their growth benefits. The IMF has been acutely aware of these challenges, and, since the beginning of the crisis, it has played a critical role supporting the coordination of global policies. Going forward, this coordination at the global level will require some new mechanisms. In response to the calls from our membership at the Istanbul Meetings, the IMF will help the Group of Twenty countries with their mutual assessment of economic and financial policies. In particular, our objective is to develop a forward-looking analysis of whether policies are collectively consistent with more sustainable and balanced trajectories for the global economy. This represents a brand new role for the Fund requiring us to improve the intensity and effectiveness of our multilateral surveillance functions. Finally, let me talk about the third theme of the conference that is the prevention of and responses to crises in a highly integrated global economy. The paper prepared for the Mundell-Fleming lecture draws an illuminating analogy between a sudden cardiac arrest and a financial crisis. The paper then derives some thought provoking policy implications making a case for the importance of financial regulation and systemic insurance arrangements in preventing future crises. The Fund has been working very hard to develop policies to both mitigate the adverse effects of financial crises and to prevent future ones. Of course, one of the important lessons of the latest episode is that the global economy needs much better policies of financial regulation and supervision. We also need insurance and funding arrangements in place to provide rapid relief to those countries affected by the crisis. These observations are very much in the spirit of another Istanbul Decision calling for the IMF to enhance its lending and reserve facilities to be better equipped to avoid crises and respond to them when they arise. In particular, we will assess in the coming months how to build on the success of the Flexible Credit Line facility and provide insurance to countries in need as the global lender of last resort. Research is one of the most critical activities we undertake in the Fund. It fuels our creativity and helps us to stay ahead of the curve. As we have done in the past, we will continue utilizing the results of cutting edge research in order to carry forward the momentum of the Fund’s recent successes and deliver on its new responsibilities. This year’s conference is an exciting opportunity to enhance our understanding of topical issues with the help of frontier research papers. So, let me conclude with saying that I am very pleased to see you all here, and I am sure you will have very productive discussions over the next two days. | 8,128 | 3,479 | 0.000289 |
warc | 201704 | The House of Lords unanimously dismissed an appeal by the appellant plaintiffs, the present owners of Walford Cottage, from the Court of Appeal's dismissal of the plaintiffs' action against the defendant, the executrix of the last owner of Walford House.
In 1960 Walford House and Walford Cottage ceased to be in common ownership when Walford Cottage was sold. The owner of Walford House covenanted to maintain in wind and watertight condition the roof of Walford House, which also covered Walford Cottage, and the owner of Walford Cottage was conferred the right to sue for breach of the covenant. Since 1960 both properties had been sold. The trial judge ordered the owner of Walford House to pay damages to the plaintiffs for breach of the covenant. The Court of Appeal reversed the decision.
James Munby QC, and John Virgo (Gregory Rowcliffe & Milners for Pardoes, Bridgwater) for the plaintiffs; David Spens (Alletsons, Bridgwater) for the defendant.
LORD TEMPLEMAN said that, on the true construction of the 1960 conveyance, the owner of Walford House was in breach of the covenant to repair. At common law a person could not be made liable on a contract unless he was a party to it. The rigours of the common law, which did not allow covenants to be enforced by and against successors in title, had been relaxed by the doctrines in Spencer's case (1583) 5 Co Rep 16a and then by statutory extensions. As between persons interested in land other than as landlord and tenant, the benefit of a covenant might run with the land at law but not the burden: see Austerberry v Oldham Corpn (1885) 29 ChD 750). Thus the conveyance did not confer on the owner, for the time being, of Walford Cottage the right at common law to compel the owner, for the time being, of Walford House to repair the roof or to obtain damages for breach of the covenant.
Equity supplemented but did not contradict the common law. A conveyance might impose restrictions which deprived the purchaser of some of the rights inherent in the ownership of unrestricted land. Equity did not contradict the common law by enforcing a restrictive covenant against a successor in title of the covenantor but prevented the successor from exercising a right which he never acquired: Tulk v Moxhay (1848) 2 Ph 774.
Equity could thus prevent or punish the breach of a negative covenant which restricted the user of land or the exercise of other rights in connection with land. Restrictive covenants deprived an owner of a right which he could otherwise exercise. Equity could not compel an owner to comply with a positive covenant entered into by his predecessors in title without flatly contradicting the common law rule that a person could not be made liable on a contract unless he was a party to it.
Enforcement of a positive covenant lay in contract; a positive covenant compelled an owner to exercise his rights. Enforcement of a negative covenant lay in property; a negative covenant deprived the owner of a right over property.
Morland v Cook (1868) LR 6 Eq 252 and Cooke v Chilcott (1876) 3 ChD 694, which suggested that any covenant affecting land was enforceable in equity provided the owner had notice of the covenant prior to his purchase, did not survive the decision in Haywood v The Brunswick Permanent Benefit Building Society (1881) 8 QBD 403, where the court said the doctrine in Tulk v Moxhay applied only to restrictive covenants and would not be extended to compel a man to lay out money or do any other act of an active character.
In Austerberry, the court said equity did not and ought not to enforce a covenant binding only in equity in such a way as to require the successors of the covenantor to expend sums of money in accordance with what the original covenantor bound himself to do.
For over a 100 years it had been clear and accepted law that equity would enforce negative covenants against freehold land but had no power to enforce positive covenants against successors in title of the land. To enforce a positive covenant would be to enforce a personal obligation against a person who had not covenanted. To enforce negative covenants was only to treat the land as subject to a restriction.
To overrule Austerberry would create difficulties, anomalies and uncertainties and affect the rights and liabilities of people who had for over 100 years bought and sold land in the knowledge that positive covenants affecting freehold land were not directly enforceable except against the original covenantor. Parliamentary legislation to deal with the Austerberry decision would require careful consideration.
The appeal would be dismissed.Reuse content | 4,651 | 1,966 | 0.00051 |
warc | 201704 | The capture on 6 March of the hardline Khmer Rouge leader Ta Mok, who is known as "the Butcher" for his role as Pol Pot's right-hand man during the years of Khmer Rouge rule, is a very positive development. The US has been working very hard over the past year to accomplish this objective. Secretary Albright personally raised this subject during her recent visit to South-East Asia. At Assistant Secretary Roth's direction, Ambassador Quinn has actively pursued this matter with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other Cambodian officials. I did the same during my recent visit to Cambodia, as did Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes David Scheffer.
We have conveyed to the Cambodian government and the international community our strong conviction that those senior Khmer Rouge leaders must be brought to justice for their horrendous crimes and we are continuing to work with other interested countries to pursue the establishment of an appropriate international tribunal for this purpose.
The Cambodian government has a historic opportunity to rebuild the trust of the Cambodian people and to instil confidence in the rule of law by pursuing justice for the leaders of the Khmer Rouge. The government's handling of this issue will send a powerful signal to the people of Cambodia about whether the culture of impunity in Cambodia can be eliminated. The government's handling of this issue will also be an important part of how Cambodia is perceived within the international community.
The government's stated goal of sustainable development within a system of law cannot be achieved when justice is denied on an issue that has so profoundly affected so many Cambodians. We do not believe that the pursuit of justice is inherently destabilising as some have suggested in this case. On the contrary, we firmly believe that bringing senior Khmer Rouge leaders to justice is a necessary part of the long-term process of Cambodian national reconciliation.
The Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes and members of his staff have worked diligently with representatives of the Cambodian government to outline our views on this subject, and we anticipate that we will meet with the Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong during his visit to New York this week to continue this dialogue
The hardships the Cambodian people face are enormous: the legacy of nearly two decades of war coupled with a failed 10-year experiment in socialist central planning. The country is ranked 140 out of 167 countries on the UN's human development list. The statistics are disheartening: half of all children are stunted or chronically malnourished; in every 200 live births, one mother dies; almost 12 per cent of all children born die before the age of five. The country has the fastest growing rate of HIV infection in Asia. And, as a consequence of landmines, Cambodia has a higher proportion of amputees than any other country in the world.
Our current assistance programme is squarely targeted at addressing these needs by providing $12m in the areas of maternal and child health, HIV/Aids education and prevention, micro-enterprise lending, assistance to war and mine victims and democracy and governance.
Last month, in Tokyo, the United States took part in the International Consultative Group meeting on Cambodia, which sought to reach a multilateral consensus on meeting Cambodia's pressing development needs. While we signalled our support for an international response to these needs, we told our international development partners at that meeting that the level and nature of our future assistance programmes will depend in large part on the Cambodian government's actions.
The United States and other donors will be looking for tangible progress toward genuine democracy, respect for human rights and demonstrated results by the government in carrying out much needed economic reforms.Reuse content | 3,890 | 1,850 | 0.000542 |
warc | 201704 | This will almost certainly be the case if you've kept a current account with the same bank for as long as you can remember.
If you have an ordinary current account with one of the big four British high-street banks - Lloyds TSB, Barclays, NatWest and HSBC - check the interest paid on your balance if it's in credit, and the size of any overdraft charges.
Don't be surprised to find that the former can be as paltry as 0.1 per cent, and the latter as punitive as 18 per cent - with hefty extra fees for unauthorised borrowing.
With plenty of competitive offers available elsewhere, your bank is likely to be profiteering at your expense - scant reward for your misplaced fidelity. And if you've suffered from poor customer service too, it's probably time to join the 80,000 who are switching current account each month.
This is double the number five years ago, according to moneyexpert.com, a website that compares financial products, but it's still a fraction of what it could be. For today, these switchers don't make too much of a dent in the nation's 21 million current account holders.
Seven out of 10 customers still bank with the big four, says consumer body Which?. And the deals here are less than compelling. For example, Lloyds TSB, with an estimated 23 per cent of the market, offers four different current accounts paying 0.1 per cent on credit balances. Interest for an overdraft on its Classic account is 18.2 per cent.
So why aren't more of us changing? One problem is our misconceptions about switching - and in particular, the perceived hassle. Nearly half of UK bank customers surveyed for new research by Alliance & Leicester (A&L) believe it is too time consuming, while a quarter reckon it requires extensive form-filling. Others are deterred from switching because they think it is up to them to transfer all direct debits and standing orders.
But this is not the case. Recent changes to the Banking Code have made it easier for customers to move to a better deal.
"Your existing bank now has to provide the necessary details to your new one within three days of a transfer request being submitted," says Peter Marshall from moneyexpert. com. "Your new bank then ensures everything is moved over, so all you have to do is fill in the application form and sign it."
Some lenders have now set up units to deal exclusively with account switches. And now is as good a time as any to make a move. There are around 100 different current accounts and plenty of incentives to leave the big four - including a debit card paying 1 per cent cashback at the Halifax.
For their part, the banks doing the tempting want your current-account custom to cross-sell more profitable products, such as mortgages. Feel free to ignore all these, of course, but before you dive into any deal, make sure you choose an account tailored to your own needs.
For example, if you spend more time in the red than the black, an account with low overdraft charges will be more suitable than one paying high interest.
Decide if you're happy to bank online. One of the most competitive accounts available is A&L's Premier Plus, paying 4.89 per cent on balances in credit. This is an internet-based deal but with telephone and limited branch banking.
"You have to pay in £1,000 monthly to qualify, but the rate [for balances in the black] is higher than on some savings accounts," says Susan Hannums at independent finan- cial adviser Chase de Vere.
Premier Plus also has a one-year interest-free overdraft that rises to a low 7.9 per cent on both authorised and unauthorised borrowing.
Ms Hannums also suggests internet bank Cahoot, paying 4.17 per cent on balances in credit, or, for a branch-based account, the Halifax paying 3 per cent - though you must put in £1,000 a month.
For a low overdraft, Nationwide's Flex account charges 7.75 per cent on authorised borrowing.
Alternatively, you could try a packaged current account. For a monthly fee, these offer you a bundle of services including free travel insurance and breakdown cover. But critics rubbish these perks, and recent estimates suggest that 7.7 million "big four" customers pay as much as £180 a year for benefits they may not use.
THE BEAUTY OF MOVING
It's a family affair. Judy Shippey, from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, was so pleased with her new current account that her two daughters are now following suit.
The 42-year-old, who works as a receptionist in a beauty salon, left Lloyds TSB to join Alliance & Leicester five months ago.
Her switch was prompted by a need for a good savings account - and customer service played a part too.
"I received some money from an insurance payout and wanted to find a decent-paying account to put it in," she says.
"When I visited different banks to get some advice, the staff at my local A&L branch were by far the most helpful."
On the back of this, she opened a Premier current account, which has a linked savings account - the PlusSaver, paying 4.5 per cent - and also offers 2.1 per cent on balances in credit, with an interest-free overdraft for a year.
"I have to pay in £500 a month but I have [free] travel insurance, and it's easy for me to access my account over the internet."
The hassle-free switch encouraged daughters Rebecca, 19, and Naomi, 22, to do the same.Reuse content | 5,354 | 2,563 | 0.000395 |
warc | 201704 | In this small volume, James Buchanan lays out his understanding of classical liberalism’s fundamental principles and how they differ from the principles that inform conservative and modern liberal thought. The book contains twelve recent essays, the first and last of which were written specifically for this work. Every chapter includes interesting insights, along with some surprises. Buchanan has never been afraid to depart from conventional views, and those who think they can pigeonhole himinany particular orthodoxy are invariably mistaken.
The introductory chapter, “Why I, Too, Am Not a Conservative,” is obviously motivated by “Why I Am Not a Conservative,” F. A. Hayek’s famous postscript to
The Constitution of Liberty (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1960, pp. 397411). Buchanan recognizes that he and Hayek are often mistaken for conservatives because their opposition to replacing decentralized market arrangements with central planning is indistinguishable from the conservative position. He also recognizes that his emphasis on contractarian restrictions in achieving institutional reform gives the appearance that he favors the status quo over constructivist changes, as conservatives do. He makes clear, however, that he differs from conservatives and from Hayek in his greater willingness to accept constructed change in fundamental rules as long as the change meets the test of agreement by those who will be bound by it.
Buchanan is more concerned than Hayek was with the detailed differences between classical-liberal and conservative principles. Indeed, Hayek saw conservatives as largely devoid of principles. According to Hayek, although a conservative wants to slow change, he “cannot offer an alternative to the direction in which we are moving” (
Constitution, p. 398); he tends not to “object to coercion or arbitrary power so long as it is used for what he regards as the right purposes” (p. 401); he “is essentially an opportunist and lacks [political] principles” (p. 401); and he lacks “faith in the spontaneous forces of adjustment” (p. 400). Buchanan does see conservative principles and contrasts them sharply with the principles that underlie classical liberalism. For example, conservatives see a hierarchy of individuals in which standing serves as a good proxy for superiority, whereas classical liberals (following Adam Smith) see people as natural equals, with no clear criteria for judging some as generally superior and others as generally inferior. Buchanan also argues that conservatives perceive the existence of ultimate values as independent of individuals’ subjective preferences. These values are given; our task is to discover them. In contrast, classical liberals see values as flowing from individuals’ preferences and concerns, with no one privileged to dictate his values to others. General values will tend to emerge from an evolutionary process, but they need not be permanent or apply with equal force to all groups or social orders.
Buchanan draws another distinction between classical liberals and conservatives that some classical liberals are sure to find objectionable. He argues that classical liberals, given their confidence in others’ ability to live productive lives in accordance with their values, feel no responsibility “for others whose behavior is somehow evaluated by differing standards” (p. 8). This view leaves classical liberals open to the charge that they are less compassionate than conservatives, a charge that Buchanan seems to endorse by accepting the term
compassionate conservative as reasonable, although he dismisses the term compassionate classical liberal as approaching “oxymoronic classification” (p. 8).
In chapter 2, Buchanan departs somewhat from a common classical-liberal view regarding the perfectibility of man. This standard position holds that to improve the social order, we must improve the social institutions (and the incentives they embody) rather than try to improve people. Although Buchanan rejects romantic notions of how the world would be a better place if only people quit acting like people, he argues that the behavior of a significant number has to satisfy certain minimum standards for a classical-liberal order to survive. These standards include the willingness and fitness to take on the responsibility of freedom; obedience to the prevailing rules of just conduct in dealing with others (Buchanan illustrates this point by discussing a forty-year-old disagreement he has had with Gordon Tullock); attainment of a reasonable understanding and acceptance of how the world works; and willingness to defend the liberal order by distinguishing between those who do and do not deserve to be treated as members of that order, imposing what Buchanan calls “constructive discrimination” (pp. 1819), a standard he added to this chapter after September 11, 2001.
In chapters 3 and 4, Buchanan continues with a discussion of the importance of people’s accepting a large measure of responsibility and treating each other with respect and reciprocity. He argues that a liberal order can be sustained only by regarding dependency and opportunism as clear violations of acceptable social norms. In chapter 4, he discusses the social norms of respect and reciprocity as part of the broad institutional framework of liberalism; they are public goods, but they are not as easily provided as standard public goods, such as national defense or mosquito control. We do not, however, have to hope passively that these social norms will simply emerge from an evolutionary process, as indicated in some interpretations of Hayek’s position. According to Buchanan, these norms “can be ‘produced,’ even if through a slow process, by effective ‘preaching,’ which concentrates in the inculcation of the basic Puritan values and virtues” (p. 38).
Buchanan’s next two chapters deal first with the ethics of liberalism and then with making a compelling case for liberalism. One may be forgiven for wondering, after reading these chapters, whether the former does not undermine the latter. In chapter 5, Buchanan draws a distinction between the ethics of compassion (the ethics of the modern welfare state) and the ethics of reciprocity (the ethics of classical liberalism). The first presupposes a natural hierarchy, with those on the top rungs ethically responsible for showing compassion for those on the bottom rungs. The second presupposes a natural equality among people and requires that each be treated with fairness in accordance with common rules of conduct. Buchanan sees this distinction as providing insights into (1) Rawls’s construction of fairness as an application of the ethics of classical liberalism; (2) the ethical differences between private and collective action; (3) the different ethical presumptions of those who favor and those who oppose capital punishment; and (4) the ethics of enlightened self-interest.
Chapter 6 finds Buchanan making the case that classical liberalism cannot achieve “sufficient public acceptability” (p. 53) when presented only as a scientific inquiry into the implications of self-interest. He issues a call to present classical liberalism in terms of its soulits “animating or vital principle” (p. 53) and “moving spirit” (p. 53). In other words, an effective case for classical liberalism requires emotional uplift (although Buchanan never mentions emotion) in addition to scientific coherence. This argument takes us back, however, to chapter 5. Can one present classical liberalism with as much “moving spirit” as one can present an ideology based on the ethics of compassion while remaining faithful to the ethics of reciprocity and self-interest? It is difficult to see how this question can be answered in the affirmative when we recall Buchanan’s description of the “compassionate classical liberal” as approaching “oxymoronic classification” (p. 8).
The hope has to be that classical-liberal principles can be presented as far more compassionate in their operation than those underlying the welfare statethat classical liberals can be seen as every bit as compassionate as modern liberals, but with a different (and superior) understanding of how best to exercise their compassion. This presentation will not be easy. In comparison to welfare-state liberalism, which appears to dispense compassion directly, classical-liberalism achieves compassion indirectly, so that recognizing this achievement raises Frederic Bastiat’s problem of “what is seen and what is not seen.”
Buchanan uses the classical-liberal principles presented earlier to explore other interesting questions and issues in the final six chapters. For example, why are classical liberals more willing to “stand up and be counted in opposition to sometime popular causes” (p. 68) than are others with the same intellectual understanding of the organizing ability of the market? Why is genuine community required for a liberal order, and how does this community differ from the one that communitarians have in mind? And how important was Hayek to the “attitudes and ideas” (p. 86) that shaped the twentieth century? In the final chapter, Buchanan presents some personal reflections on the nature of his intellectual enterprise.
The book is short, but it is not a quick read. Thought and reflection are required as some passages are read and reread. The effort, however, will be well rewarded.
DWIGHT R. LEE
University of Georgia | 9,731 | 4,104 | 0.000251 |
warc | 201704 | Believed to be one of the world's largest flowering plants, the bloom is expected to last only a day. But while the flower is stunning, it’s the smell that really knocks people off their feet. Reminiscent of the odor of decomposing flesh, the aroma is expected to permeate the area in and around the University’s greenhouse.
Binghamton University received this particular Amorphophallus titanum plant through the efforts of an alumnus, Werner Stiegler, who facilitated the donation of the bulb-shaped plan stern – a.k.a. the tuber - to the University’s greenhouse. The plant was grown from a seed that had come directly from Bali, Indonesia, and in keeping with the tradition of naming the corpse flower after mythological Titans from ancient Greece, Stiegler had called it “Metis,” in honor of the goddess of learning and teaching.
When Metis was sent to Binghamton University in 2007, it weighed in at a little over 4 lbs and measured a mere 8 inches in diameter. It was housed in the Tropical Room of Binghamton University’s Teaching Greenhouse and in spring 2008, produced a fair-sized leaf. But it really seemed to like its surroundings because by the time Metis went into dormancy later that year, it weighed a whopping 40 lbs and measured 24 inches in diameter.
In 2009, Metis again produced a leaf - this time, a big one, measuring 10 foot high and 10 foot wide. But producing such a large leaf took its toll and when Metis entered its dormancy period at the end of April 2010, it only tipped the scales at a skinny 30 lbs. Now, a mere 4 months later, Metis is back, producing its first flower at the ‘ripe’ old age of 5.
Typically titan arums are ‘teenagers’ when they begin to bloom – flowering at this young age indicates that Metis could be fairly ‘advanced’ for its age. Greenhouse staff are eager to see just how well Metis is going to do during its very first flowering, realizing of course, that since corpse flowers bloom very infrequently, they may not see another bloom for upwards of 15 years. At a little over 51 inches tall right now, Metis could very well have inflorescence of 5 feet or more.
Gail Glover | Newswise Science News
Further information: http://www.binghamton.edu
Global threat to primates concerns us all
19.01.2017 | Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung
Reducing household waste with less energy
18.01.2017 | FIZ Karlsruhe – Leibniz-Institut für Informationsinfrastruktur GmbH
An important step towards a completely new experimental access to quantum physics has been made at University of Konstanz. The team of scientists headed by...
Yersiniae cause severe intestinal infections. Studies using Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as a model organism aim to elucidate the infection mechanisms of these...
Researchers from the University of Hamburg in Germany, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Aarhus in Denmark, have synthesized a new superconducting material by growing a few layers of an antiferromagnetic transition-metal chalcogenide on a bismuth-based topological insulator, both being non-superconducting materials.
While superconductivity and magnetism are generally believed to be mutually exclusive, surprisingly, in this new material, superconducting correlations...
Laser-driving of semimetals allows creating novel quasiparticle states within condensed matter systems and switching between different states on ultrafast time scales
Studying properties of fundamental particles in condensed matter systems is a promising approach to quantum field theory. Quasiparticles offer the opportunity...
Among the general public, solar thermal energy is currently associated with dark blue, rectangular collectors on building roofs. Technologies are needed for aesthetically high quality architecture which offer the architect more room for manoeuvre when it comes to low- and plus-energy buildings. With the “ArKol” project, researchers at Fraunhofer ISE together with partners are currently developing two façade collectors for solar thermal energy generation, which permit a high degree of design flexibility: a strip collector for opaque façade sections and a solar thermal blind for transparent sections. The current state of the two developments will be presented at the BAU 2017 trade fair.
As part of the “ArKol – development of architecturally highly integrated façade collectors with heat pipes” project, Fraunhofer ISE together with its partners...
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20.01.2017 | Life Sciences | 4,778 | 2,336 | 0.000442 |
warc | 201704 | In the past, museum guides carried a clipboard and waved a flag to help straggling tourists find the group. In the future - thanks to technology developed at the University of Toronto - talking robotic guides carrying a customized microchip and four-way speakers could lead tourists from exhibit to exhibit. "This is a very unique solution to navigating," says lead researcher Professor Parham Aarabi of U of T’s Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "Using an array of stationary microphones in the museum, this kind of system could accurately help the robot find its location using the sounds that it generates," says Aarabi, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Multi-Sensor Information Systems. The robot consists of a motorized base and elevated speakers that play pre-recorded phrases. These are picked up by an array of microphones around the environment, which locate the robot on a master computer’s virtual map. This computer then tells the robot where to move. If the robot encounters an object in its path using its hair-thin "whiskers," it backs up, reorients itself, then plots a new course around the obstacle.
Nicolle Wahl | University of Toronto
Further information: http://www.utoronto.ca
Ultra-precise chip-scale sensor detects unprecedentedly small changes at the nanoscale
18.01.2017 | The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Data analysis optimizes cyber-physical systems in telecommunications and building automation
18.01.2017 | Fraunhofer-Institut für Algorithmen und Wissenschaftliches Rechnen SCAI
An important step towards a completely new experimental access to quantum physics has been made at University of Konstanz. The team of scientists headed by...
Yersiniae cause severe intestinal infections. Studies using Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as a model organism aim to elucidate the infection mechanisms of these...
Researchers from the University of Hamburg in Germany, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Aarhus in Denmark, have synthesized a new superconducting material by growing a few layers of an antiferromagnetic transition-metal chalcogenide on a bismuth-based topological insulator, both being non-superconducting materials.
While superconductivity and magnetism are generally believed to be mutually exclusive, surprisingly, in this new material, superconducting correlations...
Laser-driving of semimetals allows creating novel quasiparticle states within condensed matter systems and switching between different states on ultrafast time scales
Studying properties of fundamental particles in condensed matter systems is a promising approach to quantum field theory. Quasiparticles offer the opportunity...
Among the general public, solar thermal energy is currently associated with dark blue, rectangular collectors on building roofs. Technologies are needed for aesthetically high quality architecture which offer the architect more room for manoeuvre when it comes to low- and plus-energy buildings. With the “ArKol” project, researchers at Fraunhofer ISE together with partners are currently developing two façade collectors for solar thermal energy generation, which permit a high degree of design flexibility: a strip collector for opaque façade sections and a solar thermal blind for transparent sections. The current state of the two developments will be presented at the BAU 2017 trade fair.
As part of the “ArKol – development of architecturally highly integrated façade collectors with heat pipes” project, Fraunhofer ISE together with its partners...
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19.01.2017 | Event News
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warc | 201704 | "Age-related hearing loss is a very common symptom of aging in humans, and also is universal among mammal species, and it's one of the earliest detectable sensory changes in aging," says Tomas Prolla, a professor of genetics and medical genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Prolla is senior author of a paper in today's (Nov. 9 ) PNAS that looks at the genetic roots of this type of hearing loss, which is not due to noise exposure.
The study has identified a gene that is essential to age-related hearing loss, a condition marked by deaths of sensory hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in the inner ear. These cells are at the heart of the conversion of vibrations into nerve impulses that the brain can decipher, and yet these cells cannot be regenerated.
In mice, the new study shows that the damage starts with free radicals, which are key suspects in many harmful changes of aging. Free radicals trigger a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, by which damaged cells "commit suicide." Apoptosis is often beneficial, as it eliminates cells that may be destined for cancer.
Before the study, it was already clear that "aging was associated with a major loss of hair cells and ganglion cells, so it was plausible that programmed cell death was playing a role in hearing loss," says Prolla. "We also thought that oxidative stress — the presence of free radicals — contributes to age-related hearing loss, so we put two and two together and showed that oxidative stress does indeed induce age-related hearing loss."
In mice, Prolla and the study's first author, Shinichi Someya, a postdoctoral researcher at UW-Madison, found that the suicide program was operating in hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, and that the suicide program relied on activity in a suicide gene called bak.
Activity of the bak gene "is required for the development of age-related hearing loss," says Someya. "The strongest evidence for this was the fact that a strain of mice that did not have the bak gene did not show the expected hearing loss at 15 months of age."
In one way, the new results are a bit unusual, Prolla admits. "In most genetic diseases, it's a mutation that causes the disease. In our study, a mutation in the gene prevents the disease."
Someya says he measured mouse hearing with an instrument like that used to test hearing in newborns. "It's a standard test for infants. We place electrodes on the skin above the brain, and when they respond to a sound an electric current is generated from the brainstem, and we detect that current."
The new results, obtained with collaboration from the universities of Florida, Washington and Tokyo, hint that the oxidative stress and hearing loss may be preventable. Although antioxidants have been widely used, with generally disappointing results, to prevent free-radical damage in aging, Someya and Prolla found that two oral antioxidants were effective. "One of the most surprising findings was that these two — alpha lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10 — were very specific in their protection against apoptosis and hearing loss," says Prolla.
Programmed cell death is triggered by mitochondria, small units inside cells that process energy for the cell. But when the mitochondria receive signals indicating that the cell is damaged, they break up and begin the process of apoptosis.
Confirming the importance of mitochondria in hearing loss, both of the helpful antioxidants are known to make mitochondria less responsive to oxidative stress.
The study provides strong evidence linking free radicals, the bak gene and hearing loss, Prolla says. "We wanted to know how oxidative stress leads to deaths of these critical cells, and when we looked at mice without bak, they were entirely protected from age-related hearing loss. One of our major findings is that free-radical damage does not kill the cell directly, but rather induces the pathway to programmed cell death. Mice without bak still accumulated oxidative damage, but did not undergo programmed cell death, did not lose hair cells or these neurons, and their hearing was fine."
Bak may play a role in other age-related conditions, Prolla adds. "This study focused on hearing loss, but there is evidence that other diseases associated with the loss of neurons, like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, are associated with oxidative stress, and it's possible that the bak protein plays a role in apoptosis in those diseases as well. We are very intrigued by the possibility that blocking bak may have broader utility against neurodegeneration."
— Dave Tenenbaum, 608-265-8549, djtenenb@wisc.edu
Tomas Prolla | EurekAlert!
Further information: http://www.wisc.edu
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warc | 201704 | With the threat of Hurricane Sandy now past, and seeing Milton escape pretty much unscathed from the ‘Frankenstorm’s’ wrath, it’s fair to assess the actions of various municipal agencies prior to this potentially dangerous weather system.
Overall, those agencies did a commendable job in issuing warnings in advance of Sandy’s arrival.
Just moments after Environment Canada issued a severe wind warning for Halton, email alerts and public notices on websites continued most of the day.
The Town of Milton, Halton Region and Conservation Halton all were quick to issue warnings about the potential dangers of the storm from overflowing riverbanks to wind damage to possible power outages.
They offered safety tips for residents to follow and to use the Region’s 311 information line instead of tying up the 911 emergency line — which is only to be used for crimes in progress or in cases where there’s an imminent public safety risk.
The Canada Safety Council issued an emergency preparedness tip sheet and the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority also cautioned Ontarians on how to best deal with electrical equipment and power lines during a storm.
Various agencies and levels of government put their emergency preparedness plans into action in case residents needed information and/or help.
While local residents got off lightly in the case of this storm it is still comforting to know that helpful information in the wake of a potential disaster was close at hand and eagerly provided.
This isn’t the last time Mother Nature will test us, so residents who are unaware of the emergency preparedness programs of Halton Region (www.halton.ca) and the Town of Milton (www.milton.ca), should take the time to find out about them. | 1,781 | 926 | 0.001114 |
warc | 201704 | In the first of our columns from the Association of Professional Insurance Women Isabel Silvestri, its president, tells Intelligent Insurer how organisations like this have helped women break through the glass ceiling and create a new generation of working women.
first became involved with the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW)—an organisation that was founded in 1976 by a group of women insurance professionals in order to support each other and celebrate all the contributions that women had made to the insurance industry—in 2002. It has continued to grow from strength to strength and has been a fantastic network of support for me and hundreds of other women in the sector.
An example of its impact was evident in May of this year when we held a panel discussion which highlighted the current generation of female workers who have found a way successfully to combine their job with being a parent.
By taking charge, they have created a less rigid framework. This flexible approach has given women the freedom to alter their hours to fit in with their demands both inside and outside of work. An early finish to collect the children from school that is balanced with a few hours of work once they are in bed suits both the employee and the employer. APIW is really helping women to take charge.
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APIW, APIW Woman of the Year | 2,074 | 1,048 | 0.000978 |
warc | 201704 | Refinance or sell after a divorce?
A divorce can be one of the most damaging things to happen to your finances.
Not only is divorce expensive, but the financial burdens on both husband and wife can lead to debt, foreclosure and even bankruptcy.
One of the many questions that arise during a divorce is what will happen to the family home.
Many homes are owned jointly, and this can often create problems during a divorce.
If the marital assets are split evenly, this becomes tricky where the couple’s home is concerned. After all, how do you split a house?
There are two common options that wind up in a divorce settlement:
Sell the house.The drawback is you could lose more money selling the house than you are by keeping it.
While the timing is never right, because the real estate market is depressed, you might sell your home for less than you bought it, particularly if you purchased the home at the peak of the market last decade.
And selling the house does not even take into account the fees, closing costs, and the price to get the house ready to be sold.
Refinance after the divorce. The alternative to selling the family home after a divorce is for one of the parties to keep it.
A husband or wife could keep the house by essentially buying out the other person's share of the equity either by paying with savings or through a cash-out refinance home loan (although lenders are more reluctant to do these types of loans today).
The party not staying in the home can transfer equity and change the name on the deed by signing a quitclaim deed. But you will need a new mortgage to change the name on the loan.
Signing a quitclaim deed and refinancing the home into only one person’s name can save time, money, and more headaches in the end.
Because mortgage rates are so attractive right now, you could save thousands in interest payments by refinancing (assuming you can qualify based on your own income and credit history and you have enough equity built up), and also provide the person staying in the home with the cash needed to evenly divide the couple’s assets down the middle with one party keeping the home.
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warc | 201704 | Author + information Received April 27, 2015. Accepted May 3, 2015. Published online September 1, 2015. Author Information Peiren Shan, MD ∗, †, ‡, Apurva Motivala, MD †, Jeffrey Moses, MD ∗, †, Akiko Maehara, MD ∗, †, Gary S. Mintz, MD ∗and Ziad A. Ali, MD, DPhil ∗, † ∗() ∗Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York †Columbia University Medical Center, Division of Cardiology, Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy, New York, New York ‡The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Division of Cardiology, Zhejiang, China ↵∗ Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Ziad A. Ali, Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy, Division of Cardiology, New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York 10032, New York. bioresorbable vascular scaffold intravascular imaging intravascular ultrasound optical coherence tomography percutaneous coronary intervention
A 61-year-old woman with hypertension and dyslipidemia underwent coronary artery angiography for non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. Angiography showed a focal severe stenosis in the middle portion of the right coronary artery (Figure 1, upper left panel). The lesion was pre-dilated with a 3.0 × 10-mm scoring balloon (AngioSculpt, AngioScore, Fremont, California) with subsequent implantation of a 3.5 × 18-mm Absorb everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BRS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) at 14 atm. Final post-dilation with a noncompliant balloon (NC Trek 4.0 × 12 mm, Abbott Vascular) was performed (Figure 1, bottom left panel). To compare imaging modalities for optimal BRS implantation, intravascular imaging assessment with both new-generation high-frequency (50 MHz, up to 70 MHz) combined near-infrared spectroscopy and intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) (InfraRedX, Burlington, Massachusetts) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Ilumien, St. Jude Medical, Saint Paul, Minnesota) was performed. Both modalities showed complete apposition and adequate scaffold expansion with an inner minimum scaffold area of 9.3 mm
2 by IVUS and 9.0 mm 2 by OCT. High-frequency IVUS (Figure 1, A1–A3) showed leading and trailing, but not lateral edges of the BRS struts more clearly defined on OCT (Figure 1, B1–B3). However, plaque burden and external elastic lamina were more clearly defined on high-frequency IVUS.
OCT is regarded as having better measuring capacity to detect qualitative and quantitative findings, when compared with conventional IVUS, due to higher resolution for BRS (1,2). Here we show, for the first time, direct comparison between high-frequency IVUS and OCT. These findings suggest that high-frequency IVUS may provide an alternative modality to OCT for guiding BRS implantation.
Footnotes
Dr. Shan has received grant support from Boston Scientific Corporation. Dr. Moses is a consultant for Abbott and Boston Scientific Corporation. Dr. Maehara has received grant support from Boston Scientific Corporation; and is a consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation and ACIST. Dr. Mintz has received grant support from Boston Scientific Corporation, Volcano Corporation, St. Jude Medical, and InfraRedX; and is a consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation and Volcano Corporation. Dr. Ali has received grant support and is a consultant for St. Jude Medical and InfraRedX. Dr. Motivala has reported that he has no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.
Received April 27, 2015. Accepted May 3, 2015. American College of Cardiology Foundation References ↵ Brown A.J., McCormick L.M., Hoole S.P., West N.E. | 3,760 | 1,691 | 0.000612 |
warc | 201704 | Leigh Wyryha is scared out of her wits. Why? She’s getting married.
Even though her wedding is still six months away, Wyryha is filled with anxiety about her big day. It’s not that she fears she’s marrying the wrong man; her fears have nothing to do with marriage itself. For her, it’s all about the wedding.
“I’m absolutely terrified to walk down the aisle,” says the 26-year old Okanagan bride-to-be.
Wyryha has always been shy and uncomfortable being the centre of attention. In fact, she skipped her own high school graduation because she couldn’t fathom the thought of being in front of a crowd.
“I had 23 family members waiting for me to come out and when they called my name I never came out,” she says.
She fears she might do the same thing at her wedding.
Wyryha is far from alone. Considering that shyness affects half of the population and that 13 percent of the population has an extreme form of social anxiety called social phobia, it’s safe to say that there are many brides (and grooms) who agonize over the fact that they have to be the centre of attention for their wedding day.
For shy types a wedding can be excruciating. Not only is there the agony of being in the spotlight for several hours, there’s usually public speaking involved. For brides like Wyryha, the thought of having to give a speech is enough to call the whole thing off.
“My fiancé and I have already talked about this and he has agreed to do all the speeches. I told him from day one I wouldn’t have the wedding if I had to do speeches,” she says.
Wyryha has already trashed her initial plan to have a big wedding, partly because she doesn’t want to face a large crowd. Instead, she’s opted for a destination wedding in Las Vegas with 30 people, which she says is still too many guests.
“I hate the idea of everyone looking at me and only me. It makes me sick to my stomach,” she says, adding that Pepto-Bismol tablets, Imodium and a bottle of water will be key components in her emergency ‘bridal bag.’
Calgary’s Tracy Reid, 23, who is getting married in July, is another bride-to-be who is not exactly anticipating her nuptials with unabated joy and exhilaration.
Her biggest fear is that she will do something embarrassing on her wedding day.
“I’ve spent so much time and money making sure everything is perfect, but the thing that scares me the most is being the centre of attention. I’m worried about walking down the aisle and tripping on my dress, and not being able to get up,” she says.
She’s talked about her feelings with her husband-to-be. Thankfully, she says, he understands because “he’s shy too.”
Reid says she tries to keep her anxiety at bay by focusing on the true meaning of her wedding.
“I keep thinking to myself it’s one day … Who cares if I trip on my dress, stumble during my speech, or even fall when dancing? It’s meant to be a happy day, it’s for us, and if something bad happens at least at the end of the day we will be married,” she says.
What’s a bride or groom to do when anxiety is overshadowing the joy of planning a wedding?
Whether it’s mild butterflies, or full fledged panic, Erika Hilliard, a Vancouver-based clinical social worker and author of Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety says there are several helpful techniques that will help to banish these bad feelings.
According to Hilliard, one of the most important things a bride or groom-to-be can do is to start planning early.
“Don’t procrastinate. Get as much possible done so you will have a few days of down time. If you have everything prepared in advanced you can decrease the stress level,” she says.
Just recently, a client of Hilliard’s who is getting married in November, expressed concern about her upcoming wedding. Even though the bride-to-be had every little detail pinned down months before the big day, she was still concerned about one thing:
“The only thing she worried about was walking down the aisle … This woman is a confident, competent professional and the prospect of having all eyes on her was daunting,” she says.
Hilliard says brides that are anxious about their weddings can benefit greatly from a technique called grounding.
Essentially, grounding is physical awareness. It’s immersing oneself in the present moment by becoming mindful of physical sensations, much like meditation, says Hilliard. Ideally, it should be practiced weeks, even months before the wedding.
During a typical grounding session with Hilliard, a client would be seated. She would be asked to feel the sensation of her feet. How do they feel in her shoes? How do they feel resting on the floor? How does her back feel pressed against the chair? How do her hands feel resting on her thighs? Finally, she’s asked to feel the sensation of her breathing and to be conscious of where her out-breath stops and her in-breath begins.
“When you are focusing on the present sensation, you don’t worry about anything else, like what your guests think of you,” she says. “This is a place of power and composure.”
When the big day finally arrives, brides can take what they have practiced with them down the aisle.
“If you are walking down the aisle, feel the sensation of every footstep,” she says, once again pointing out that present moment awareness will bring a sense of calm.
According to Hilliard, grounding is a “wonderful tool for any type of stressful situation.”
Hilliard says another helpful technique to decrease pre-wedding anxiety is visualization.
“Imagine a time past the anticipated wedding. Imagine you are on your honeymoon and you are relaxing with your spouse… You’re talking with each other about how wonderfully the wedding went,” she says.
Like grounding, visualization should start weeks, or months before the wedding.
Another technique that will help reduce anxiety is what Hilliard calls “welcoming people with your eyes.”
“If you are avoiding eye contact at your wedding it creates tension because you are not feeling part of the moment, you are putting yourself away in a corner,” she says. “I tell people to practice welcoming others silently with the warmth of their eyes weeks before the wedding. When your wedding day comes and you walk down the aisle, meet people’s eyes with a silent “I welcome you.”
What about the dreaded public speaking?
Hilliard says a bride or groom should not feel obligated to give a speech. However, she says that saying a few works is always a nice touch.
“Just don’t make a big deal about it. Don’t call it a speech,” she says.
And one more thing: don’t get hung up on perfection.
“I think people need to be prepared that not everything is going to go perfect. If something unexpected happens, {like tripping on your wedding gown} you need to go with it and laugh it off as best you can,” she says. “Don’t let anything spoil your day.”
Photo: Ralph Heinze Photography | 7,249 | 3,187 | 0.000334 |
warc | 201704 | A moral hazard occurs when a party to a transaction has not entered into the contract in good faith. This can occur when a party provides misleading information or has an incentive to take unusual risks. But despite its name, moral hazard doesn't really concern the moral compass or ethics of the parties involved.
Moral hazard has been used in conjunction with concepts such as adverse selection, information asymmetry and the agency problem. In each of these instances, there is a relationship between two parties, one of which may be privy to more information and/or less risk than the other. The problem with such a situation is that when one party in a transaction is insulated from risk, he or she may behave differently (and more carelessly) than expected. Moral hazard can be found in financial, insurance and management circumstances. Here we take a look at this phenomenon and how it affects both parties in a transaction.\(For more on how information asymmetry affects stockholders, check out
The Hidden Value Of Intangibles.) The Moral Hazard Agency Problem The agency problem involves two parties: the principal and the agent. The agent is hired to act on behalf of (and in the best interests of) the principal. Principal-agent relationships are everywhere. Some examples of this relationship include criminals who retain attorneys to represent them and business owners who hire managers to run day-to-day operations. The agent usually has resources that the principal does not - perhaps extra time or specialized knowledge. This article will explore examples of moral hazard via the agency problem. The relationship between borrowers and lenders entails a delicate balance of risk and return for both parties. Borrowers seek affordable financing for projects and investments in the hope of using the borrowed money to reap returns well over the cost of financing. On the other hand, lenders need loans of all risk profiles to be repaid. Loan terms must be reasonable enough to attract borrowers, yet worthwhile enough for the lenders to profit from the interest.Finance: The Borrower Vs. the Lender
For borrowers, the penalty of making losing investments or not repaying their debts is somewhat predictable: either sky-high interest rates on subsequent loans or total inability to obtain additional loans, either of which could lead them to go out of business. But, for lenders, the prospect of going out of business may not be as certain. Banks are linked to central banks, which are often viewed as the "lender of last resort". This extra insurance can create a moral hazard if banks allow the presence of this extra insurance as an incentive to assume more risk. (For more on this, see
How To Read Loan And Credit Card Agreements.)
Aside from risky lending, banks can increase their risk through the use of leverage. Many firms use leverage because it magnifies the range of returns, making positives more positive and negatives more negative. Leverage can be good if it is used to purchase return-building assets, but too much leverage can prove detrimental to an entity's stability.
Leverage and risky lending can prove beneficial to a bank's bottom line, but in moderation. Too much risk can lead to loan losses, devaluation of assets, and in some cases, insolvency.
One possible method of decreasing the likelihood of moral hazard is to increase regulation. Through more oversight, regulators can impose and enforce rules to discourage risky behavior. Those rules may include higher capital requirements or heightened transparency. News of more regulation is typically met with opposition, but lack of appropriate supervision can lead to bank failure. If a bank is big enough, its failure could pose a threat to financial markets worldwide. (To learn more, read
The Fuel That Fed The Subprime Meltdown.) Insurance: The Insured Vs. the InsurerFor insurers, the underwriting process is used to assess the risk of potential policyholders and make a decision to provide or deny coverage. Insurers need to grant coverage in order to generate income from insurance premiums, but to be profitable they need to pay as few claims as possible. Ex-Ante Moral Hazard - Ed the Aggressive Driver:Ed, a driver with no auto insurance, drives very cautiously because he would be fully responsible for any damages to his vehicle. Ed decides to get auto insurance and, once his policy goes into effect, he begins speeding and making unsafe lane changes. Ed's case is an example of ex-ante moral hazard. As an insured motorist, Ed has taken on more risk than he did without insurance. Ed's choice reflects his new, reduced liability. Ex-Post Moral Hazard - Marie and Her Allergies:Marie has had no health insurance for a few years and develops allergy symptoms each spring. This winter she starts a new job that offers insurance and decides to consult a physician for her problems. Had Marie continued without insurance, she may never have gone to a doctor. But, with insurance, she makes an appointment and is given a prescription for her allergies. This is an example of ex-post moral hazard, because Marie is now using insurance to cover costs she would not have incurred prior to getting insurance.
Insurers try to decrease their exposure by shifting a portion of liability to policyholders in the form of deductibles and co-payments. Both represent the amount of money a policyholder must pay before the insurance company's coverage begins. Policyholders can often opt for lower deductibles and co-payments, but this will raise their insurance premiums.
In Ed's case, if his aggressive driving causes an accident, he will have to pay the deductible before his insurance company pitches in. As for Marie, her health insurer may use co-payments to make her pay for a portion of the charges for doctor's visits and prescriptions. In either situation, the insurer tries to prevent or discourage risky behavior by forcing the insured to bear some of the financial burden associated with any claims.
Management: the Managers vs. the OwnersWhen owners select managers to run a business, their goals may not always be aligned. Owners seek to maximize their wealth (via higher stock prices), while a manager could seek many things - from a high salary and use of company perks to improving the company or beefing up his or her resume. Without a personal stake in the well-being of a firm, sometimes managers fail to act in the best interest of their shareholders.
Two common conflicts between owners and managers are compensation and project selection. If an executive's contract includes an annual salary and severance pay for departure, they will be paid as long as they are with the firm and after they leave. The unconditional, guaranteed compensation provides no incentive for the executive to avoid risky behavior.
One way for managers to assume risk is through the project evaluation process. New projects should fit with the company's threshold for risk and return. But, the knowledge that owners want profits could cause a manager to take extra risk in order to make those profits. Since their decisions are based on projections, managers might make bad selections and, with no personal penalty for selecting projects that lose money, there is no disincentive for risky behavior.
Some companies have initiated executive compensation packages that are linked to company performance. Performance incentives may come in the form of bonuses, vested benefits, or stock options that will only become profitable if the company's stock rises. Linking pay to performance might cause an executive to think twice before taking on too much risk when part of his or her paycheck is on the line.
ConclusionMoral hazard has far-reaching implications. From aggressive drivers to central banks, whenever two parties enter into an agreement, there is a chance for moral hazard to appear. (For more on moral hazard in the 2008 liquidity crisis, see The Whens And Whys Of Fed Intervention.) | 7,996 | 3,579 | 0.00028 |
warc | 201704 | DEFINITION of 'Bail Bond'
A written promise signed by a defendant and surety to ensure that a criminal defendant will appear in court at the scheduled time and date, as ordered by the court. The bail amount is set by the court.
The process starts with a defendant being released on bail; the bail is paid by a surety (bail bond agent or bondsman), who usually collects a percentage of the amount of bail. In order to pay the bail, so that the defendant can be released while awaiting trial on criminal charges, the agent might require collateral in the form of valuable property, securities or a statement of creditworthiness. BREAKING DOWN 'Bail Bond'
Bonds over $1,000 usually cost 10% of the bond. For example, if bail is set at $20,000, the premium would be $2,000. Additional fees may also be added. The goal of a bail bond is to prevent abuse of the appeal process, where the intent for appeal is for a reason other than that for which it is intended. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the cash bond is paid to the court and the collateral is collected by the bond agency, including any other related fees.
An amount of money placed in holding while the appeal is being ... A breach of the terms of a surety agreement. A bond violation ... A debt security issued by the Resolution Funding Corporation ... The guarantee of the debts of one party by another. A surety ... A legal term referring to the action of seizing property in anticipation ... A designation earned by bond producers, bond underwriters, and ... TaxesAppealing an unfavorable or unfair tax ruling may be your last chance to save your finances. InsightsToo big to fail means that a business has become so large that its failure would have catastrophic economic repercussions. Personal FinanceBounty hunters, repo men, body guards - many of these strange jobs are on the rise, so find out more about job requirements and pay. InvestingUnderstand the basics of corporate bonds to increase your chances of positive returns. InvestingThe relationship between bonds and stocks can reveal a lot about the future direction of the stock market. InvestingBonds play an important part in your portfolio as you age; learning about them makes good financial sense. InvestingBond investing is a stable and low-risk way to diversify a portfolio. However, knowing which types of bonds are right for you is not always easy. InvestingInvestors need to understand the five mistakes involving interest rate risk, credit risk, complex bonds, markups and inflation to avoid in the bond market. InvestingA premium bond is one that trades above its face or nominal amount. InvestingA 20-year Series EE savings bond pays more interest than a 20-year Treasury bond. So are government-issued long-term bonds the best bet going? The correct answer is c. The correct answer is $10,000. While the Act states that the Administrator may set the amount, the ... Read Answer >> Discover how bonds are traded as investment securities and understand the various terms used in bond trading, including par ... Read Answer >> | 3,075 | 1,507 | 0.000665 |
warc | 201704 | Germany's labour market continued to lose momentum in June with data published Thursday showing the numbers out of work climbing for the third consecutive month, as Europe's debt crisis catches up with the nation.
The Nuremberg-based labour office said seasonally-adjusted unemployment in Europe's biggest economy had increased by a more-than-forecast 7,000 this month to 2.882 million. This left the unemployment rate unchanged at 6.8 per cent.
Still, the jobless rate is at its lowest point in two decades with the recent strength of the German labour market standing in marked contrast to other parts of Europe, where budget austerity has pushed unemployment to record highs.
Analysts had expected the German jobless data to show a more modest rise in unemployment of 3,000 during June.
“There are signs in June of a weaker development on the German labour market,” said labour office chief Frank-Juergen Weise releasing the data.
On Wednesday, the labour office said its BA-X index of labour demand dropped six points in June to 165. This represented its biggest fall since January 2009, when Germany was mired in recession.
But Weise does not believe that the June figures point to a dramatic change in conditions on the labour market.
“We have many established facts, such as the good situation in the construction industry and in the domestic economy, which make it clear that nothing will change this year,” he said.
Indeed, many economists expect hiring to pick up again in the nation as the year unfolds.
“We assume that the improvement in the labour market has only suffered an interruption,” said Commerzbank economist Eckart Tuchfeld.
In the politically important seasonally unadjusted terms, the numbers out of work fell by 46,000 to 2.809 million - its lowest level since December last year.
The fall resulted in the unadjusted jobless rate slipping to 6.6 per cent from 6.7 per cent in May.
However, analysts said this month's increase in unadjusted unemployment was relatively weak compared with previous figures for June, when the job queues normally decline due to the availability of seasonal outdoor work during summer. - Sapa-dpa | 2,195 | 1,128 | 0.000905 |
warc | 201704 | Johannesburg - The quality of South Africa's maths and science education places it last out of 148 countries, according to a World Economic Forum report.
Under the “skills” sub-category, the quality of South Africa's maths and science education comes in last place, behind the likes of Haiti, Lesotho, Chad, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya.
The quality of South Africa's education puts it in 146th place.
This is according to the “Global Information Technology Report 2014”. It uses a networked readiness index (NRI) to rank the state of countries' information and communication technology.
South Africa is placed 70th on the NRI, which is made up of 10 different sub-categories from which the overall NRI ranking is drawn.
Democratic Alliance education spokeswoman Annette Lovemore said in a statement she would seek to have Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga brought before Parliament.
This was so the minister could account for what appeared to be the worsening state of South Africa's education system.
She said the ministerial task team established to investigate teaching in maths, science and technology last year released a “damning report” about South Africa's education.
“(The ministerial report) exposed gaping holes at every level of our education system,” said Lovemore.
It noted that the national strategy was out of date, there was a shortage of qualified teachers, and curriculum changes over the last 10 years had negatively affected teaching.
Universities were not training teachers adequately, and district officers were largely unable to provide adequate support to teachers.
“Furthermore, a reply to a subsequent DA parliamentary question revealed that the department of basic education does not know the full extent of the shortages of mathematics, science and technology teachers,” she said.
“The reality is that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has not done enough to address the maths, science and technology crisis.”
The WEF's ranking did not reflect the ability of South Africa’s school pupils, but an education system that needed urgent intervention.
The education curriculum and methodology had to be aligned to achieve similar successes in South Africa as had been seen in the Western Cape, said Lovemore.
Here, the 2013 matrics achieved a 73.3 percent pass rate in maths and 73.7 percent in science.
“Quality education is a crucial necessity for creating more globally competitive young adults, much-needed jobs and entrepreneurs,” she said.
Sapa | 2,582 | 1,256 | 0.000826 |
warc | 201704 | The big picture of the Internet also has included a heavy emphasis on how it is administered. That, ultimately, leads to who has control.
For instance, the U.S. government, cable and telephone companies long have sparred over whether Internet communications is a data or telecommunications service. At the end of the day, that small tweak in definition leads to big differences in how people pay for it — data services are not taxed — and how it is administered.
That fish or fowl determination — is the Internet a data or telecom service — came into play in what is, believe it or not, an even bigger issue. Recently, the United States rejected a telecommunications treaty being negotiated in Dubai by member countries of the International Telecommunication Union over a disagreement on whether or not to include the Internet. Here is how
The New York Times reported it:
The United States has consistently maintained that the Internet should not have been mentioned in the proposed treaty, which dealt with technical matters like connecting international telephone calls, because doing so could lead to curbs on free speech and replace the existing, bottom-up form of Internet oversight with a government-led model.
This is a vital issue. During the past few years,
India and the United Arab Emirates and other countries have taken various steps to control BlackBerry data within its borders. While that doesn’t necessarily directly impact the Internet, it shows how eager some national governments are in controlling the flow of information.
A direct instance of the vital nature of Internet governance is its use as a tool during the uprising in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya. Thus, giving governments more control could influence how similar uprising progress — or even if they get started — in the future. The treaty would have been nonbinding, but clearly represented a step toward a top-down administration of the Internet.
Computer Weekly has a good report on the conference, which was the World Conference on International Telecommunications 2012 (WCIT-12). Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré, secretary general of the ITU, maintained that content was not included in the proposed treaty, and was thus harmless. That position was that the treaty was just to address technical issues. A goal was to meet objections of some member countries over the control of Internet addresses held by the United States (through a contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN). The skeptics — who eventually ruled the day — saw the treaty as a slippery slope toward control of content.
The IEEE Spectrum, the publication of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
reports that the negotiations were no small affair: 55 countries participated and the event ran 12 days. Writer Steven Cherry pointed out that even if the negotiations were successful, the treaty would have had to be negotiated further and approved by the Senate. Clearly, however, the IEEE position was that the failure of negotiations, in this case, was the best option. | 3,133 | 1,528 | 0.000668 |
warc | 201704 | Gold buy or sell | Is there an increase of gold rate in future?
From 2001, the rates of gold had been changing and the gold ranges from Rs.3500-4000 for 10 grams. Now the present rate of 10 grams is Rs.18000. we can expect it to increase or decrease and we will see the reasons for the increase in rates.
Hedging:
World gold council tells that the demand for gold had been decreased in the last two years but the rates of gold are increasing. In the 2008-2009, the usage of gold is up to 850-900 tonnes and in the year 2009-2010, the usage dropped to 300 tonnes. There are many reasons for the increase in gold rates. There are two types for gold, i.e. usage and investment. When there is increase in currency, equity markets and when the dollar rate decreases gold is bought as hedging. The gold rate is increasing as the dollar rate is increasing with respect to Euro. Finance people are telling that the dollar rates will decrease in the future. As the recession started in 2007 and now it is prevailing in Europe, the investors are showing interest towards gold. America is considered as the world finance energy and now as the America is decreasing its influence, the dollar rate decreases. Generally all the countries store their money in the form of dollars. Now few countries are investing their money in gold as the dollar is going to decrease. Other reason for the increase in gold rates is the decrease in its usage. And the usage of gold is decreasing 5% every year.
Is there an increase of gold rate in future?
There is an opportunity for increase in gold rate whether we see in the fundamentals or technical. As the financial support is strong in India and so the gold usage is more here. Now china is also looking forward to invest in gold business. The gold rate is also increasing as the currency rates are increasing and the re-rating is less in the case of gold. In the last 30 years, the rates of other things had increased but the gold rate did not increase. Experts are telling that there will be increase in the rate of gold but they are not able to tell the exact rate. | 2,100 | 945 | 0.001062 |
warc | 201704 | Gallus BioPharmaceuticals is one ERP customer that took a faster, cheaper approach. The nascent contract manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals acquired an existing, FDA-approved biologics plant from Johnson & Johnson last year and had 120 days to wean itself off the corporate giant's IT infrastructure--including desktops, networks, phone systems and software.
Migrating from highly customized, well-supported SAP software to its own ERP system, however, was a big challenge. Gallus uses living cells to make medications that treat conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis. It's a highly regulated industry, so the transition really had to be seamless.
"We have to track everything from preventative maintenance to cell-performance data," explains Gallus CFO Steven Kasok. That needed to continue from the day Gallus signed the Johnson & Johnson deal right through the day after SAP access was shut off. After all, says Kasok, "the cells didn't know they were sold."
The CFO, who began his career in IT at GE and oversees Gallus's technology function, knew the 17-week implementation schedule was tight, particularly given the company's bare-bones IT staff. The key? "You go with a simple, non-customized implementation," says Kasok.
Kasok chose EzPharma, a pre-configured ERP package built on SAP, based solely on the viability of the vendor. "We have the same regulatory and quality framework as large pharmaceutical clients, so it only makes sense to run on the same system background," says Kasok. "The real question is, Can you afford it?"
There is no cut-rate ERP suitable for the drug industry, so Kasok bit the bullet on EzPharma's "couple million dollar" price tag, shaving costs on the implementation itself. He hired consultants from Answerthink, an SAP consultancy, to manage the rollout, but used internal staff on the project as much as possible and vetoed customization in almost all cases. "You can make modest changes in your own operating systems to meet the standards of the off-the-shelf software," Kasok says.
Because Gallus manufactures products for the commercial market, the regulatory bar is set higher than it is for other manufacturers. To meet its complex tracking and documentation requirements, the company required one bespoke element of software to support its maintenance and calibration tracking procedures. Other than that, what it rolled out last year was what came in the box.
"It's a big cultural shift to say, 'We're going with a standard system,'" says Kasok. "The consultants would talk about [making changes in] the next phase. But I always said, 'This is the only phase.'"
Master data migration proved tougher than expected, says Kasok, who is more familiar with the straightforward flat files of his IT days. "Intense data cleaning added stress--and about 30 days--to the project."
"In an ideal world, we would have implemented just what we needed instead of what [Johnson & Johnson] already had," Kasok says. For example, Gallus will now manage multiple customer inventories. "We weren't able to do as much up-front planning as we would have liked."
"The reality is, there will be more," which Kasok admits sounds suspiciously like a phase two. "We did this as cost effectively as possible, and the return is a business that continues to run."
Read more about enterprise resource planning (erp) in CIO's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Drilldown.
This story, "Fast, easy ERP, here's how to get it" was originally published by CIO. | 3,522 | 1,816 | 0.000558 |
warc | 201704 | Today I’m all sorts of fired up. I don’t know what it is, I’m in a great mood today, but a little irritated because I have seen so many people and companies lately promote their product as being healthy when in fact it’s not healthy at all. What’s so unfortunate and is making me sick to my stomach is that so many people are falling for these traps, these sales techniques. There have been some of the people I coach tell me that they have been trying some products from other companies, so I have decided to do my research to find out if these products are indeed good for them, and just about 99.9% of the time I have found ingredients that are DETRIMENTAL to their health, not beneficial. And then I hear about how these salespeople are selling the products, claiming them to be healthy, claiming this and that, and it makes me want to find them and slap them silly because they are LIES! Proven lies at that, but yet these people still “recommend” them because it’s a way for them to make money, not change lives. They have their priorities all wrong.
I’m a Beachbody Coach, you all know that, and the reason I decided to join Beachbody was because (1) I could HELP people and (2) Beachbody is a company of integrity, ethics, and that integrity flows through to their products. When I recommend a Beachbody product to someone, I’m 100% confident that it will in fact IMPROVE their health! I’m not going to recommend something to them that’s going to hurt them in the long run. That’s not me, that’s not how I was raised. If there is a better product out there on the market that’s NOT a Beachbody product, I will recommend that. I have done it before, and will do it again, but fortunately, Beachbody keeps improving their products to make them of the highest of quality, so I do recommend a lot of Beachbody products.
My goal is to change lives, not make money. This all stems back to my involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters all throughout high school. I volunteered because I wanted to help a young kid change his life, have a positive influence on him, and I was able to do so successfully. Since that day I left BBBS, I had a burning desire to find a career where I could have that type of impact on someone’s life on a daily basis, and I have found that with Beachbody. I joined because I found fulfillment in helping people change their lives through health and fitness, and quite honestly, didn’t know much or care about the business side of it. I just kept recommending products that I’ve used, have worked for me, and that I knew would work for others as well, and crazy enough a business arose out of it, but that was never my intentions. Now, though, I’m thankful for the Team Beachbody business because it has allowed me to stay at home every day with my wife and daughter and focus 100% of my effort on changing lives.
Now that you have a good understanding of what I’m all about, time to get back on track. Ingredients. Like I mentioned above, lately I’ve been doing a lot of research on quite a few different supplements, and the secrets lie in the ingredients. Companies don’t mind posting the ingredients because the majority of people don’t exactly know what they are, unless they do research on them, but most people don’t. Time for an example. Now I don’t like tearing down other companies, but there is one company that bothers me the most, and it’s Body By Vi. I have done tons of research on their products and have found MANY, MANY ingredients that are proven to be harmful to your health, but yet their reps claim them to be extremely healthy and beneficial. Wrong. Want proof? Here’s some ingredients found in Body By Vi shakes…
(1) MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). MSG is a chemical additive that is shown to damage nerve cells. Interestingly enough, regular consumption of MSG also can lead to weight gain and obesity because it has been shown to stimulate appetite. Hidden names of MSG include vegetable protein extract, glutamate, glutamic acid, soy protein isolates, Sodium Caseinate, vegetable protein, barley malt, corn oil, malt extract, yeast extract, textured protein, hydrolyzed oat flour, and autolyzed yeast.
(2) Soy Protein Isolate. This ingredient contains chemicals that have been linked to Alzheimer’s and cancer.
(3) Sucralose. This is an artificial sweetener commonly known as Splenda. Regardless of what people say about Splenda, it’s not healthy for you. It’s made by chemically altering the structure of sugar molecules by adding chlorine atoms. It’s a chlorocarbon, which is poisonous.
(4) Mono-dyglyceride. Just another name for hydrogenated oil. See what I mean about tricky ingredients? I bet you didn’t know that!
(5) Soy Lecithin. This comes from sludge left after crude soy oil goes through a “degumming” process, and is a waste product containing solvents and pesticides and has a consistency ranging from a gummy fluid to a plastic solid.
Those are just a few of the controversial ingredients that I found, and there are many more. The moral of the story is that whenever you’re about to try a new supplement, ALWAYS do the research on the ingredients before purchasing! That 10-15 minutes that you spend is VERY important for your health, so make sure you don’t skip that step. It’s interesting because Body By Vi claims that their shakes are better than Shakeology, and that’s so far from the truth. There’s a reason I drink Tropical Shakeology EVERY DAY and recommend it to my family and all the people that I coach! Instead of me comparing Body By Vi VS Tropical Shakeology, take some time to do the research yourself. Bring up both ingredient lists and do research on them. You will find that there is no real comparison. | 5,897 | 2,697 | 0.000385 |
warc | 201704 | A 35-year-old ex-high school music teacher opted not to take a prenatal test because she wanted to cherish the life of her child regardless of any disabilities the baby might be born with, and whatever difficulties these could bring.
Pushing her to make that decision was the smile of one of her students, a girl with Down syndrome, at the high school in western Japan for children with special needs.
The woman, who declined to be named, has loved playing piano since childhood and in 2007 she qualified as a high school music teacher. When she was assigned to the school, she had little knowledge of disabilities.
It was in her second year that the girl with Down syndrome became one of her students.
The girl, who also declined to be named, often cut class and locked herself in a bathroom. The teacher brought her back to class every time that happened.
“I guess she might have thought of me as a strict teacher,” the woman said.
But when the woman married and quit to move to Tokyo, she was surprised by a letter she received from the girl, in which she had written neatly, “I always like you very much.”
The ex-teacher, who moved to Tokyo with her husband in 2010, considered taking a prenatal test if she were to become pregnant.
“I was thinking that if the test detected any abnormalities in my baby, honestly, I would suffer from having to choose whether to give birth or not,” she said.
There were reasons for her to think that way.
When she was a teacher, the woman was often asked by the mother of one of her students to listen to the hardships she had to go through as the parent of a child with disabilities.
She told the teacher that people around her family understood little about the child’s disabilities and the difficulties they faced, and that they had been isolated from their neighbors and even their relatives.
The ex-teacher said this led her to think that she would consider having an abortion if she became pregnant and found that the child she was carrying had a disability, because she “knew the reality.”
But when she did become pregnant in March 2011, she recalled the image of her student.
The girl, at her request, once visited the couple at her home in Tokyo. her former teacher was also keen to introduce the girl to her husband, in hopes that it would help deepen his understanding of Down syndrome as she believed every couple face the possibility of having a baby with disabilities.
Over dinner, the girl told the couple with a shy smile about her visit to Tokyo Disneyland the previous day.
The husband, who had no idea of how he should treat the girl due to his lack of knowledge about Down syndrome, ended up enjoying her company, later telling his wife, “She’s an interesting kid.”
When she responded by asking him if they should take a prenatal test, he said it was up to her and he was ready to accept a child regardless of disabilities.
The woman then decided not to take the test as she “wanted to value the life whatever outcome awaits us.”
She believes the girl taught them it is all right that everyone is different and everyone be an individual.
Hoping to return to teaching kids with disabilities, the woman said she hopes her 1-year-old son, who was born healthy, will grow up to be a kind and compassionate person who understands the feelings of people with disabilities. | 3,416 | 1,566 | 0.000656 |
warc | 201704 | Published:September 23rd, 2012
Precisely because t’shuva is the most exciting sensation in the world, a person must be careful to control the great powers it unleashes. The turned-on t’shuva “junkie” who wakes up in the morning looking to shoot holiness into his veins is faced with a problem. He wants too much, too fast. If in his frustration, he blames his body and its lusts, he can start to wage war on himself. He tries to uproot all of his feelings and passions, including healthy drives like eating and sleeping. But the body resists. It still wants to eat, to sleep, to have normal, marital relations. As long as a person continues to breathe, the monster called the body will not go away.
When this aggressive strategy fails, the person can fall into despair. His longing to fly straight up to heaven has been thwarted. Instead of feeling rejected, however, he should realize that the body and soul need to rise up the spiritual ladder together. Patience is needed. With all of his spiritual and physical baggage, he sets out on the trip. Little by little, he will prod the beast, poke here and there, steering it, training it, making it obey his commands.
A person comes to learn that as materialistic as one’s body can be, it also has rights. Just as it is forbidden to hurt another person, it is forbidden to hurt oneself. Just as one has to be kind to others, one has to be kind to oneself. A baal t’shuva who accepts upon himself extra stringencies has to take counsel with himself to know when the border has been crossed.
For instance, a person may feel that fasting can help him weaken his material lusts. Not wanting to exhaust himself completely, he may decide that instead of fasting a whole day, it is healthier to fast during the day, but to eat at night. In this manner, a person may learn to rule over his lusts without draining his body and willpower completely. If this regimen also proves too punishing, then the person must have compassion on himself and try to find another strategy to cleanse himself of his lusts.
The main thing is not to despair. As long as a person’s will remains firm, God will help him on his way. He must come to recognize that the ultimate solution to his problems does not rest with himself, for a person by himself cannot correct all of his failings. He has to know that in the end, the charity of God, His mercy and lofty salvation will rescue him from his darkness. God will answer his yearnings and bring him to the higher deliverance for which he so longs.
Rabbi Kook adds one final point which is important to stress. Many people reject the idea of t’shuva because they believe that they will have to give up their personalities, talents, and uniqueness in order to conform to a rigid religious standard. Rabbi Kook says that just the opposite is needed. The baal t’shuva must follow his own special path, not someone else’s. Without fear, he must expand his unique intellectual and imaginative talents in the freedom of his soul, in line with his own individuality. T’shuva does not restrict life — it enhances it.
The musician need not give up his music; the writer need not abandon his pen; the singer need not refrain from singing; the businessman need not give up his business. The opposite is true. The baal t’shuva must use his talents, without hesitation or fear, in serving God, in declaring His praises, in bringing the joy and knowledge of God to the world. Then his t’shuva will be complete. Not only in mending his deeds and improving his ways, but by sanctifying his unique individuality and talents to God, he helps bring the whole world to completion.Tzvi Fishman
About the Author: Tzvi Fishman was awarded the Israel Ministry of Education Prize for Creativity and Jewish Culture for his novel "Tevye in the Promised Land." A wide selection of his books are available at Amazon. His recent movie "Stories of Rebbe Nachman" The DVD of the movie is available online. The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Jewish Press.
If you don't see your comment after publishing it, refresh the page. Our comments section is intended for meaningful responses and debates in a civilized manner. We ask that you respect the fact that we are a religious Jewish website and avoid inappropriate language at all cost. If you promote any foreign religions, gods or messiahs, lies about Israel, anti-Semitism, or advocate violence (except against terrorists), your permission to comment may be revoked. | 4,573 | 2,203 | 0.000463 |
warc | 201704 | Posted by
Kara on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 4:49pm.
What does this mean? Thank you for explaining this stuff to me. This is just a confusing topic for me.
Without the "risk" factor of investments, there will be less financial gain. ( Would this be considered a negative effect that global peace would have on economics)
History - SraJMcGin, Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 4:52pm
Yes. If you follow the stock market, many people are "risk takers" but that means either they will make a lot of money, or lose the investment! If it's a "sure thing" it isn't necessary to "discount" fees or increase the interest. Investing in "Penney Stocks" means you won't lose much money but neither will you gain big profits.
Sra History - Ms. Sue, Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 5:01pm
Safe investments -- like bank accounts -- are sure to keep your investment. These are almost always risk-free investments.
However, the more risk you're willing to take the larger amount you MIGHT make if the investment is successful. Let's consider how you might "invest" $5,000. The least risky is to put it under your mattress. You won't lose it, but you won't make any money on it. You could buy a government bond, which has almost no risk, but you won't make much money in interest. You could invest in stock in a company. This is risky. You might double or triple your money in 2 years if the price of the stock goes up. You might lose over half of your money if the price of the stock goes down. Answer This Question Related Questions More Related Questions linear equation - A financial advisor is about to build an investment portfolio ... speech/english - this is kinda similar to last nights question We have to write ... Health - 1. A _______ is a part of your life that helps you avoid drug abuse. A... Finance - For the first time in a very long time (perhaps ever!), the concept of... speech/english - this is kinda similar to last nights question We have to write ... Technology-Labs - I have these labs that I have to complete for my Intro to ... history - I have to do a research aper on any topic in American history. One ... Math - A person with no more than $15,000 to invest plans to place the money in ... US History - 14. The main argument in support of the Bill of Rights was that A. ... Physics - A history book that weighs 30 N is placed on top of a literature book ... | 2,385 | 1,203 | 0.000839 |
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When you consume a fulfilling bowl of soup, it benefits your health, by keeping your hunger in control for longer periods. In addition, a hot piping bowl of soup will warm your body, giving you the much-needed warmth for cold winter days.
Is soup a wholesome diet?
The answer is yes. A bowl of homemade soup contains all the necessary ingredients that can be at par with all the dietary requirements for the meal. It is a one-bowl meal only healthier. Soup has more water content, which means it has the ability to keep you full for longer period thus switching off your hungry hormones.
A good bowl of soup can contain protein in the form of chicken, salmon or natural yoghurt. Beans and green vegetables can be a great addition for their vitamin and mineral contents. For the daily requirement of carbohydrates, you can always add any grain or noodle in the soup. Add in organic seasoning to prepare a tasty bowl of soup.A bowl of soup is a reservoir of all the nutritional resources that is required to maintain a healthy diet.
The added benefit is that soups make you feel less hungry thereby making your mind think that you are not depriving yourself from food. Soups can also provide a different touch to the monotonous salad diet, which makes you hungrier.
Here are a few healthy organic soups that can cheer up your taste buds as well as your tummy.
Therefore, prepare these organic soups to add a dash of variety to your diet and for more information click here.
All blog comments are checked prior to publishing | 2,687 | 1,447 | 0.000705 |
warc | 201704 | The arbitrariness of borders was brought home to me this past month. My
daughter, and many of her friends, were prevented from registering to retake the
psychometric examination in February because they live in a Negev community
which lies just a few kilometers outside the area defined as the Security
Frontier Zone.
The fact that they, like thousands of others, were
prevented from attending the expensive course for which they had registered when
the city of Beersheba came to a standstill and all public activities were closed
down for the course of the war, or that they too were subject to sirens and
missiles as they travelled from their home community to Beersheba and were
impacted no differently than the many other people living in this region, was
irrelevant to the bureaucrats at the Central Examination Authority
(CEA).
The borders of the security zone had been demarcated prior to the
war, long before the missiles started flying into settlements and communities
well beyond the borders.
Despite requests from the local Municipal
authorities who took up the case of the disappointed students, the Examination
Authority refused to take this into consideration.
Many of these kids
were traumatized by their wartime experiences and were unable to properly focus
or concentrate on the highly pressurized psychometric
examinations.
Although they have not yet received the examination
results, the war could potentially damage their chances to be accepted as
students at the country’s universities.
No arbitrary line made their
experience any different to those who were on the “right” side (the right side
in this case being the wrong side; closer to the Gaza Strip from where the
missiles were fired), all of whom were quite justifiably offered the right to
immediately re-sit the exam in February under conditions of normality and
relative tranquility.
Borders, once demarcated and delimited,
automatically include everything (or everyone) within and exclude everything
which lies outside. It is a sharp line of separation and distinction. If you are
on one side, you are included, but if you are on the other side – which may be
only a few meters away, you are excluded.
IN THE light of the advanced
missile technology available to Hamas and Hezbollah, reaching ever further
inside Israel, it is likely that the demarcation of the security zone will now
be reconsidered, modified and expanded. But this does not excuse the absolute
lack of consideration or sympathy on the part of the CEA in its refusal to
consider the legitimate requests of students who were impacted and
traumatized.
True, the experience of residents of these communities was
not as bad or as intense as that of the residents of Beersheba, whose
experience, in turn, was not as bad as that of residents of Sderot and the
region closest to the Gaza Strip. But it is not a good idea for the State of
Israel to start differentiating between the trauma of different people based on
the arbitrary drawing of a boundary.
Perhaps this is not so surprising
given the data which was presented yesterday at a conference held by the
Department of Social Work at Ben-Gurion University to examine the effectiveness
of the welfare authorities in dealing with trauma-affected populations during
the war in the south of the country. It was argued that the authorities have
failed to provide adequate care for some of the weaker populations of the region
during normal times, and it is therefore not surprising that they were unable to
deal with the added trauma of wartime situations.
THIS DISCRIMINATORY
policy of the CEA has also raised new questions concerning the overall efficacy
of the psychometric examinations, a problem which has been the subject of much
discussion in recent years.
Israeli university students are accepted on
the basis of their combined psychometric and bagrut
(matriculation) results.
Over the years, it has become obvious that the psychometric examinations have
little relationship to the ability of students to succeed in his/her university
studies.
The universities have thus been considering replacing these
exams with a new set of acceptance procedures, but the economic and political
lobby of those intent on maintaining the existing system has proved too strong
for any serious change to be undertaken.
There are major differences of
opinion among university administrators concerning the degree to which the
psychometric tests are useful tools in determining the suitability of new
students and their ability to successfully finish their degree courses at
universities.
For some, they are no more than aptitude tests which are
based on learning the tricks and the techniques, rather than a real test of
intelligence and knowledge. They have also become a test against time as
students are taught to answer different types of questions within narrow time
frameworks and under intense pressure.
They are definitely not tests
which allow a student to think their way through answers, or develop a reasoned
argument to questions which require analytical skills beyond binary and absolute
answers – yes or no, right or wrong, black or white. For the social sciences and
the humanities, we require proof of general intelligence, not just informational
skills. We seek students for whom the ability to reason is as important as
absolute knowledge.
THE ARBITRARY decision by the CEA to automatically
adhere to an administrative boundary which was clearly out of synch with the
realities of the recent war is part of the same pattern of thinking which does
not allow for reasoning or adaptation. It is anti-intellectual and needs to
undergo through revision. Continuing with these aptitude tests in their present
form will simply churn out a generation of unthinking robots, who are very good
at answering quizzes, but who lack the basic skills of an educated
intelligentsia.
Meanwhile, a large group of young Israelis, recently
finished with their army service and preparing themselves for the next stage in
life, have been significantly affected by the trauma of war, without being
offered any recourse or sympathy by the state authorities.
Many of them
used their time during the war to volunteer in the communities most affected,
assisting in the kindergartens and schools, or generally contributing time which
would otherwise have been used for studying, in contributing to the collective
good. They surely are deserving of a better response from the CEA.The
writer is dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ben-Gurion
University. The views expressed are his alone.
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warc | 201704 | This summer I had an opportunity to lunch with Fernanda Viegas and Martin Wattenberg, a couple of the brains behind ManyEyes--the brilliant data visualization tool that remains an IBM toy. When I met them, the pair had recently started Flowing Media, a start-up focused on visualization solutions for media data. It was a short-lived venture--Google came calling and Martinanda decided to take their talents to a newly-minted Google "Big Picture" data visualization group.
Before the move, Flowing Media released an open-source desktop visualization tool for event-based data. TimeFlow was created along with Sarah Cohen, a professor and journalist, as a tool for reporters to analyze historical data.
The motivation behind TimeFlow comes from Sarah’s realization that visual analytical tools for reporters are rare. There are good visual presentation tools out there, but those that allow journalists to mull over hundreds and thousands of data points, slicing and dicing the information as they go along are harder to come by. Given this mandate, we set out to rethink timelines, striving to always show as much textual detail about the data as possible (a goal dear to reporters that, interestingly, goes against the visualization impulse to always aggregate).
Here's what I like most: Flowing Media took a common analysis problem and built a focused solution to solve that specific problem. Most analytical solutions attempt to be all things to all people--and fail in the process. With about 1,000 downloads, I doubt TimeFlow has found its way to all the people who could benefit. In my non-exhaustive tour of the tool, I found that it does a bunch of things well:
Easy start-up.For a non-technical person, TimeFlow may seem a bit intimidating. It is hosted on Github and downloads as a .jar file. However, I had it up and running seconds on my Mac. Uploading data.TimeFlow makes uploading a simple, flat file easy by letting you paste into a text box or selecting an existing CSV file. Smart options for data views.It provides a variety of relevant ways to present this timeline based data, including a timeline visualization, calendar, list, table, and bar chart. Data summary.An unexpected little feature is a summary of your data file (below). This is the type of useful view that only true data-lovers would think to include. In-line data editing.I was pleased to see that you can edit your data as you go. If you see something in a chart that doesn't make sense, simply right-click to change any of the fields on the fly.
Now that Fernanda and Martin have moved on to Google, we'll be curious to see what project they take on. It is not hard to imagine an extension of this TimeFlow visualization tool applied to Google news search results. | 2,765 | 1,422 | 0.000707 |
warc | 201704 | The Kansas Chamber of Commerce plans to push legislators next year to reopen a debate over public pensions and start a 401(k)-style plan for new teachers and government workers.
Two chamber officials said Friday that a further overhaul of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System is on the group’s legislative agenda because they believe the current system is going to become increasingly expensive for the state to maintain. The chamber’s goal is to control state spending so that Kansas can eventually eliminate its individual and corporate income taxes.
The chamber plans to formally release its agenda next month, but Kent Eckles, its vice president of governmental affairs, and Eric Stafford, its senior legislative affairs director, provided details during an interview. The Legislature convenes its 2013 session Jan. 14, and conservative Republicans will have majorities in both chambers, with much of the credit going to efforts by the chamber’s political action committee to elect conservatives.
Legislators approved measures earlier this year and last year to deal with the pension system’s long-term funding gap, now projected at $9.2 billion through 2033. For teachers and government workers hired after 2014, the state is moving away from traditional plans that guarantee benefits up front, based on years of service and salary, but not fully toward a 401(k)-style plan, where benefits are tied to investment earnings by the pension system.
“We didn’t really get that done last year,” Eckles said. “For the first time, our board wanted to tackle that issue, because they recognize it’s a big cost driver. It puts pressure on the state to fund it and to raise taxes.”
The chamber expects to have a broad legislative agenda that includes tax and spending issues, as well as preventing public sector unions from using funds automatically deducted from workers’ paychecks for political activities. The chamber supported massive income tax cuts enacted earlier this year, and it will push legislators to keep moving the state toward having no income taxes.
Any push toward a state 401(k)-style pension plan is certain to meet fierce resistance from public employee groups, as it did during the past two years. Previously, Democrats and moderate GOP leaders in the Senate stalled such efforts, but conservatives ousted eight moderate Republican senators in this year’s elections, including Senate President Steve Morris of Hugoton.
“Now with a new Senate, maybe we can move a little bit further,” Eckles said. | 2,600 | 1,277 | 0.000808 |
warc | 201704 | 07/10/14
Whether you're huffing and puffing on the treadmill or taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, it's hard to imagine not having that ubiquitous bottle of water in tow.
Bottled water is nothing short of a phenomenon with sales skyrocketing and companies constantly trying to jump over one another for supremacy in a field that is surprisingly competitive when you consider that the centerpiece of this revolution is just water. But alas, bottled water reeks of convenience, but a lot of what makes this product so sought after is equal parts marketing and misconception. The marketing comes in the form of bottled water manufacturers assuring its customers that this water is pure and somehow healthier than what comes out of your tap at home. Some of these water connoisseurs will tell you that their water is bottled at the mouth of a particular stream off an island and will even argue that the taste is crisper and better than anyone else on the market. Really, taste actually is one of the selling tools when it comes to water? That suggestion shows just how misguided the consumer is when it comes to water and a desire to eat and drink healthy to the point that somehow they've been told some water is better than other. Truthfully, water from the faucet is the same as water that is bottled and sold at five times the price of how much you're paying on that water bill. Not only is bottled water incredibly pricey but the health affects of drinking bottled water might surprise you, and not in a good way.
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Keycode is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are constantly striving to improve our service to both advertisers and consumers. We invite you to join our social community and provide us with feedback. | 1,811 | 949 | 0.001057 |
warc | 201704 | Ticks are a big problem in Vermont. As a result of climate change, the so-called "tick line" has steadily moved north over the past few years to include the whole state. About half the state's deer ticks now carry Lyme disease, according to Lyndon State College biology professor Alan Geise. In 2013, Vermont had more Lyme disease cases per capita than any other state in the country. In the past few months, Vermont's tick activity has been at the top of the national charts, according to WebMD.
Dr. Lewis First, head of pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital, recommends ways to keep ticks away and describes symptoms that may indicate the onset of Lyme disease.
Kids VT: How prevalent is Lyme disease in Vermont?
DR. LEWIS FIRST: In the past five years Lyme has spread pretty widely throughout Vermont. Every county in the state has reported a case. We've gone from maybe 200 cases per year five years ago to an expected 500 cases this year.
KVT: What's the best way to avoid Lyme?
LF: I recommend a three-step prevention strategy: Avoid the ticks, repel the ticks and remove the ticks if you find one of them. Who's not going to be in a wooded area this summer? When you are, stay in the middle of trails and be careful around shady, moist ground, tall grasses, brush, shrubs and low tree branches. Lawns and gardens at the edge of woods are rife with ticks. They also hang around stone walls because often that's where deer, mice and chipmunks deposit them.
Deer ticks (also known as blacklegged ticks), which carry Lyme disease, are so tiny — as small as a sesame seed or pencil point — that many times people don't even realize they've been bitten. Often doctors have to make a diagnosis based on a combination of patient's symptoms, medical history and where he or she has been.
KVT: Can certain clothing keep ticks at bay?
LF: It's a good idea to wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks. I know it's hot in the summer, but when kids are in the woods or grassy areas, they should wear pants tucked into their shoes or socks to prevent ticks from crawling up their legs. Kids should get into the shower within two hours of playing outside to wash any potential ticks off of them. Parents should check for ticks behind their children's ears, in the groin, behind their knees, along their waistband and in other skin folds where they may hide.
KVT: What's the best tick repellent?
LF: Use an insect repellent that contains no more than 30 percent of the chemical DEET. I wouldn't go higher than that due to its potential toxicity. Apply sparingly to exposed skin no more than every six hours. Avoid putting it on the hands of young kids who put their fingers in their mouths.
KVT: What if parents find a tick on their child?
LF: Get a pair of tweezers and pinch the tick around its head, where the tick latches to the skin, and pull steadily upward to disengage it. If part of the tick stays in, it will eventually come out on its own. Or take a cotton ball dipped in liquid soap and hold it against the tick for 30 seconds. The tick will stick to the cotton ball and pull off. If the tick is burrowed in, you can use a sterile needle to dislodge it. Do
not use petroleum jelly to smother the tick, or a lit match to kill it. The tick will just burrow in farther or release more saliva, which contains the bacteria that causes Lyme. Once the tick is removed, swab the affected area with rubbing alcohol. KVT: How likely are kids to get Lyme once they're bitten?
LF: The chance of getting bitten by a tick and then contracting Lyme disease ranges probably from 1 to 5 percent. That means kids have a 95 percent chance of being bitten by a deer tick and not getting Lyme disease. (The larger dog tick does not carry Lyme.) It takes the deer tick anywhere from 36 to 48 hours to inject the bacteria into the skin. By that point the tick has usually dislodged itself and fallen off the body, thus usually preventing the disease from occurring.
KVT: What symptoms should parents watch for?
LF: Lyme symptoms generally appear one to two weeks after a bite. The telltale symptom is the "bull's-eye" rash: redness in the center, then clearing, then another ring of redness spreading outward. The rash, which is typically flat and painless but may itch, goes away over a period of weeks. That — combined with muscle aches, a low-grade fever, headaches and swollen glands — points to Lyme. I recommend that pediatricians lean on the side of caution because Lyme, when caught early, is easily treated in children with a simple, low-risk antibiotic like amoxicillin for two to four weeks.
KVT: Does Lyme always cause a bull's-eye rash?
LF: You should find it 70 to 80 percent of the time, meaning in one out of every four or five cases, you won't. A blood test can result in a lot of false positives and false negatives — and it won't show up as positive unless you're four to eight weeks into the disease so it is not usually used to make the diagnosis. It is important to note that a bull's-eye rash could also be caused by fungal diseases, such as ringworm, and autoimmune diseases so the history and other symptoms can help your child's health care professional determine if Lyme disease is occurring in your child.
KVT: What if parents mistake Lyme symptoms for another illness and don't treat it right away?
LF: If you miss the early symptoms, four to eight weeks later, a child may develop a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, palpitations, paralysis of the face (Bell's palsy) and possibly more severe neurological symptoms. If it goes untreated for six months, you can get joint aches. Even then, though, you can still successfully treat Lyme disease in children with antibiotics.
Colchester, VT
The VYOA offers two different camps during the summer. The longstanding Music Day Camp is for young musicians entering grades 4 - 10 in orchestra or band. With numerous electives and fun activities, this day camp is the perfect way to start your summer; June 20 - 25. Now in…(more) | 6,061 | 2,928 | 0.000345 |
warc | 201704 | Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Rate of Partial Clinical Remission in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of the insulin secreting beta-cells of the pancreas. There is evidence that Vitamin D may play a role in the initial risk of development of autoimmune disease, including type 1 diabetes. However, Vitamin D may also play a role the natural progression of type 1 diabetes by altering innate insulin secretion and sensitivity and by influencing systemic inflammation, directly at the level of the beta-cell. Studies have shown that Vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency is frequently reported in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A majority of newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes enter a period of partial clinical remission, characterized by low or even absent insulin requirements, also known as a honeymoon period. This honeymoon period is associated with improved metabolic control, near normal insulin sensitivity, and recovery of beta-cell function leading to preservation of endogenous insulin secretion. We hypothesize that supplementation with Vitamin D in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes will halt the destructive process within the beta cell and improve beta-cell function by increasing endogenous insulin secretion and decreasing systemic inflammation, thereby increasing the rate of partial clinical remission.
Interventional
Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)
IDAA1c
Our primary outcome measure will be to determine the rate of partial clinical remission at 9 months of disease duration, which will be assessed by determining insulin dose adjusted hemoglobin A1c (IDAA1c) using the formula (HbA1c% + [4 x insulin dose u/kg/day]). A IDAA1c <9 will be indicative of partial clinical remission.
9 months disease duration
No
Kathryn J Stephens, MD
Principal Investigator
Nationwide Children's Hospital
United States: Institutional Review Board
285412
NCT01724190
November 2012
March 2014
Name Location Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus, Ohio 43205-2696 | 2,257 | 1,085 | 0.000929 |
warc | 201704 | The online world is full of misinformation and misrepresentation. From review fraud to malice and even extortion, businesses are attacked or unfairly portrayed – and consumers are at risk from false reviews and misled by incorrect material.
KwikChex Proof of Quality resources are providing verified sources of information to help protect reputable businesses and assist consumers.
Businesses - Proof Of Quality - Read More | 432 | 277 | 0.003687 |
warc | 201704 | Tsutomu Suzuki's world is 6 feet long and 12 feet wide, a crude refuge he and his family of five have staked out in an upstairs lobby of the Tagajo cultural center.
They sleep side by side on the tile floor, with only blankets to cushion them. It's like camping, but indoors, although sometimes it's almost as cold as the outdoors.
But there is one luxury that sets them apart from others at the crowded shelter: a couch.
It's not much to look at, a cheap stick of furniture salvaged from a motel. But for Suzuki, a 52-year-old carpenter,
His wife, Kuniko, 50, and her mother, 78-year-old Kimiko Takahashi, often lounge on it and pretend they're back in the living room of their modest home.
But even this simple pleasure has its drawbacks. "The couch is so narrow my wife often rolls off in the middle of the night and comes crashing down on top of me," Suzuki said.
Within an hour of the March 11 earthquake, Kuniko and her mother had found refuge at the modern two-story center in this provincial city in Miyagi prefecture, 220 miles north of Tokyo. The next day, Suzuki brought their daughter, Ikue, 18, and his wife's sister, Chikako, to the shelter.
Life on the floor is not the hardest part, they say; it's not knowing how long their purgatory will last.
The center houses 550 of the 160,000 people still in shelters as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. On a recent night, Tsutomu, in a green T-shirt and black cap, surveyed his surroundings, teeming with fellow refugees. Blankets were spread everywhere, in hallways, meeting rooms and exhibit spaces. Some had draped blankets over chairs to create a roof or had fashioned cardboard walls for a sense of separation.
With people packed so closely, privacy is at a premium. Kuniko holds up a blanket so Ikue can dress in the morning without being seen.
The grandmother insists conditions are better than those she faced after World War II. Still, life is hard. The elderly woman sometimes soils herself before she can reach one of the few toilets.
None of the five has showered in weeks. Baths consist of a bucket of cold water. "You don't know how much you miss a hot shower until you can't have one," Tsutomu said.
The night brings little respite. The overhead lights never dim. With only two electric space heaters, many refugees wear jackets under the covers and still shiver as indoor temperatures plunge to the mid-30s. Residents twitch and fidget. Many call out in their sleep; others snore and cough incessantly.
Restless, up by 5 a.m., some scan the many notes on a message board. One reads: "Yuriko, I came to get you but couldn't find you. Don't worry, I'll be back. I hope you're safe."
Time drags. The monotony is prison-like. Meals are Spartan.
"There's no way to get these people the calories they need," said Satou Tadamichi, vice chief of the center, a compact man with black hair and a graying beard.
On a recent day, the menu consisted of two slices of bread for breakfast and half an apple and one slice of bread for lunch. Dinner was rice, bread, a small salad and a boiled egg.
Bickering over food often erupts. Residents complain of being shortchanged and accuse others of receiving more than their share.
"Many people are holding so much grief, I fear one day they're just going to explode over something as simple as a bowl of rice," Tadamichi said.
There's the man who paces for hours at a time; the woman who insists she now hates the sea; the child who wets her bed as she dreams of being chased by a mammoth wave.
Masuko Iwai, 72, has a recurring nightmare. The moment she closes her eyes, a voice calls to her, pleading for help she cannot give.
They're the cries of a neighbor swept away by the tsunami.
"She shouts, 'Masuko, help me, help me!'" she said. "I answer, 'I'll go! Please tell me where to go!' But the others tell me I must be quiet, that I need my rest. But how can I ignore that voice?"
Physician Jyunya Minohata sees patients in a makeshift clinic under a staircase. He treats the rampant cold and flu, but there's little he can do for emotional distress.
"Stress levels here are high," said Minohata, 35. "People have lost so much. And the emotional damage has started to surface."
Nearby, a wafer-thin man in his early 40s is doubled over and clutching his stomach. A nurse leads him to a chair and rubs his shoulders as the doctor crouches low, whispering in his ear.
For weeks, the scene has been repeated: The patient insists someone changed his medication. "We can't convince him otherwise," Minohata said. "He calms down. Then he returns the next day."
Kiko Iwamoto, a social worker who specializes in grief and bereavement, worries that disaster victims are not getting psychological counseling they desperately need, a concern in a culture where such therapy is frowned upon.
"These centers need a place where victims can talk about their losses and be reassured they're not the only ones," she said.
Iwai has developed her own coping mechanism. For the first week, with no electricity, the nights were pitch-black and cold. "Then the aftershocks came," she said. "People screamed and ran for the door. We were on a ship riding a wave at sea. I cried, saying, 'What did I do to deserve this?'"
But she soon made friends. A group of elderly women moved together into a corner, where they share food and support. "We remind ourselves that everyone here is a victim," Iwai said.
At 9:30 on a recent night, a security guard switched off the center's only TV and a loudspeaker broadcast the day's final announcement: "Please go to bed," a woman's voice said. "Be silent."
Tsutomu kissed his wife and hit the floor; it was her turn on the couch. Not far away, Iwai headed off to bed, knowing the voice would be there to greet her. | 5,809 | 2,974 | 0.00034 |
warc | 201704 | Read To introduce the selection, create a three-column KWL chart (What I Know, What I Want to Know, What I Learned). Ask students to share facts they know about caribou and antlers. Ask students to write questions they want to research. After reading nonfiction selections, ask students to share facts they learned about caribou. Prepare an “Anticipation Guide” with true/false statements students will use in small group discussions to preview the selection. On a handout or overhead transparency, write true and false statements using details from the text. For example: “Only male caribou have antlers.” (False) “Year after year, caribou antlers are grown and shed, then regrown and shed again.” (True)
Invite students to make pre-reading predictions by labeling the statements true or false.
Read the non-fiction selection, “Off the Top of Your Head ” and other nonfiction selections that describe facts about caribou and their antlers aloud to the class. Encourage students to “mark up the text” as they read: circling unfamiliar words, highlighting key words and phrases, and writing notes in the margins.
Revisit Revisit the Anticipation Guide to confirm or revise predictions made prior to reading. Have students reread the selection to answer the following questions: “Why do caribou have antlers?” “Why do caribou shed their antlers?” “What are the similarities and differences between male and female antlers?” Create a month-by-month timeline that sequences and describes the “Growth, Shed, and Regrowth” phases of antler development.
Reflect Journaling Questions: For what reasons might female caribou keep their antlers during the winter, while males drop theirs in the fall? Why are the male caribou antlers generally much larger than the female’s? Why might the females antlers begin to develop after calving? Remember, WHEN something happens often helps explain WHY it happens, so try to think of what kinds of energy that goes into growing antlers and the different ways antlers can be used. Then guess the reasons for the the differences Urquart describes.
Making Connections: Stages of Development What changes/transformations do we experience as we grow? Create a personal timeline that describes significant events from your life.
Evaluation (Examine Author’s Strategies): How did the author help you understand the phases of antler development? How did the author help you understand what occurs at each phase of the development? What words or phrases did the author use to describe each phase? | 2,625 | 1,230 | 0.000848 |
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