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< IoT
Revision as of 08:47, 9 April 2013 by Ian.skerrett.eclipse.org (Talk | contribs) (→Upcoming Events)
Target Media Outlets
Past Press Announcements
- Release May 2012 at Eclipse Day in Toulouse - Focus on availability of Paho client code, including Lua client.
Upcoming Events
Face 2 Face Meeting at EclipseCon France, June 4, Toulouse, France
Connected World, June 10-13, 2013, Santa Clara, CA
M2M Evolution Conference, Aug, 26-29, Las Vegas
M2M World Congress, Sept. 24-26, 2013, Nice France
JavaOne Embedded, Sept. 22-26, 2013, San Francisco
Potential Events
Webinar Series
Spring 2013
Possible topics
- Mihini hands-on (Installing Mihini on Raspberry Pi and monitoring your house)
- Security in M2M
- Open-hardware and open-source in M2M
- A Case study [need volunteers]
Fall 2012
***** The Webinar Schedule and links to recordings are now found here.*****
We are organizing a series of M2M webinars to highlight the vision and solutions of the M2M working group. The Eclipse Foundation will host and promote the webinars.
- Webinar 1: What is M2M?
- Provide an overview of what is meant by M2M, use cases, technical challenges and what the IWG hopes to accomplish.
- Speaker: Arlen and Benjamin
- Webinar 2: Anatomy of an M2M Application
- Speaker: James and Marco
- Webinar 3: Getting Started with MQTT
- Provide an introduction to MQTT, why and when people should consider using it and steps to getting started.
- Speaker: Scott to find speaker
- Webinar 4: Developing with Lua
- Introduce Lua language, why is it well suited for M2M and introduce Koneki
- Speaker: Benjamin


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Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democratic leader, says there's a big difference between fact and fiction when it comes to the new Amazon series,Alpha House.
Durbin is roommates with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., in a Capitol Hill row house that is the inspiration for the new Web TV show by Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau. Durbin, who's the assistant Senate majority leader, attended Tuesday night's screening of three Alpha House episodes at the Newseum.
"Violence would involve rats, drugs would involve Metamucil and the closest thing to sex is pictures of our grandkids," Durbin, D-Ill., is quoted as saying in Roll Call's Heard on the Hill blog.
STORY:Garry Trudeau says Republicans are 'more interesting'
Trudeau is said to have gotten the idea for Alpha House after reading a 2007 New York Times story about the lawmakers' living arrangement. Previous roommates have included Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., and former Defense secretary and CIA chief Leon Panetta (when the Californian was a member of Congress).
Miller owns the house, which The Washington Post reported he purchased in 1977 for $90,000.
Another key difference between Web TV and real life: The four main characters of Alpha House are Republicans. And fictional Sen. Andy Guzman, played by Mark Consuelos, is very loosely based on Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Trudeau was quick to note that Rubio has "a different home life" than Guzman, a divorced womanizer who wants to be president.
Follow @ccamia on Twitter.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
it just so happens that i married one of the best gift givers in the universe. andrew's gifts are always very personal, usually customized and quite often a total surprise. this gift was no different from the rest. shortly after jamie and i started ban.do, my grandma passed away, so i flew to florida for the funeral and spent a few days with my family. while i was gone andrew went and ordered me a vanity plate. it's so l.a. in the 80's isn't it? well it finally arrived and he was nice enough to let me put it on his old caddy (as i thought it just wouldn't look as cool on a 7 year old jetta wagon). now all i have to do is drum up the courage to drive the darn thing. it's a tank, or a boat, or something that makes me feel like i should be sitting on phone books while in the driver's seat. i'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
ban.do caddy
Posted by jen gotch at 7:07 AM
15 comments:
- The Wanderers' Daughter said...
Ni-i-ice. Very '80s-music-video.
- December 16, 2008 at 11:23 AM
- cindy : quaint said...
that is the nicest thing to do. and, it looks fierce on that caddie!
- December 16, 2008 at 12:28 PM
- the purcells said...
that is absolutely adorable!! Nice work andrew.
- December 16, 2008 at 1:36 PM
- Linnéa said...
great photo!!
- December 16, 2008 at 1:48 PM
- melly said...
that is indeed sweet and personal, oh you have to take it out for a ride!
- December 16, 2008 at 2:46 PM
- bronwyn said...
That is awesome! I would be afraid to drive the Caddy as well.
- December 16, 2008 at 4:28 PM
- I *Heart* You said...
so sorry about your grandmother. that caddy and plate combo is about the most awesome thing ever. you also need to roll the windows down and blare some fantastically 80's cheeseball song.
- December 16, 2008 at 6:19 PM
- Decor Fellow: James Saavedra said...
Oh what a lucky gal! :)
- December 16, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Hellz yeah!
That shitz' pimp 'yo!
- December 17, 2008 at 7:22 AM
- Elements of Style said...
What an AWESOME gift!!!!
- December 17, 2008 at 7:32 AM
Andrew would get this..... Not the bl00dy Kingswood!!! An old Aussie show. Huge heart for a man to let you mess with his caddy. Love you blog, your photo's from you hotel room in France looking out gave me inspiration for our photo's o/s. My shots were amazing, thanks for looking at life from a different angle and showing us the results. Carlo's better half.
- December 17, 2008 at 2:11 PM
- pia said...
fab car, fab number plates (what a sweetheart), and luscious photo! i'm about to head to sydney for christmas so just stopping by now to say merry christmas and happy new year to you dear jen! px
- December 18, 2008 at 5:04 AM
- coco+kelley said...
what an AWESEOME gift! so thoughtful, and fun!
- December 18, 2008 at 10:35 AM
- Molly said...
I love you people.
- December 19, 2008 at 12:20 AM
- Holly said...
SO rad!
- December 21, 2008 at 12:26 PM


text:
BANNER ELK, N.C. - Trailing 28-19 at the half, Pfeiffer University stormed back for 45 second half points stealing a 64-57 victory in Conference Carolinas women's basketball action at Lees-McRae College on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Falcons win their fourth-straight overall, including all three on the recent road trip, to improve to 15-3 overall, 10-3 in league play. The loss for the Bobcats drops them to 7-10, 5-9.
The rally started with just 7:10 remaining in the second half as the Lady Falcons found themselves down by 10 in a 50-40 hole. A jumper by Brittany Cox started and finished a 9-0 run while a three-ball from Jodie Lemons and pair of free throws by Christina Harvey aided the run. Free throws would keep the Bobcats ahead by no more than three until Harvey hit a pair of free throws with 1:58 remaining gave Pfeiffer a 57-56 lead. Harvey and Cox would then account for the final six points in a 64-57 win.
Cox and Harvey each posted double-doubles for the Lady Falcons in the come-from-behind win. Cox scored 26 with 12 rebounds on nearly 50% shooting from the floor going 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Harvey tossed in 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting with a dozen rebounds as well. Lauren Lewis led the Bobcats with 20 points in 38 minutes of play.
Pfeiffer quickly gets back to action on Monday night hosting Belmont Abbey inside the Merner Gym at 5:30 p.m. Live stats/video will be available, free of charge, courtesy of http://www.gofalconsports.com.


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Bradley Manning: I made noose after 2010 arrest
Updated at 5:22 p.m. ET
FORT MEADE, Md. As a military prosecutor held up a knotted bedsheet in court, Pfc. Bradley Manning acknowledged on Friday that he fashioned a noose and contemplated suicide shortly after his arrest on charges of engineering the biggest leak of classified material in U.S. history.
The pretrial testimony appeared to support the military's argument that it was trying to protect the former Army intelligence analyst from harming himself by keeping him in strict isolation, taking away his clothes and shackling him when he was outside his cell.
Manning's lawyers argue that the conditions he experienced for nine months at the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Va., amounted to illegal punishment, lasting well past the time he was having suicidal thoughts, and that the charges against him should be dropped as a result.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Maj. Ashden Fein, Manning was shown a peach-colored sheet that had been twisted into large knots. He testified that he fashioned the noose while being held in Kuwait soon after he was arrested and accused of leaking reams of secret military and diplomatic documents to the secret-spilling website WikiLeaks.
Manning, 24, said his time in Kuwait was the lowest he felt during his entire confinement.
"I certainly made a noose," the former intelligence analyst said. "The sheet noose in particular."
When he was transferred to the brig at Quantico in July 2010, he said, he wrote on his intake form that he was "always planning and never acting" upon suicidal thoughts. He was classified a suicide risk for eight days, then was upgraded to the less-restrictive "prevention of injury" status.
- Bradley Manning: I thought I'd die in custody
- Bradley Manning's proposed plea OK'd by judge
- Bradley Manning's lawyers: He's been punished enough
Manning maintains that neither designation was appropriate because he didn't feel like hurting himself after leaving Kuwait.
Quantico commanders maintained the extra restrictions despite repeated recommendations by brig psychiatrists that they be eased. Among other things, he was given scratchy, suicide-prevention bedding. Sometimes all his possessions, including his underwear and eyeglasses, were removed from his cell.
Manning testified Friday that he stood at naked attention for morning count one day in 2011 after a guard appeared to object to his use of a blanket to cover himself. He said he had been put on "suicide risk" the previous day after making a motion as if to hit himself in the head during a heated discussion with the brig commander about his confinement.
The testimony marked the first time military prosecutors went face-to-face with Manning in court.
The 5-foot-3 soldier looked youthful in his dark-blue dress uniform, close-cropped hair and rimless eyeglasses. He was animated, often speaking in emphatic bursts, swiveling in the witness chair and gesturing with his hands.
On Friday morning, as on previous days, there were more than a dozen Manning supporters in the courtroom.
The mood was lighter than on Thursday, the first time he spoke in public since his arrest in May 2010. Manning appeared relaxed on the stand and frequently smiled. He provoked laughter when he described his grading system for Quantico guards on weekly questionnaires: "decent" when he was unhappy with his treatment, "excellent" or "fine" otherwise.
Manning was an intelligence analyst in Baghdad in 2009 and 2010.
He is accused of sending WikiLeaks more than 250,000 diplomatic cables, classified memos, Iraq and Afghanistan war logs, Guantanamo Bay prison records and a 2007 video clip of a U.S. helicopter crew gunning down 11 men later found to have included a news photographer. The Pentagon said its troops mistook the camera equipment for weapons.
Manning is charged with offenses including violating espionage and computer security laws as well as aiding the enemy, which alone is punishable by up to life in prison.
He has offered to plead guilty to eight of the 22 charges against him, but the military judge presiding over the case has yet to decide whether to accept the plea. The government could still prosecute Manning on all counts.


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A higher incidence of depressive disorders and symptoms has been suggested among children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Yet, the extent to which OSA is related to increased depression is unclear.
To evaluate (a) the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA in pediatric populations, and (b) the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy (AT) for decreasing depressive symptoms among children with OSA.
A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA, and the efficacy of AT for decreasing depressive symptoms. Studies reporting depressive symptoms of children with OSA through January 2013 were included.
Eleven studies assessed depressive symptoms in both children diagnosed with OSA (n = 894) and a comparison group (n = 1,096). A medium relationship was found between depressive symptoms and OSA (Hedges' g = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22-0.64; p = 0.0005). Addressing the second question, 9 studies (n = 379 children) examined depressive symptoms pre- and post-AT. A medium improvement in depressive symptoms was found at follow-up (Hedge's g = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.62; p ≤ 0.001).
Our findings suggest that depressive symptoms are higher among children with OSA. Therefore, patients with depressive symptomatology should receive screening for sleep disordered breathing. Treatment of OSA with AT might decrease clinical symptoms of depression, reduce pharmacotherapy, improve sleep patterns, and promote better health.
Yilmaz E; Sedky K; Bennett DS. The relationship between depressive symptoms and obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric populations: a meta-analysis. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(11):1213-1220.
Childhood depression is a significant problem that may lead to elevated psychosocial problems and physical disabilities.1 Adolescents with depression have an added risk of suicide and substance abuse.1 Subclinical depressive symptoms have also been associated with similar health problems including, poor quality of life, smoking and substance abuse, and future clinical depression.2–4 Depression affects approximately 1% of preschoolers, 2% of school-aged children, and 5% to 8% of adolescents in community samples and is a risk factor for noncompliance with medical treatment.5,6
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children represents a spectrum of disorders ranging in severity from primary snoring to more severe forms such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).7 OSA, which is best assessed by full-night polysomnography, affects up to 2% of children, while subtle "subclinical" forms of SDB may affect many more.7–9 Although OSA is thought to be equally prevalent among both genders in childhood, the incidence of OSA increases gradually during adolescence when it becomes more common among males.10
In the adult literature, inconsistencies about the relation between depression and OSA exist. For example, Guilleminault et al. reported a high rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms (24%) among adults with OSA.11 In contrast, some studies did not find such a relation. Bardwell and colleagues, for example, reported that the relation between depressive symptoms and OSA was no longer significant after controlling for age, body mass index (BMI), and hypertension.12 The child literature is similarly inconsistent. Differences in diagnostic methods and criteria to identify OSA and its severity, as well as differences in how depressive symptoms are assessed, may affect the magnitude of the effect size (ES) between depressive symptoms and OSA.
Due to the inconsistent relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA, further research is needed to address the extent to which these problems are related. Enhanced understanding of the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA may have important clinical implications. The use of antidepressant medications in children is controversial as they have limited efficacy,13 adverse events are common,14 and as a result medications are often considered only for severe cases or in those with a partial or non-response to therapy. At least in a subpopulation of children and adolescents presenting with depressive symptoms, screening for OSA may suggest alternative causes and treatment of depressive symptoms, preventing significant distress, disability, and financial loss. As the most common cause of OSA in children is enlargement of adenoids and/or tonsils, the first line of treatment involves adenotonsillectomy (AT),15 which might lead to significant decreases in depressive symptoms for those with OSA.
Using meta-analysis, we sought to examine (a) the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA in children and adolescents, and (b) the effectiveness of AT on reducing depressive symptoms for children and adolescents with OSA.
The PubMed/Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar data bases were searched using the terms "adenotonsillectomy," "sleep disordered breathing," "SDB," "obstructive sleep apnea," "OSA" and "depression," "depressive symptoms," "mood," crossed by "child," "children," and "adolescents." English-language studies through January 2013 were examined.
Selection of the articles was conducted by the first author (EY) and revised by the second (KS). Coded information included: sample size, age, gender, BMI, and study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.16 Studies of patients up to age 18 years were included in the meta-analysis (0-18 years old; no study was included if the oldest individual was older than 18).
Although there are several proposed methods to diagnose OSA, the gold standard diagnostic test remains polysomnography (PSG).17 Thus, in addressing our first question (i.e., the extent of a relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA), studies needed to include both PSG and a depression assessment measure in both the OSA and comparison groups. Twenty-two published studies were initially identified: 11 were excluded: 4 due to lack of the use of PSG to detect OSA (one lacked PSG in the control group18),19–22 4 for the absence of a depression measure,23–26 1 lacked a comparison group,27 and 1 was excluded due to division of groups into snorers versus non-snorers, without assessing for OSA.28 Eleven studies satisfied the inclusion criteria.1,29–38 To avoid publication bias, our team searched for unpublished data including dissertations. Two unpublished dissertations were found; one was excluded due to the lack of a depression measure,39 and the other for the lack of PSG.40 Of the 11 included studies, 8 were dependent on the parent/caregiver to complete the forms, of which 4 also included teacher ratings of depressive symptoms. Three studies used child reports of depressive symptoms (see Table 1). Examining specific measures, 7 studies used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), 2 of which also used the Teacher Report Form (TRF). Three other studies used the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and one used the Behavior Assessment Scale for Children (BASC).
Demographic information by group and the scale used
(more ...)
In the second part of the study, we examined whether depressive symptoms improved following AT. The follow-ups were conducted between 1.5 and 6 months post-surgery. Seventeen articles were identified, of which 9 were included in the meta-analysis.18,34,41–47 Of the 8 excluded studies, 2 were excluded due to lack of PSG,48,49 one for the use of respiratory sinus arrhythmia rather than PSG,50 and 5 due to lack of a depression measure.51–55 In all 9 included studies, parents/caregivers were the source of children's depressive symptom ratings, with one also including teacher ratings. Four studies used the CBCL and 5 used the BASC.
All statistics included mean values with their standard deviation (SD). Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 2.0 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ) software program. ES was calculated using Hedges' g and a random effects model, as is appropriate when there is heterogeneity in methodology among analyzed studies. Depressive symptom scores were compared between OSA and comparison groups in the first part, while pre- and post-adenotonsillectomy depressive symptom levels were compared in the second part of the study.
In the first part of the study, 11 studies were included; a total of 894 children in the OSA group and 1,096 in the comparison group. After excluding one study in each group that did not report gender data, the overall percentage of males was 57.83% (447/773) in the OSA group and 47.98% (476/992) in the comparison group. The mean unweighted age for the 10 studies in the OSA group was 8.85 ± 2.63 years, compared to 8.92 ± 2.38 for the comparison group.
A significant relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA was found. Hedges' g was 0.43 (95% CI = 0.22-0.64; p = 0.00005; see Figure 1), indicating a medium relationship.56 Testing for heterogeneity, the Q value with 10 d.f. was 20.46, signifying mild heterogeneity across studies, while I2 was 51.13, p = 0.03, indicating moderate inconsistency among studies. When excluding one study that included children previously diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,34 the overall ES remained similar; 0.39 (95% CI = 0.18-0.60; p = 0.0002; see Figure 1). Testing for heterogeneity, the Q value with 9 d.f. was 17.39, again signifying mild heterogeneity across studies, while I2 was 48.24, p = 0.04. In addition, Kendall's tau = 0.05; this suggests that the standard errors of the means and the effect sizes were independent, indicating that there was not significant publication bias. To examine the ES of depressive symptoms separately in children with OSA versus those with primary snoring (PS), 4 studies were identified that included both OSA and primary snoring groups.29,32,37,57 While 3 of these studies used as criteria the presence of snoring and an AHI < 1 to diagnose PS, Crabtree and colleagues used a criteria of "mild OSA" for their snoring group. A nonsignificant ES was found in comparing children with OSA to those with PS (Hedges' g = 0.04, p = 0.76, Figure 2), indicating that depressive symptoms are similarly elevated among children with PS as well as OSA. This was consistent after including only the 3 studies that satisfied the strict criteria of PS (Hedges' g = 0.06, p = 0.73).
Group A represents the OSA group, while group B represents the depression group. *Groups having sleep disordered breathing (which is OSA with primary snoring) not only OSA. OSA, obstructive sleep apnea; LL, lower limit; UL, upper limit.
The relationship between OSA and depression. Group A represents the OSA group, while group B represents the depression group. *Groups having sleep disordered breathing (which is OSA with primary snoring) not only OSA. OSA, obstructive sleep apnea; LL, lower limit; UL, upper limit.
OSA group are patients diagnosed with OSA, while PS group are children with primary snoring. OSA, obstructive sleep apnea; PS, primary snoring; LL, lower limit; UL, upper limit; Dep Sx, depressive symptoms.
Difference in effect size between children with OSA and children with PS. OSA group are patients diagnosed with OSA, while PS group are children with primary snoring. OSA, obstructive sleep apnea; PS, primary snoring; LL, lower limit; UL, upper limit; Dep Sx, depressive symptoms.
While the relatively small number of studies limited our ability to identify significant moderators of the relation between depressive symptoms and OSA, we did explore several potential moderators using the mean weighted ESs. Gender was found to be a significant moderator as studies having a higher percentage of males had higher ESs (beta = 0.66, p = 0.03). Thus, the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA appears to be stronger for boys than for girls. None of the other potential moderators were significant: average group age (beta = 0.07, p = 0.83), BMI (beta = -0.31, p = 0.43), or study quality (beta = 0.47; p = 0.13).
In the second part of the study, 379 children across nine studies were assessed for depressive symptoms both pre- and post-surgery. Demographics of this group are presented in Table 2. The overall ES change between pre- versus post-surgery was 0.41 (95% CI = 0.20-0.62; p ≤ 0.001; see Figure 3), indicating a medium improvement56 occurred in depressive symptoms after AT. Testing for heterogeneity, the Q value with 8 d.f. was 16.11, again signifying mild heterogeneity across studies, while I2 was 50.34, p = 0.04, indicating moderate inconsistencies between studies. Of the 9 studies, 7 studies found ESs greater in the post-AT period compared to pre-surgery (ES = 0.54; p ≤ 0.001). One study found a negative effect size (ES = -0.94, 99% CI = -1.98-0.10; p = 0.08), while another found essentially no improvement following surgery (ES = -0.07; Figure 3). Of note, the largest ESs tended to be observed in studies that did not have a comparison group. Among the 3 studies that did have a comparison group, one showed mild improvement in the AT group compared to controls, the second showed no change, while the third showed worsening of symptoms after AT.
Demographic information of the clinical group undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT) pre- and post-surgery
LL, lower limit; UL, upper limit.
Pre- and post-adenotonsillectomy depression/anxiety. LL, lower limit; UL, upper limit.
This study found a medium relation between depressive symptoms in children with OSA, with an ES of 0.45. This relationship was moderated by gender, as males showed a stronger relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA. In addition, children were found to exhibit fewer depressive symptoms after AT compared to pre-surgery, with an ES of 0.41. In the TuCASA study, 63 children suffering from RDI in the higher 15% were compared to 340 children suffering from the other 85% gradient.58 Higher anxious/depressed values were observed as assessed by CBCL in children suffering the severe form of OSA (55.3 ± 7.9 vs 54.4 ± 7.7), with an ES of 0.12 and variance = 0.02.
The underlying etiological mechanisms for the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA remains poorly understood, although there are several possible explanations. OSA is associated with blood oxygen desaturation, which may cause micro-awakenings at night, decrease the slow wave stage, and cause restless sleep, thus leading to daytime fatigue and depressive symptoms.59,60 Hypoxia from desaturation might also lead to structural changes in the brain that in turn lead to depressive symptoms.61 In one study, lower blood oxygen desaturation gradients correlated with more profound depressive symptoms among patients with OSA.62 It is also possible that hormonal changes associated with OSA can lead to depressive symptoms. For example, among children with metabolic syndrome, those with OSA were found to exhibit higher leptin levels than those without OSA, suggesting leptin insensitivity in this population (i.e., with leptin insensitivity and relatively lower levels, this leads to increased appetite and weight gain).63 Given that leptin is involved in regulating food intake, leptin insensitivity may lead to obesity. Due to low self-esteem associated with body image and obesity, children and adolescents (especially females) might develop depression.64 Leptin levels normalized after 3 months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Alternatively, obesity may contribute to both depressive symptoms and OSA. Obesity is a risk factor for both OSA10 and depression, although the effect of obesity on depression may be greater among adults.65 Obese children are often bullied and can have associated decreased mobility, thus, presenting with higher levels of internalizing symptoms secondary to their appearance (each of which can lead to the other).66,67 More severe OSA was found among obese children than normal-weight children with OSA and those with PS.57,68 Depressive symptoms were also significantly higher in the obese group than the other 2 groups. Likewise, obese patients can have fat deposition around the neck, hypotonia of airway muscles, and limited lung volumes leading to OSA,10 so it is possible that the associations between depressive symptoms and obesity with OSA may be caused by distinct mechanisms.
The effect of depression leading to obesity and worsening OSA has also been reported. Some depressed children have a higher tendency to overeat, have less energy leading to a sedentary lifestyle, and are socially isolated, possibly leading to weight gain and worsening of OSA.69 In addition, OSA has been linked to low serotonin levels, which is associated with depression, to sleep cycle irregularity, a known risk factor for depression, and to upper airway tone dyscontrol, also a risk factor for OSA.61
We found the relation between depressive symptoms and OSA to be greatest in studies with a higher proportion of males. The incidence of both OSA and depression occur equally in preschool children.70 However a higher incidence of depression in females is observed in the post-pubertal period compared to males. OSA, on the other hand, occurs at a higher prevalence and more severe level in males than females after puberty, possibly suggesting a role of anthropometric face bony structure and female hormones as a protective factor to OSA.71 Usually males have coarse bony structures with possibly narrower airway. A dramatic increase in OSA risk occurs in postmenopausal women; this risk was decreased with hormone replacement therapy.71 Of note, some research has found obesity to be more strongly associated with depression in males than females during adolescence.72 This raises the possibility that while the BMI itself did not predict the ES between depressive symptoms and OSA in the current study, obesity and gender may interact such that obese boys with OSA are at greatest risk for increased depressive symptoms. Of note, however, most studies had similar proportions of males and females with the exception of Huang et al., who had a high proportion of males and a high ES. Thus, given that the significant moderator effect of gender on the relation between depressive symptoms and OSA was largely due to this one study, replication of this finding is needed.
Adenotonsillectomy, the main treatment for OSA in children, was associated with decreased depressive symptoms compared to pre-surgery levels. The effect size was fairly consistent across studies, with the exception of a large negative effect size found in one study of only 7 patients.18 Also of note, the ESs appeared to be lower among the 3 that had a comparison group, raising the possibility that some of the observed decrease in depressive symptoms could be related to regression to the mean or due to the effects of administering a measure of depressive symptoms over multiple time points,73 highlighting the need for future studies to include comparison groups of children who did not receive adenotonsillectomy. Although the exact mechanism for this improvement is unclear, improved oxygenation and nighttime sleep might explain children's improvement in depressive symptoms. It is not clear if hormonal normalization (e.g., leptin) might contribute to long-term improvements in children's depressive symptoms. However, weight gain is not an uncommon outcome post-AT surgery in the short term (i.e., within a 6-month period).74 Accordingly, it is possible that such weight gain (usually a change of more than 10%-15% of the baseline weight) would actually contribute to the worsening of OSA and depression in the post-surgery period. It remains unclear whether this weight gain would contribute to the worsening of OSA and relapse and/or worsening of the depressive symptoms later on. Of importance to note, although AT improves the severity of the OSA in most children, it might not cure it in many cases, necessitating reevaluation of possible residual OSA.75 Another treatment option in this population is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Although there are limited studies relating CPAP to depressive symptoms in children, controversies exists in adults. In a study involving 51 patients with OSA treated with CPAP, depressive and anxiety symptoms decreased after 1 and 3 months of treatment.76 However, in a double-blind, placebo control study, CPAP treatment dramatically decreased AHI but had no effect on depressed mood.77 A limitation of these studies included small sample sizes and assessment of depression shortly after treatment duration possibly affecting the outcome.
Finally, OSA in children and in adults has been associated with poor concentration and negative effects on behavior and mood.78,79 A recent meta-analysis80 found a slightly greater relation between sleep disordered breathing and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms (Hedges' g = 0.57) than was found between OSA and depressive symptoms in the current meta-analysis, indicating that OSA may be related to a variety of psychiatric symptoms. As such, this highlights the importance of screening for emotional and behavioral adjustment among children with OSA.
Several limitations to this study exist. First, several studies included children with PS in the OSA group, possibly lowering the ES for the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA.1,30,35,36,81 However, when the 4 studies including children with PS were compared to OSA children as measured by depressive symptoms, the ES was almost zero (Hedges' g = 0.04, p = 0.76),29,32,37,57 indicating that the inclusion of children with PS likely did not lower the strength of relationship between OSA and depressive symptoms. This was maintained when incorporating only the 3 studies that used the strict criteria for PS. Second, all of the included studies used either the BASC or CBCL depression scales, which are not necessarily the most comprehensive measures of depressive symptoms in children. The CBCL "anxious/depressed" subscale, for example, includes anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Moreover, studies of depressive symptoms and OSA have largely relied on parent ratings of depressive symptoms, but self-reports may be more valid for depressive symptom assessment, particularly among adolescents.82 Some depression scales might have better validity than those previously used in this literature. For example, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)83 and the Beck Depression Inventory for adolescents might be preferred.84 On a related note, none of the included studies used a diagnostic interview, which would be the best measure of a diagnosis of depression.85 Inclusion of a diagnostic interview that included the assessment of other psychiatric problems (e.g., anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders) that may be comorbid to depression86 would be helpful to both assess the relation of OSA to clinical depression as well as the extent to which OSA is specific to depression versus other psychiatric problems. A recent meta-analysis, for example, found SDB to have a similar, medium relation to ADHD symptoms as the current meta-analysis found for depressive symptoms.78 Third, the relatively modest number of studies included in the current meta-analysis limits our ability to identify moderators of the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA. Finally, the definition of OSA varied across studies as some used 1/h as the cutoff, while others used 5/hour. This might suggest that children with milder forms of OSA (AHI between 1-5/h) have the strongest relationship to depressive symptoms. Thus, using a cutoff of AHI of 5/h or more might bias the relationship outcome.
Overall, the current study indicates that there is a medium relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA among children and adolescents. Treatment of depression includes primarily psychotherapy in mild to moderate cases, while psychopharmacological agents (e.g., antidepressant medications) can be used in more severe or therapy unresponsive cases.87 However, medication side effects, especially the debated risk of elevated rates of suicide in child populations, may limit the viability of medication as a treatment option.87 This meta-analysis suggests that depressive symptoms might improve in children having comorbid OSA, without the need for directly treating the depressive symptoms.
This meta-analysis also highlights the importance of screening for depressive symptoms in children presenting with OSA. Yet, well-controlled research is needed. Ideally, children from multiple clinics should be involved, with standardization of diagnostic criteria for OSA and exclusion of those with PS, given that the relationship with PS and depressive symptoms are not well delineated. Close monitoring of the AHI, as well as depressive symptoms before and after AT, and comparison of depressive symptoms in those with cured OSA versus those with residual symptoms will address more accurately whether a decrease in depressive symptoms directly coincides with a decrease in OSA. Despite the need for more research, this meta-analysis suggests that treating OSA may improve children's depressive symptoms, possibly avoiding the need for psychopharmacological treatment.
This was not an industry supported study. The authors have indicated no financial conflicts of interest.
The authors would like to thank Dr. Ron Mitchell and his team for providing supplemental data from their published studies that were included in the meta-analysis.
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The Diary of Anne Frank A young girl comes of age while hiding from the Nazis. MORE > $12.95 Regularly $19.99 Buy Now
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Brief Synopsis
A young girl comes of age while hiding from the Nazis.
As a truckload of war survivors stops in front of an Amsterdam factory at the end of World War II, Otto Frank, a lone, dejected figure gets out and walks inside. After climbing the stairs to a deserted garret, Otto finds a girl's discarded glove and sobs, then is joined and comforted by Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler, factory workers who shielded him from the Nazis. After tonelessly stating that he is now all alone, Otto begins to search for the diary written by his youngest daughter Anne. Miep promptly retrieves the journal for Otto, and he receives solace reading the words written by his thirteen-year-old daughter three years earlier: The date is July 1942, and Anne begins by chronicling the restrictions placed upon Jews that drove the Franks, Otto, his wife Edith and their daughters Margot and Anne, into hiding over the spice factory. Sharing the Franks' hiding place are Hans and Petronela Van Daan and their teenage son Peter. Kraler, who works in the office below, and Miep, his assistant, have arranged the hideaway and warn the families that they must maintain strict silence during daylight hours when the workers are there. On the first day, the minutes drag by in silence. After work, Kraler delivers food and a box for Anne compiled by her father, which contains her beloved photos of movie stars and a blank diary. In the first pages of the diary, Anne describes the strangeness of never being able to go outside or breathe fresh air. As the months pass, Anne's irrepressible energy reasserts itself and she constantly teases Peter, whose only attachment is to his cat, Moushie. Isolated from the world outside, Otto schools Anne and Margot as the sounds of sirens and bombers frequently fill the air. Mrs. Van Daan passes the time by recounting fond memories of her youth and stroking her one remaining possession, the fur coat given to her by her father. The strain of confinement causes the Van Daans to argue and pits the strong-willed Anne against her mother. One day, Kraler brings a radio to the attic, providing the families with ears onto the world. Soon after, Kraler asks them to take in another person, a Jewish dentist named Albert Dussell. When Van Daan complains that the addition will diminish their food supply, Dussell recounts the dire conditions outside, in which Jews suddenly disappear and are shipped to concentration camps. When Dussell confirms the disappearance of many of their friends, the families' hopes are dimmed. One night, Anne dreams of seeing one of her friends in a concentration camp and wakes up screaming. In October 1942, news comes of the Allied landing in Africa, but rather than producing relief, the bombing outside the factory intensifies, fraying the refugees' already ragged nerves. On Hanukkah, Margot longingly recalls past celebrations and Anne produces little presents for everyone. When Van Daan abruptly announces that Peter must get rid of Moushie because he consumes too much food, Anne protests. Their argument is cut short when they hear a prowler breaks in the front door and the room falls silent. Peter then sends an object crashing to the floor while trying to catch Moushie, and the startled thief grabs a typewriter and flees. A watchman notices the break-in and summons two Gestapo officers, who search the premises, shining their flashlights onto the bookcase that conceals the attic entrance. The families wait in terror until Moushie knocks a plate from the table and meows, reassuring the officers that the noise was caused by a common cat. After the officers leave, Otto, hoping to foster faith and courage, leads everyone in a Hanukkah song. In January 1944, Anne, on the threshold of womanhood, begins to attract Peter's attention. When Miep brings the group a cake, Dussell and Van Daan bicker over the size of their portions and then Van Daan asks Miep to sell his wife's fur coat so that he can buy cigarettes. After Kraler warns that one of his employees asked for a raise and implied that something strange is going on in the attic, Dussell dourly comments that it is just a matter of time before they are discovered. Anne, distraught, blames the adults for the war which has destroyed all sense of hope and ideals. When she storms out of the room, Peter follows and comforts her. Later, Anne confides her dreams of becoming a writer and Peter voices frustration about his inability to join the war effort. In April 1944, amid talk of liberation, the Franks watch helplessly as more Jews are marched through the streets. Tensions mount, and when Van Daan tries to steal some bread from the others, Edith denounces him and orders him to leave. As Dussell and Van Daan quarrel over food, word comes over the radio of the Normandy invasion and Van Daan breaks into tears of shame. Heartened by the news, everyone apologizes for their harsh words, and Anne dreams of being back in school by the fall. By July 1944, the invasion has bogged down and Kraler is hospitalized with ulcers. Upon hearing that the Gestapo has found the stolen typewriter, Anne writes that her diary provides her a way to go on living after her death. After the Van Daans begin to quarrel once more, Peter declares that he cannot tolerate the situation and Anne soothes him by reminding him of the goodness of those that have come to their aid. Their conversation is interrupted by the sirens of an approaching Gestapo truck. As Anne and Peter bravely stand arm in arm certain of their impending arrest, they passionately kiss. As the German soldiers break down the bookcase entrance to the hideout, Otto declares they no longer have to live in fear, but can go forward in hope. Back in the present, Otto tells Miep and Kraler that on his long journey home after his release from the concentration camp he learned how Edith, Margot and the others perished, but always held out hope that perhaps Anne had somehow survived. Otto sadly reveals that only the previous day in Rotterdam he met a woman who had been in Bergen-Belsen with Anne and confirmed her death. Otto then glances at Anne's diary and reads, "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart," and reflects upon his daughter's unshakeable optimism.
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Additional Details
|MPAA Ratings:
|Premiere Info:
|New York premiere: 18 Mar 1959
|Release Date:
|Production Date:
A George Stevens Production
|Black and White
|Distributions Co:
|Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
|4-Track Stereo (magnetic prints), Mono (optical prints)
|Production Co:
|Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
|United States
|not available
|not available
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Go Ask Anne
Larry Welk 2018-03-30
It is sad that A.F. never got to enjoy the legacy that this movie made of the diary which was in her father's custody & management. In the... MORE>
Doesn't anyone to screen these reviews
Flyfisk 2018-03-28
Jack. Off MORE>
The Diary of Anne Frank
Michael Whitty 2018-01-17
The name of Anne Frank has reverberated around the world after the world heard of her family's hiding place in Amsterdam during World War II. This... MORE>


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All stats are recorded as reported by the coaches. If you believe a stat is incorrect, check the game by game stats on the individual teams' page and report which games have discrepancies to the coach.
League: Free-Lance/Non-CIF Schools
Division: 10
Overall Record: 0-1-0
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* = Game decided by "Kicks from the mark during a tournament"
|Game Type
|Opponent & Game Information
|at Cathedral (21-3-5)
Point Loma Game Stats
Cathedral Game Stats
Goals/Assists: Arrieta, Omar (1/1); Lugo, Alejandro (2/1); Morales, Oscar (0/1);
Goalkeeper(s) (GA/Saves/Mins): Muñoz, Adrian (1/6/80);
|Birth Place
|No players currently listed.
|No players currently listed.
|No players currently listed.
The Southern California High School Soccer Coaches Association plays an important part with the organizations that influence the sport of high school soccer (e.g. Officials, CIF, rules changes, etc.). The Association is the conduit that keeps the membership informed about what is happening at the CIF-SS, division and league levels. Some of the other key benefits of joining the Association include:
Ready to join? Click here! For additional information, contact your division coordinator.
Are you new to the site or having trouble logging in?
The first thing you need to know, is that the Coach's Association has decided to restrict access to Coach's area to PAID members only. Click here for more information on paying your dues.
After you have paid your dues AND receipt of the dues has been confirmed by the Association Treasurer, Bryan Middleton, you will receive a message from the system telling you that you are approved. Be sure to allow messages from socalsoccer.org in your spam filters! After receiving that confirmation, do NOT create a new account! you can login with the password you set when creating your account. If you have forgotten your password, you can use the Reset Password link in the login box. You will be emailed a temporary password that will work to get you into the system where you can then reset your password and update any other information that needs it.


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Picture: Tony Kanal - Celebrities outside the Fonda Theatre for a Tom Petty concert - Hollywood, United States - Wednesday 5th June 2013
Veteran rocker Tom Petty will receive the prestigious Founders title at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' (ASCAP) Pop Music Awards next month (Apr14).
The legendary musician will be celebrated for his outstanding career success, which has spanned 45 years.
A statement issued by Paul Williams, Ascap president and chairman, reads: "Tom is the very definition of an American music icon. Not only is he one of the most admired and beloved songwriters of our time, his music continues to be a major influence and inspiration to new generations of songwriters today.
"He has earned music's highest honors - Grammys, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the distinction of being one of the bestselling artists of all time."
Previous honorees include Billy Joel, Sir Paul MCCartney, Carly Simon, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.
Meanwhile, pop group fun. will be presented with the Ascap Vanguard prize at the Pop Music Awards in recognition of their impact on the American music industry.
The ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on 23 April (14).
When picking a protagonist for a movie as massively pulp as this filmwas, a good...


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Fifa's chief investigator Michael Garcia is expected to interview all the remaining members of the executive committee who took part in the controversial vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Only 11 of the 24 members, plus the Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who took part in the vote in December 2010 are still on the committee, with the others having either retired or in some cases been banned or resigned while under investigation.
Last September, Garcia said his probe into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups would see investigators interview representatives of every bid team and interviews have already taken place with a number of officials who worked on England's unsuccessful 2018 bid.
Sources connected to the world governing body say Garcia is now expected to interview those 12 executive committee members who are still in office.
It comes after a report that the FBI is investigating payments from a company owned by Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam to fellow former Fifa member Jack Warner and his family. Both men left Fifa in disgrace following a 2011 corruption scandal.
The former head of Australia's unsuccessful bid for the 2022 tournament said he hoped the investigation would come up with "the right answers".
Frank Lowy said he still hoped Fifa would refund the £25m of public money spent on the Australian bid if Fifa moves the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter.
Lowy said: "It is generally known that the process was not exactly a good one, to say the least.
"I've read the papers and while I would not use the word 'corruption', I think the process wasn't quite clear to everybody and the jury is still out.
"It was not a level playing field and I said at the time that we had not heard the last word about the process.
"I still don't think it is going to go away. These stories are coming up from time to time and until Fifa makes the final decision it will regurgitate each time."
In terms of a winter World Cup, Lowy added: "I feel if Fifa changes the date, then I think they hope to refund the people that bid on a certain time [in the summer]. Whether we get the money back or not is hard to say, but I certainly put the claim in."
Qatar's 2022 World Cup organising committee said its bid committee strictly adhered to Fifa's bidding regulations.


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Dr. Mary Beth Hardwicke
Dr. Hardwicke is a Clinical Professor of Medicine on the staff of Wayne State University School of Medicine. She received her B.S. in Zoology with High Distinction from the University of Michigan in 1980 and her Medical Degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1984.
She then completed 3 years of Internal Medicine Residency training, serving as the Chief Medical Resident during the last year. She graduated residency and became Board Certified in Internal Medicine in 1987.
Early Career
She spent the 1st 10 years of her career in Medical Education, training medical students and residents in the specialty of Internal Medicine. She went on to form her own business and worked with 3 colleagues in a highly respected Internal Medicine practice for 16 years.
She retired in September 2013 to spend more time with her family in Northern Michigan. During her career, she has been the recipient of numerous awards, including multiple nominations as a "Top Doc" in Detroit Hour Magazine, the "Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award" from Wayne State University, and being named as "One of the Best Primary Care Physicians in the Country" by Town and Country Magazine.
She hopes to spend her retirement years continuing her love of providing medical education here in Northern Michigan.
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Why Synpulse
We support the training and development of our employees
We live by the principle of life-long learning: Our AcademyProgram® guarantees on-going training at the highest level. Each employee has 15-30 days of training per year and our Buddy- and Mentor-Concept ensure that each employee receives individual and targeted training.
Open communication and transparency – a high priority
We have an open door policy which knows no boundaries. If help is needed, colleagues are on hand to assist and advise. Mutual support and collegiality are the foundations of fairness and a positive working environment.
From co-worker to friend
It's not just about work. Excursions and events are an integral part of our company calendar. The Synpulse family grows closer together while skiing, playing chess, or attending the opera. But there isn't a master plan – ideas are welcome from anybody anytime!
«TOP Company» & «OPEN Company» seal of approval for highly regarded employers
Kununu is a platform that allows its users to anonymously rate employers. Feedback is welcomed not only from employees but also from students and trainees.
Together we set new standards
It's not only our expertise which makes us stand out; we are also willing to take on responsibility. This includes showing initiative and creativity particularly in difficult situations. We realize our projects with deep commitment and in close cooperation with our clients.
We show initiative, we push our ideas to the max and accept the challenge
We are committed body and soul. Each employee gives his utmost – to the project, to the client, to Synpulse, to his colleagues. We are Synpulse. «Embrace», «Drive», «Achieve» are not only our core values, but our strengths. We embrace the challenge and together we achieve the best possible results.
And there is so much more...
Open Positions
We are always looking for new employees at various levels (university graduates, experienced consultants and specialists). To extend our energetic and motivated team, the following positions are currently being advertised. Please submit your application directly by using the online form.
- Switzerland / Zurich
- Switzerland / Geneva
- Austria
- Germany
- Slovakia
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Philippines
- Australia
- Indonesia
Experienced Hires
Experienced Hires
Experienced Hires
Experienced Hires
Experienced Hires
Experienced Hires
Experienced Hires
Your Development
Synpulse especially furthers your personal development. It's not just about feeding brilliant minds knowledge; it's about helping you develop your talent, to be creative, to learn new things, to work on your strengths and weaknesses and to take on management tasks responsibly. This is achieved at various levels:
An experienced «Buddy» supervises your start at Synpulse.
Many things are new and confusing during the first days in a new company. With a «Buddy» at your side you can quickly« find your feet», get to know the important people, and at the same time someone trustworthy and competent to answer all your questions!
With an experienced Manager as your mentor, you have your own personal career coach.
Show initiative and choose an experienced Manager or Associate Partner as your personal mentor. With him or her you will determine goals and milestones, meet regularly for project debriefings, coaching and to plan next steps. Learn from your mentor's experience and tips and your career will really gather momentum!
Discuss and assess your performance at quarterly appraisals.
Synpulse has an open feedback culture. A detailed and structured meeting with your line manager every three months provides a platform for extensive feedback on your performance during the past quarter. In these meetings you will also determine your goals for the coming months and have the opportunity to give positive and negative feedback on superiors, your project and the company.
The AcademyProgram® ensures further education and training.
You will be invited to courses on a regular basis in connection with Synpulse' comprehensive further education program. Course material includes social skills, management and leadership, as well as specialist and methodological know-how. You can find details under AcademyProgram®.
Management Career
At Synpulse you follow a typical consulting career from Associate Consultant or Consultant to Partner. Each career level carries more responsibility in the team, on a project, in sales and within the company.
Expert Career
At Synpulse you have the opportunity of realizing your potential as a domain expert. You take on technical responsibility and develop strategic initiatives for future markets.
The Synpulse AcademyProgram® is an exceptional and comprehensive internal training concept, guaranteeing your continued further education in all career-relevant areas.
L3 = Life-Long-Learning.
From the very beginning, a central goal at Synpulse was the development and advancement of employees. This is why Synpulse has developed a comprehensive and challenging further education and training program. The Synpulse AcademyProgram® puts into practice the motto life-long learning and accompanies a consultant on his or her journey to becoming a partner.
Synpulse makes a substantial investment in further education.
Synpulse invests approximately 10% of its financial and human resources in the AcademyProgram® every year. Each employee spends between 15 and 30 days in training a year. Our employees are our greatest asset and are therefore at the centre of each entrepreneurial decision.
Varied training topics provide a 360° view of financial consulting.
The AcademyProgram® encompasses all the subjects a management consultant in the financial industry could need: industry expertise, IT and methodological know-how, project management and management skills, consulting techniques and interpersonal skills. Training is practical and demands that newly-acquired knowledge is implemented directly.
Project Examples
Replace a global bank's entire IT system in 36 hours? Challenge accepted!
Companies which grow considerably for many years often have the IT landscape to match. This also applies to banks. When a certain level of complexity is reached however, radical simplification of the system landscape becomes unavoidable, if the business is not to become a victim of its own success.
Our involvement
An international bank requested that Synpulse assist them in consolidating their IT landscape from 32 systems to just six. Daily business, however, should be entirely unaffected by the change. The complete replacement of the system would thus have to be carried out over a single weekend. As systems were in use globally, once the various time zones had been taken into consideration there were only 36 hours remaining for the implementation rather than 48.
Initial analysis involved taking stock of the situation: What data from which system would be integrated into which new application? What types of data and volumes were in question? How long would migration take? Typical work for analysts – result: 21 days. But now the fun started: how could we reduce 21 days to 36 hours? Processes were executed in parallel, non-critical tasks pulled forward, unnecessary operations dropped, hardware and infrastructure enhanced, algorithms optimised… And there it was, after 10 months of preparation we were ready: the bank's systems were converted and sensitive data migrated and the whole task completed in just one weekend. And the bank's customers didn't notice a thing.
Electronic Invoice – How a Swiss health insurer processes 6,000 invoices per hour.
A modern health insurer has to process a vast number of invoices from hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and therapists, all needing payment for their services. However, the insurer can't simply pay each invoice without first checking it carefully. As this is very time-consuming, and some of the claims are unfounded, automated controlling has a huge impact on the cost structure of the company.
Our involvement
Synpulse assisted the largest Swiss health insurer to replace their existing auditing software with a newly-developed tool. All the framework conditions which influence claims – such as legal provisions, customer-internal guidelines, contractual limits and much more – had to be mapped in logical, automatically-verifiable and easily-maintainable rules. However, the goal wasn't simply to satisfy legal requirements but also to identify incorrect and implausible invoices, to uncover false claims, to initiate reclamation of payments where necessary, compare invoices with costs approved by the insurer, and last but not least, to trigger prompt payment of the invoice.
The development of the set of rules proved just as complex as expected. At the end of the project, the logic could process more than 10,000 plausibility checks for each of the roughly 6,000 invoices per hour, thus completely automating the majority of invoice auditing. The client now has a high-quality low cost reimbursement system which also benefits policy holders.
Targeted customer contacts – not just How, but also Who
Mutual trust between contracting parties is an excellent basis for business in the B2B environment. Where a contact has already been established, acquisition is considerably easier than where it is first necessary to introduce the company and its products. This also applies to the reinsurance business where insurers purchase reinsurance coverage either directly or via brokers.
Our involvement
Synpulse was asked by a global reinsurance player not only "How do we address a customer?" but also "Who should address the customer?". If there was already a connection to the customer, be it through other business units or on the basis of professional or personal acquaintances, this could be used to initiate business.
Synpulse enhanced the reinsurers CRM system and linked the customer database to the internal HR database. Using targeted change management, each employee was encouraged to make his or her personal network available to the company. Account managers now have access to the system and the advantage of a familiar face when contacting new customers.
- Salomon Wettstein Partner
- Franka Tholen Manager
- Denise Bernhart Consultant
- Michael Hesse Manager
- Lina Violita Lie Associate Partner
Employee Profiles
«One of the most important principles of success is developing the habit of going the extra mile.» Napoleon Hill
Seven years after joining the firm, I am still amazed by the amount of time and resources Synpulse invests in our personal and professional development. This was one of the main reasons for me to choose Synpulse.
When considering my career options after my studies of Computational Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich, I had offers from some of the biggest brands in management consulting. I joined Synpulse because I was convinced by the passion and entrepreneurial spirit cultivated by the partners and the sense of community I noticed among the consultants. It's a truly supportive and collaborative environment where everyone is invested in each other's success.
Since I joined the office in Zurich, I have had the opportunity to work with colleagues around the globe in Switzerland, the UK, Singapore, India, Australia and China. Today, I'm an Associate Partner and Managing Director of our Hong Kong office and responsible for the banking practice in the Greater China region. I not only manage the strategic business and technology transformations for our clients but also aim to get closer to the crux of the decision-making process for steering our growth in the region.
As part of the global Operational Excellence leadership team, I'm empowered to drive our business development to continually sharpen our market positioning and extend our service offering.
Directly after completing my degree in Mathematics at ETH Lausanne, I chose Synpulse as my employer. It was important to me that my first professional experience takes place in a smaller, albeit dynamic, firm that not only allowed for, but rather promoted team work. The possibility to work internationally also significantly influenced my decision.
The welcome I received from Synpulse on my first day exceeded all expectations. I was greatly impressed by the heart-felt greetings and helpfulness of my colleagues. I was able to really get to know not only my colleagues, but also the city of Zurich, through team events and going out after work. It is no surprise then, that I quickly felt a sense of unity within the firm.
Like all new employees, I too, attended the New Employee School during my first month. Through numerous modules I became familiar with the basic knowledge of a consultant. At Synpulse good training and professionalism are indispensable. Therefore, I was provided the opportunity to take further training courses and I was able to get an Avaloq certificate. With such good preparation I was able to start my first project.
My first experience of consulting came while I was still studying at the ETH. What fascinated me back then, and still fascinates me now, is understanding and solving problems within a client's organization. The varied nature of the projects we work on is a challenge and at the same time gives us a broad and enriching perspective on things. After graduation I was deliberately seeking slightly smaller consulting firms. Because of this and its health business, Synpulse was at the top of my list. After two recruitment events I knew for sure that the people and the business were right for me and that I definitely wanted to seize the opportunity of joining Synpulse.
In the first month I completed the New Employee School and over the past year have had the chance to drive internal initatives, place offerings, and get involved in diverse client projects. The variety of content and people I encounter in the course of projects is a constant source of enrichment for me, and keeps me on a steady learning curve. The in-house training opportunity has enabled me to further expand my industry-specific toolbox. In addition to that, at Synpulse I get to experience a team-oriented corporate culture where people support each other, also through times of crisis, and have plenty of fun and enjoyment at work too. Well-established leisure events are an opportunity to get to know other people at Synpulse beyond my own project team. I look forward to more exciting and challenging projects, enriching training opportunites, and a healthy portion of fun at and outside work.
After my studies in Business Management, as well as a three-year dual study at a bank, I came into contact with Synpulse. This offered me the possibility to dive into a new, more technical field. I was easily able to overcome my initial skepticism about my ability to perform the unfamiliar tasks, because I could acquire all of the necessary skills through internal and external training. Beyond this, I could always rely on the extensive knowledge of my colleagues, who were always willing to make time to help me.
I was quickly able to take over my own work stream in a large, international implementation project, which I was able to successfully supervise from beginning to end. Here I was able to not only bring in my analytical skills, but also able to try out new ones, such as project planning and team leadership. Again, management was ready to share their knowledge to support me, and together as a large and familiar team we were able to successfully implement the bank's new system.
Thanks to this experience, as well as numerous extension courses in technical, methodological, and personal fields I, as a senior consultant, have had the possibility to gain increasing responsibilities in large, new projects. I lead two business work streams and work across project streams in order to support the project leader. Little by little I realize how the roles are becoming reversed; I am becoming the contact person for younger colleagues and passing on my own knowledge. Naturally I like to contribute to this process, since I know from personal experience how important it is.
As an Associate Partner with a Topic Expert Role, I work on projects with a team of consultants to achieve success for our clients. I work on various projects including Investment Suitability to ensure operational compliance with regulations in Singapore and Hong Kong, Operational Improvement projects, Training and Change Management. In addition to working on projects, my other focus area is to meet potential clients to discuss their needs and identify areas where Synpulse could contribute to our client's success.
I joined Synpulse shortly after my MBA program. I was attracted to the unique culture of Synpulse that places great importance on learning and mentoring. Synpulse offers excellent academy program that equips employees with the required knowledge, skill sets and relevant methodologies. I also have benefited from having good mentors who constantly provide valuable advice at each step of my career with Synpulse. Now, I find that mentoring is something I enjoy doing and my goal is to help consultants reach their professional growth and balance that they look for in their work.


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Summer School? Teens Trade Classes for Factory Jobs
Unable to Find Skilled Workers, Southwire Creates Training Program for High Schoolers
CARROLLTON, Ga.—Breonna Daniel, a onetime high-school dropout, was smoking pot and "hanging out with the wrong crowd" last year without a hint of concern for her future.
This summer, she is among hundreds of teens working on Southwire Co.'s factory line four hours a day, earning above minimum wage and spending eight hours a day in the company's classrooms. It is part of a novel program designed by the cable manufacturer to develop a skilled workforce and get troubled high-school students from the community back on...


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The progress the Central College football team showed in nearly knocking off No. 12 Wis.-Oshkosh Saturday was clear, but so was the disappointment as the Dutch saw a surprising 17-0 halftime lead melt in the steamy September heat at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
A year ago at Oshkosh, Wis., the Titans roared to a 41-0 halftime lead en route to a 47-28 victory over the Dutch and went on to win 13 straight games before falling in the NCAA Division III semifinals. Wis.-Oshkosh returned eight offensive starters from that juggernaut, but Central stymied the Titans throughout the first half, limiting them to 125 yards and six first downs. The best Wis.-Oshkosh scoring opportunity got as far as the Dutch 3-yard line, before an errant third-down snap and then a blocked field goal try left the Titans scoreless.
But while there was improvement, there were also some too-familiar second half lapses as Wis.-Oshkosh used big plays to foil Central's upset hopes. A 56-yard strike by quarterback Nick Olla on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter set the tone. Four plays later the Titans were in the end zone. Central gave up a 27-yard pass on the next Wis.-Oshkosh possession that led to a field goal, then a 67-yard Olla touchdown pass that tied the game 17-17 with 11:20 left in the game. And an intercepted Central pass sparked a four-play Wis.-Oshkosh march for the go-ahead score with 8:36 remaining.
"We cannot give up big plays," coach Jeff McMartin said. "We talked about it all off-season and here we are again. That's got to get fixed."
And the breaks that seemed to go Central's way in the first half all tilted towards Wis.-Oshkosh after intermission. Defensive back Jacob Edleman (senior, Mechanicsville, North Cedar HS) weaved his way to the end zone on a dazzling 65-yard fourth-quarter interception return that was called back because of a penalty. All-region kicker Kevin Sheldon (junior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) connected on two field goal tries but strong long-range boots on attempts from 50 and 42 yards sailed just wide. The Dutch committed a pair of costly second-half turnovers. And quarterback Aaron Eiseler (junior, Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain HS) had to leave the game in the third quarter due to significant heat-related problems as temperatures neared triple digits and the heat index soared even higher.
"There were a lot of things," McMartin said. "We weren't able to generate much on offense. We scored 17 in the first half and got three points in the second half. That is not ideal. We had some opportunities to make some things happen that didn't go our way."
Eiseler completed 18 of 25 passes for 178 yards with one interception and two touchdowns before leaving the game. He returned for a final desperate Central possession with only16 seconds left and tossed an additional interception on the game's final play. In his absence the Dutch called on senior Austin Blom (Phoenix, Ariz., Mountain Pointe HS) and junior Brendon Boerm (Traer, North Tama HS), who was a part-time starter a year ago before moving to receiver. Blom was 5-for-8 for 51 yards with one interception.
"You hate to have (heat and injuries) factor in, but you've got to be a next-man-in kind of team," McMartin said. "Austin Blom was ready to play. We did a couple things with Brendon Boerm in the running game. We were prepared to play other people. Austin took us right down and got us into scoring position. He had a nice drive at the end."
After Wis.-Oshkosh took the lead with 8:36 left, Blom directed an 11-play, 70-yard drive that stalled at the 5-yard line. Sheldon kicked a 21-yard field goal to cut the lead to 24-20 with 3:41 left, but Wis.-Oshkosh was able to control the ball for eight plays. The Dutch couldn't get the ball back until the closing seconds and had to start at their own 12-yard line.
Running back Josh Osborn (junior, Burlington) ran for a game-high 69 yards on 17 carries while De'Andre Currie (junior, Phoenix, Ariz., Mountain Pointe HS) darted for 52 yards on eight attempts.
Blaine Forsythe (junior, Pella) caught a 4-yard pass from Eiseler for Central's first score with 5:19 left in the first quarter and Grant McArdle (senior, Red Oak, Stanton HS) had an 8-yard TD reception at the 11:52 mark of the second quarter. Boerm had a career-high and game-high 10 receptions for 119 yards while McArdle had five catches for 60 yards and Forsythe had five receptions for 32 yards.
Wis.-Oshkosh outgained the Dutch 430 yards to 370, getting 325 passing yards as Olla completed 14 of 25 passes with two interceptions. Central held a 141-105 yard advantage in rushing yards.
Junior linebacker Mitch Schroeder (Lowden, North Cedar HS) topped the tackle charts with a game-high 14 tackles. Defensive back Jacob Tune (junior, Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain HS) had seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Linebacker Keith Rush (senior, Griswold), in his first action since 2011 after missing last year with injury, also had seven stops. Linebacker Mike Young (senior, Country Club Hills, Ill., Hillcrest HS) had six tackles and a fumble recovery. Edleman and defensive back Bryan Mejia (sophomore, Miami, Fla., Coral Gables HS) each had an interception.
While the outcome left the squad disheartened, there's no doubt the big picture glows brighter than it did a year ago.
"We played hard," McMartin said. "We played together and believed in each other. We were able to put last year away. We didn't let that affect how we played this team, this year.
"There's nothing we can do to change this game. This hurts. It's a rough way to start out. But I believe this team is going to keep getting better and a lot of the goals we have set for this football season are still there."
Central takes on another non-conference challenge next Saturday at 6 p.m. with a trip to Augustana College at Rock Island, Ill.


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HOUSTON - Houston Mayor Annise Parker won a second term Tuesday, but she faced fierce competition from five opponents.
Parker was challenged by Kevin Simms, Amanda Ulman, Dave Wilson, deputy fire chief Fernando Herrera and Jack O'Connor.
Parker received 58,939 of 115,881 votes. O'Connor had 17,153 votes, Herrera had 16,646, Wilson was fourth with 13,589 votes, Simms had 7,733 and Ullman had 1,821 votes.
Parker said Tuesday before the polls closed that she expected to win without a runoff.
"This election, I had five opponents plus the economy," Parker said. "I know that the voters of Houston are concerned. I know that the people that I talked to, as I was campaigning, are anxious about how their jobs are going to last, or whether they have a job. I also know that Houston is the best city in America to live, to work, to raise a family. Thank God we live in Houston, Texas."
All of Houston's City Council seats were also up for grabs.
One of the most hotly-contested races was for At-Large Position 5. Jolanda Jones currently holds the seat, but Laurie Robinson, Jack Christie and Bob Ryan wanted to take it from her.
Jones won 39 percent of the votes. Christie was next behind her with 33 percent, Robinson had 20 percent and Ryan had 8 percent. The winner will be decided in a runoff.
"I've been in two," Jones said. "I feel like I'm in 'Groundhog Day.' It's just like 'Groundhog Day.' I've been in two runoffs. You guys did this the last time, and I won. I'm not afraid of a runoff."
"I feel real good," Christie said. "We have strong voters, and they'll support and come to the runoffs. I just want to thank them for voting me because we had thousands of votes. I just hope they come back out into the runoff."
Two new seats have been added to Houston City Council -- Districts J and K.
Mike Laster, Rodrigo Canedo and Criselda Romero ran for District J. The population for District J is 63 percent Hispanic, but only about 17 percent of the registered voters in the southwest Houston district have Latino last names.
Laster received 69 percent of the votes for District J. Canedo had 11 percent of the votes and Romero had 20 percent.
Laster has said his priorities are to increase police patrol and change the perception of southwest Houston.
"For those who voted for me, I want to say thank you," Laster said. "For those who didn't, I want to do my best to earn their support."
Pat Frazier, Larry Green and Alex Gonik ran for District K in southwest Houston.
Larry Green won 65 percent of the votes for District K.
"To me, it's really to have the opportunity to represent where I grew up," Green said.
District C has been dubbed the "Hipstrict" because of all of its "cool" neighborhoods and eclectic residents in the Heights and Montrose areas. Five people ran for the seat on City Council, and former state Rep. Ellen Cohen won it with 54 percent of the votes.
"I don't know if I feel very hip, and I don't know if I would be described as hip, but I really think it's a terrific district and I am so honored to be representing it," Cohen said.
Ten candidates ran for At-Large Position 2. Two, Andrew C. Burks Jr. and Kristi Thibaut, will meet in a runoff.
"When we do jobs, we're talking about actually finding a way to bring about new jobs in the city, and that is through the small businesses," Burks said. "I have a plan to do the incubator program that we have already, which is, in my opinion, it's not doing what it should be doing."
Thibaut said she will continue her campaign message of wanting to make the city safe for families.
"I think the message that I send out to women, the No. 1 thing is that: public safety," she said. "I got the support of both Houston Police and Fire, and I think it's important to have safe neighborhoods, to have a place for our children to play and feel safe. That's the No. 1 thing that I've really been pushing for."
All of the terms begin on Jan. 2.
The cities of Bellaire and Patton Village also voted for their mayor.
In Bellaire, Phil Nauert won with 85 percent of the votes.
Incumbent Patton Village Pamela Munoz won 48 percent of the votes. Leah Tarrant received 44 percent of the votes and James Sharber got 8 percent of the votes.
The County Clerk's Office said there are 1.8 million registered voters in Harris County. More than 49,600 people cast their ballot during the early voting period. Approximately 8,600 Harris County residents voted by mail.
Copyright 2011 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Prep notebook: Regis Jesuit product signs with Miami Dolphins
The same week the Broncos cut one of the most prolific prep products in Colorado's history — Chatfield's LenDale White — another local guy quickly grabbed up an NFL chance.
John Matthews, a 2004 graduate of Regis Jesuit, signed with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday. It's another shot for one of Regis football's most prominent alums.
Matthews spent most of last season on Jacksonville's practice squad, though played in two games. He had one catch for 19 yards in this year's preseason opener, but the Jaguars waived Matthews on Saturday.