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Highs & Lows
This week's Library looks at two books that could not be further apart from one another. On one hand, you have a publication that is solely focused on looking up and the other one looking towards the wide-open plains of the desert. Featuring Walther König and Cabinet.
Concorde by Wolfgang Tillmans, Walther König
"For the chosen few, flying Concorde is apparently a glamorous but cramped and slightly boring routine while to watch it in air, landing or taking off is a strange and free spectacle, a super modern anachronism and an image of the desire to overcome time and distance through technology." – Wolfgang Tillmans. Originally published in 1997 and now on its fifth edition, Concorde is one of Tillmans' most iconic body of works, consisting of 62 color photographs of the Concorde taking off, landing and in flight. Presenting no other text than the short description in the inner-cover, Concorde depicts the mystery, phantasy and devastation that surrounded the airplane, from the view-point that the majority of us could only experience it from.
Cabinet 63: The Desert edited by Sina Najafi, Cabinet
Venturing down a slightly different path for the next publication, we turn our attention to the New York-based award-winning non-profit magazine of art and culture, Cabinet. Looking at what is meant by the words "art" and "culture", Cabinet offers an in-depth exploration within each issue, compiling leading international journalists, scientists, philosophers, artists and historians contributing essays, interviews and a plethora of multi-disciplinary projects. Cabinet 63 features a special curated section on "The Desert", focusing on the landscape which is often paired with emptiness and adventure. Featuring contributions from Maria Golia, Margaret Spelling, Volker Welter and Jonathan Randall.


text: I teach middle school and high school science here at Stratford. I currently teach 7th grade science, 9th grade science and I also teach 1 class for RVA. I coach football and baseball as well. I am orginally from Tomah, WI and graduated from UW-Eau Claire. My teacher career starting in the small town of Weyerhaeuser, WI in northwestern Wisconsin. I love golf, hunting, fishing, playing softball as well as many other outdoor activities.

subset: commoncrawl


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AB CREW Mens Hair Minimizing Body Hydrator (90ml)
Maintain silky, hair-free skin with AB CREW Mens Hair Minimizing Body Hydrator, a unique emulsion that works to reduce and minimise the appearance of hair regrowth for a body that looks smooth and more defined. Combining mushroom derivative with a plant proline complex, the formula delivers lasting hydration deep down and works on the surface to inhibit unwanted stubble growth. Infused with a subtle, masculine scent of young vetiver and forest woods. - K.N.


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Tesla Motors, the maverick electric-car maker, is under scrutiny from federal regulators over suspension failures attributed to its biggest-selling model — along with reports that it had asked owners not to disclose the problem.
The nation's top auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said on Thursday that at least some Tesla customers who experienced suspension failures with Model S luxury cars were asked to sign confidentiality agreements about the issue.
"The agency immediately informed Tesla that any language implying that consumers should not contact the agency regarding safety concerns is unacceptable, and N.H.T.S.A. expects Tesla to eliminate any such language," said Bryan Thomas, an agency spokesman. "Tesla representatives told N.H.T.S.A. that it was not their intention to dissuade consumers from contacting the agency."
The regulator added that the agreements that Tesla required were "troublesome."
Tesla did not respond Thursday to requests for comment. [On Friday, the company responded in a blog post, saying there was no safety defect with the Model S nor any intent to discourage complaints to regulators.]
The safety regulator is examining the Model S suspension — the springs, joints and other components that connect a car to its wheels — for possible defects that could be causing premature failures.
Since October, it has received 33 complaints of suspension parts breaking. A suspension breakdown can cause severe steering problems and make driving impossible, according to filings listed on the agency's website.
A few of the complaints pertained to a requirement that owners sign confidentiality agreements in exchange for having their cars repaired. The suspension problems and the issue of the nondisclosure agreements have also been discussed on blogs for Tesla owners.
The company reported that in 2015, it sold 25,200 Model S cars, which have a starting price of about $70,000.
Tesla has just started offering a sport utility vehicle, the Model X, and is planning to offer a compact car, the Model 3, next year. The company hopes the Model 3 will become its top seller and says it has already received $1,000 deposits from about 375,000 potential buyers.
The suspension issue with the Model S is the latest sign of quality concerns. The Model X S.U.V. was recalled earlier this year because of a problem with its rear seats.
Tesla's first model, the two-seat Roadster, which was produced from 2008 to 2011, also had its problems.
At Tesla's annual shareholder meeting last month, Elon Musk, the company's chief executive, acknowledged that the Roadster had been plagued by a number of issues.
"This car, even though it met all regulatory requirements, it was completely unsafe, broke down all the time and really didn't work," Mr. Musk said.
Two years ago, the safety administration looked into two instances in which Model S cars caught fire. It determined that the fires were caused by road debris striking the vehicle's underside, and closed the matter after Tesla agreed to reinforce the shield that protects the battery.
For most of its 13-year history, Tesla has tried to break away from many standard auto industry practices, a strategy that at times courts controversy. Its practice of selling its cars online without dealers has led to court battles in several states. The company is also building a gigantic battery factory in Nevada and often announces news via tweets by Mr. Musk.
"Everything they do, they try to do differently than the traditional auto company, but they all have to deal with the same rules," said Michelle Krebs, an analyst with the firm Autotrader.
Ms. Krebs said she had never heard of a car company requiring customers to sign confidentiality agreements in exchange for repairs of potential safety defects. "It does raise eyebrows," she said. "It may have happened before. I've just never seen it."
In its statement about the inquiry, the N.H.T.S.A. did not elaborate on the extent or details of Tesla's use of nondisclosure agreements. But according to accounts posted online, some customers who complained about suspension problems had their cars fixed on the condition that they agreed in writing not to talk about the issue or how the company dealt with it.
An auto industry blog, dailykanban.com, posted what it said were excerpts from the agreement, along with a scanned copy. "You agree to keep confidential our provision of the Goodwill, the terms of this agreement and the incidents or claims leading or related to our provision of the Goodwill," the document said. "Goodwill" is the term Tesla used to refer to any repairs or compensation it made because of a suspension failure.
The agreement posted on the blog released Tesla from any liability and barred the car owners from filing legal proceedings against the company.


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US Imperialism 1900-2010
Lodproductions90: US Imperialism 1900-2010. Timeline of United States military operations; dates show the year in which the US dispatched troops. Check out: The East-West dichotomy, by Thorsten Pattberg;
The complete list can be found in Wikipedia 'Timeline of United States military operations' which uses CIA-based sources and a list published by the 'Committee on Foreign Affairs'.
On a side note, no social theory (as opposed to biological ones) has ever been proposed to sufficiently explain human nature and how to prevent wars and imperialism. Despite the invention of internet and iphone, we are still lagging behind in the humanties. We still fight wars and attempts of imperalism with wars and attempted imperialism.
That's why Noam Chomsky hit a nerve when he proclaimed: "The United States is a Leading Terrorist State".
Thanks to Wetoldyouso1 for editing this video. It was done with Windows Movie Maker. All rights reserved.
Dates and places:


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Database by Taxsutra is an innovative and powerful online reference tool containing Historical Database of income tax judgments.
We do not have the most relevant results for this search query. However, here are the Other Related Results you can browse.
Income Tax searches lead to detection of undisclosed foreign assets of more than Rs. 1000 crore
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Demonetization (OCM): Cash Deposits/ Receipts/ Advances and Presumptive Tax u/s 44AD - Part 3
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Implications of amendments to Indian Stamp Act by FA, 2019 - Simplification at the cost of Consti...


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Tropical dreams™ Essential oil Blend
A Blend of: orange, ylang ylang, jasmine absolute, siberian fir and vanilla
Warm sandy beaches, floral gardens, gentle breezes.
This blend will want you to spend some time sitting and enjoying the scents and smells, just as if you were in a tropical floral paradise!
Suggested use
Diffuse in your favorite diffuser.
This oil is for use in Diffusing-inhalation only. Use in any diffuser, inhaler or jewelry. Do not apply to the skin, even if diluted, if sun exposure is possible due to the citrus oils in this blend.
Put a few drops in your tired out potpouri or dried flower arrangement.
Use a Terra Cotta Disc and place on the back of your toilet tank or bathroom shelves.
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Funny story: today on my way back to the apartment from one of our strolls around the city, I was stopped by a middle aged local woman, who was apparently lost and asked me for directions to the Flinders Station. ME. Who is always pushing the stroller with one hand and catching up on google maps with the other, with one eye to the road and the other on the boys who have the ability to jump out of their stroller belts unannounced at any given time. ME? Who was lost multiple times during the first week while coming back home even while navigating maps. ME. Who is sometimes on the verge of breaking down, deep in the heart of the city, when the boys won't cooperate or the stroller would seem too heavy to push on an uphill road or bridge. I was taken aback at first, surely she is not asking ME of all people? And yet here she was calling me again, and I was able to point the sweet lady to her right destination all so knowingly and assuringly (without using the maps, i might add). It felt good. It felt like i belonged. It felt like home.
I am gonna miss living in the city centre for sure. We move to the suburbs start of next week (lots more on that soon!). Lying on my bed in this city apartment, late at night, when the tornado of boys is finally at rest, and i am pottering in my head for some words to flow or editting photos while sipping tea, looking through the glass walls of my room upon the balcony to the twinkling lights of the city all around me. Its something i will never forget and always cherish. The walks along the river, the most wonderful aromas from the uncountable cafes all around me, the people who are always so friendly and charming. The convenience and comfort of having every imaginable thing at a stone's throw. From high end boutiques to dodgy thrift stores, from all kinds of worldly cuisines and cafes to acres of lush green gardens, from victorian buildings and gothic laneways to riverside views and high rise modern architecture. From rain and winds to sun and tans. Melbourne has it all.
Melbourne is an addictive city, that is for sure. There is something so tempting about the city vibes, the narrow laneways and arcades, hole-in-the-wall cafes and street lined bars, the city that boasts the best coffee in the world, the cyclists and the skaters, the rowers pedaling away in the river seeming too good and too disciplined to be true, the street performers, the dog-walkers who are always so sweet to the boys when they want to pet the dogs (which is every single time and the city has more dogs than kids so go figure), the pedestrians rushing away busily with a sandwich or a burrito in their hands and head phones in their ears, trams and buses shuffling by amidst the busyness of this all.
The featured image of this post is of one of the prettiest cafes I have ever seen in my life. Its called Chuckle Park. And I discovered it one day while I was sitting in Riyadh, reading up on Melbourne (hard to get the nerd out of me even after all these years) before we visited last September for a couple of weeks.. It was love at first sight. I knew i just had to find my way to it and see it for myself. So one cold, bleary evening during that trip, I forced and pushed an all-exhausted, reluctant husband and two sleeping kids, amidst rain and cold, to find this pretty spot out. It was this narrowest, dark, moody place with funky music playing, but it was dreamy and it was magical. It had its own thing going on with the rustic lanterns and the bright red stools and real cozy atmosphere, amongst high end designer boutiques of the city all around it.
This time I stumbled upon it by chance as I was exploring the inner city laneways and arcades, needless to say I was happy like a kid in a candy store. Just look how pretty. Right out of a fairyland. Thats Chuckle Park for you.
The city that makes the best coffee in the world also houses one of the most charming and exotic tearooms in the world. Hopetoun Tearooms. I couldn't go inside as there was a long waiting list, but I snapped a few photos from the outside.
I was roaming around The Block Arcade and The Royal Arcade one day where I scourged some vintage stores for goodies and took in The Art of Dr Seuss.
And thats it for now. I am utterly exhausted from all the house shopping we did this weekend, every muscle is sore and every limb aches. I hope to recover in this week before the big move looming above our heads. Need all the love and luck. xxx
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Delivery & Returns
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We always aim to deliver within 7 working days but sometimes we may encounter high order volumes during certain periods. Please allow 10 working days before contacting us if your order hasn't arrived. We will contact you immediately if we are aware of any delays.
Collection is available. If you select the delivery option collection during the checkout process then you must collect your order from our store in Barnstaple, North Devon.
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You may cancel or return your order at anytime within seven working days after receiving the product. To request a Refund or Exchange you must contact us at North Devon Tackle within this seven day period.
When sending an item back we request that you firstly make us aware you are doing so and secondly that the product is in the same condition as it was received in.
We will provide a full refund for the product once the product has been received by us in the required condition. You, the customer, are responsible for any delivery costs for returning the item unless the item was damaged during transit or faulty.
All of our products are checked before we dispatch them and are packed carefully, however, if an item does arrive to you damaged or faulty we require that you notify us within 72 hours or we will not accept responsibility for the fault or damage.
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Wales News – 26 January 2014
As you will know, all radio amateurs are required to revalidate their licence at least every five years. The process to do this requires every licence holder to contact Ofcom to confirm or update the details on the licence database. This process has been underway for some time and to date some 52 percent of licences have been successfully revalidated.
The quickest way to revalidate is to do so online via the Ofcom website at www.ofcom.org.uk, or by email to email@example.com. This can be done at any time. If you need assistance in the process, Ofcom staff are available to help, but their limited availability means that the workload needs to be staggered to avoid undue delays. There will thus be a phased approach during the coming months during which time regional campaigns will be held to encourage all licensees who have not yet revalidated to do so. Now is the time for all amateurs who live in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales to revalidate their licences if they have not already done so.
Please note that although amateur radio licences are now classed as 'lifetime', revalidation is compulsory. Ofcom have advised that any licences that remain unvalidated by a yet-to-be-agreed date will be considered as lapsed. After this time, licences will need to be renewed and a fee of £20 will be charged.
On Thursday Aberystwyth and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a club night on the air from 8pm on 145.500 then 145.550MHz. Details from Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970 611 853.
On Thursday Marches Amateur Radio Society is contemplating computers and amateur radio, and whether they mix. Contact the club secretary, by email to email@example.com.
Category: News for North Wales, News for South Wales


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LNG Export Dream is a Nightmare
by admin on Jul.08, 2014, under Events
BC Path to Prosperity touted by Premier Christy Clark is an unrealistic dream that is not based on facts. It is in fact, a nightmare that will extract our non-renewable resources without adequate compensation.
In addition, the industry will destroy our groundwater, increase the risk of earthquakes, and damage human health.
At a time when many leading institutions and organizations are divesting from any investment in oil and gas, Premiere Christy Clark is committing increasing amounts of taxpayer funds to supporting, or even, subsidizing the oil and gas industry.
My conclusion from reviewing the facts and published studies is that the export of LNG will cost the province more than it will ever receive in royalties. In addition, groundwater contamination and methane leakage will continue from abandoned wells that will not be cleaned up by industry. Some of the damage may be permanent and no amount of money will be able to restore our pristine water. In addition, increased risk of earthquakes, health problems in our population and contribution to climate change all are strong signals to stop fracking. We must put a moratorium on fracking until we know more about this risky process.
LNG Development Facts
Because companies can fully deduct all capital costs before paying the full 7 per cent LNG income tax, any cost overruns will be paid for by reduced taxes.
This means that all investment, processing and exporting expenses are paid before any tax is paid on the profit from sales. Historically, corporations find many ways to avoid showing a profit that can be taxed. Why can't we charge a royalty on the amount of gas extracted? The gas belongs to the citizens of this province and they should be paid for taking it. When I pay for natural gas on my home heating bill, I pay for the amount used.
Based on a more realistic expectation of LNG export volumes and prices, this analysis estimates the fully-implemented LNG income tax is likely to raise between $0.2 and $0.6 billion per year. For comparison, consider that the total annual BC Budget is $45 billion per year.
BC's current royalty regime has not achieved a good return for the development of this finite public resource, and places more emphasis on encouraging high levels of production:
- Natural gas production in BC has increased by one-third over the past five years, even in the face of extremely low North American prices.
- Yet royalty revenues have dropped significantly during this time due to low market prices and large credits for deep drilling and gas infrastructure.
This report, by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, makes a well supported case that the revenue projections from fracking projects are greatly exaggerated. Now that China has made a deal with Russia to provide natural gas for the next 30 years, the price of BC natural gas will have to be subsidized to compete. Even though the industry is producing more gas, provincial income is dropping because the royalties are a percentage paid on profits. The report concludes:
BC should not proceed full-speed ahead to sign away non-renewable and public gas resources at any price.
Export Costs
Processing and exporting natural gas requires a great deal of investment and much of the cost will not be borne by industry. A recent article explains in the challenges faced by the LNG export industry in detail.
In a special report on global energy prospects, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that expectations for a robust liquefied natural gas industry may fall apart due to bad economics and high transportation costs.
– See more at: http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2014/06/23/Nat-Gas-Transport-Costs/#sthash.fzPJMbJ6.dpuf
Why should BC taxpayers subsidize wealthy multinational corporations to extract our resources? The cost of transportation reduces profits and the estimates that have been used to paint a positive picture are based on highly optimistic scenarios. Why should we give up existing jobs in farms, tourism and other industries, as the land supporting these jobs is destroyed, for mythical jobs in the oil and gas business?
Taxpayer Investment
The Site C Dam will flood precious farmland and displace many people and animals to supply electricity to the oil and gas industry. It is opposed by First Nations and local residents and even BC Hydro has "not fully demonstrated the need for the Site C on the timetable it proposed" according to Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Joint Review Panel (JRP). This dam will cost billions in taxpayer money (estimates range from 8 – 16 billion) and raise all of our rates for electricity to subsidize oil and gas extraction. However, there is some confusion, because Premiere Clark has made a statement that natural gas will be burned to create electricity to process and compress the gas. This will make the resource processing produce much more pollution, but should negate the costs of building the Site C Dam. However, BC taxpayers will have to pay for this electrical generation facility instead.
Premier Clark said B.C. will use natural gas to generate electricity needed to produce Asia-bound liquefied natural gas. The process will demand as much as four times the electricity consumed by the province's largest city, Vancouver. – See more at – http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Environment/2012/06/25/shale-gas-coal-premier-bc/#sthash.j8YB0mSh.dpuf
Taxpayers will be covering the bill for port expansions, road and highway construction, upgrades and maintenance as well as inspection and regulation costs. The large equipment that must be transported to complete the fracking process is very heavy and requires road and bridge upgrades and maintenance. In the end, our biggest investment will be in clean up costs, as abandoned wells spew methane and leech toxins into the environment. Reports of approximately 1 million abandoned wells in Pennsylvania leaking methane in a study by a Princeton PhD Candidate discussed in this article,
Natural gas is mostly methane, (CH4), a super-potent greenhouse gas, which traps 86 times as much heat as CO2 over a 20-year period. So even small leaks in the natural gas production and delivery system can have a large climate impact — enough to gut the entire benefit of switching from coal-fired power to gas. Study after study, however, finds that the leaks are anything but small. Read more at -http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/20/3451380/abandoned-pennsylvania-wells-spew-methane/
How many abandoned wells will we have to clean up in BC?
BC's Climate Action Plan
How does exporting LNG fit in with BC's Climate Action Plan? We are exporting a greenhouse gas producing fossil fuel and the amount of methane that is expelled into the atmosphere during the extraction and delivery process is a serious concern. Here are three articles that discuss the effects of methane release, a serious pollution threat. Scientific American, The Energy Collective and NY Times all have published articles critical of industry practices that allow the escape of methane into the atmosphere. This problem is not limited to fracked gas, but is widespread over the entire industry.
No one can accurately say how much methane is leaking from wellheads, processing plants, pipelines and other natural gas facilities, but there is a growing body of evidence that the amount is significant.
This is important because methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and a study from Stanford shows that the amount of methane in the atmosphere is much higher than estimated in the US. No similar studies have been completed in Canada, but industry's own studies show that fracked wells leak more than conventional wells.
. . .industry studies clearly show that five to seven per cent of all new oil and gas wells leak. As wells age, the percentage of leakers can increase to a startling 30 or 50 per cent. But the worst leakers remain "deviated" or horizontal wells commonly used for hydraulic fracturing.
Estimates show that BC natural gas can be dirtier than coal and create more climate impact, some deposits contain high proportions of CO2 in addition to methane that is released into the atmosphere..
"A 2010 study by Mark Jaccard and Brad Griffin for the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions concluded that adding 4 million tonnes (MT) a year to the province's GHG inventory, at time when the province needs to subtract millions of tonnes, means 'that the B.C. government will sustain a 20-year Canadian climate policy tradition — failure to meet its GHG emission targets.'"- See more at: http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Environment/2012/06/25/shale-gas-coal-premier-bc/#sthash.j8YB0mSh.dpuf
Why do we have a Climate Action Plan if there is no attempt made to meet the targets?
Other Negative Effects
British Columbia is an earthquake zone. There is strong evidence linking earthquakes in Oklahoma to fracking, because they are not in an earthquake prone area. The government of BC is taking on a very high risk in encouraging fracking in our province. Who will pay for earthquake damage?
Then there are health risks. There is well documented evidence that fracking contaminates groundwater and releases airborne toxins that cause serious health problems including birth defects, infertility and cancer. Who will pay for these extra health costs?
We must stop fracking in order to save our groundwater for future use. With global climate change shrinking glaciers, we will become more dependent n groundwater to irrigate crops and to sustain life. Who will pay for the de-salination plants to make ocean water useable?
Report from Montana listing Dangers from fracking including:
- Contamination of groundwater
- Methane pollution and its impact on climate change
- Air pollution impacts
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Blowouts due to gas explosion
- Waste disposal
- Large volume water use in water-deficient regions
- Fracking-induced earthquakes
- Workplace safety
- Infrastructure degradation


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Eagle Discount Program
Show your card and save at Ypsilanti-area businesses!
Eastern Michigan University students, employees, participating alumni and retirees who show their identification or membership card (please see card examples below) can receive discounts at participating Ypsilanti-area businesses. Please click on the links on the left side of this page to view an updated list of businesses, contact information and discounts. Visit this site often to view the newest businesses to join the program.
Business Owners and Managers
Interested in becoming a part of the Eagle Discount Program? If you would like to participate in this no-fee promotional program, complete the online registration form or download the Letter of Agreement form [PDF] and submit via email or mail.*
*Eastern Michigan University reserves the right to accept or decline any organization's participation in the Eagle Discount Program. The Eagle Discount Program is reserved for businesses operating in the 48197 and 48198 postal codes. Exceptions may be made for non-competing entertainment venues.
Need an Eagle Card?
Students, faculty, and staff simply show your current EMU ID to receive a discount.
Alumni should complete the Alumni Association Membership Activation Form.


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Today's Traditional Kitchen
10 top trends for kitchens that work hard and deliver comfort
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Good-bye, fussy Tuscan kitchens! A clean, pared-down, and clutter-free aesthetic with a focus on function and family gatherings dominates today's spaces. Yes, even in traditional settings, kitchens are sporting modern touches like stainless-steel piping details on custom hoods (Chicago-based designer Mick De Giulio's signature touch) and open shelves supported with industrial-chic unlacquered brass brackets. Take a look at 10 cool products and design trends that we see shaping today's traditional kitchen, plus four of our fave kitchen designers share what they are seeing in their work.
Clean Lines and Clutter-Free
Watch for linear and streamlined Shaker and flat-faced Euro-inspired door styles with touchable, textured surfaces. Painted and stained-wood finishes, metals, and glass are all in play, and often designers are combining different cabinet styles and colors within one kitchen. Finishes range from European-inspired high-gloss laminates to low-sheen painted surfaces to rustic woods that highlight the natural grain and imperfections. Leather, mirrored, and stainless-steel panel inserts and doors (polished, brushed, or sand-textured) introduce texture and interesting reflective surfaces.
Sliding and flip-up panels on backsplashes with recesses behind them to conceal countertop appliances play to our clutter-free aesthetic. Mick De Giulio, who designed the space above, is also taking a "layered"—kitchen behind a kitchen—approach with floor plans. "The front layer can be viewed and open to the living area, and another layer behind it can conceal the things that tend to clutter a kitchen, like coffeemakers and mixers," he says.
"Rough-Sawn European Oak," "Regency" with antique mirror, and "Morningside" raised panel from wood-mode.
Cool Cooling
Designers love the flexibility of today's refrigerators, available as drawers and narrow columns, or with French doors. No longer does the refrigerator have to dominate the room. Designers tuck drawers under counters and often install separate freezer and refrigerator units. With today's interest in locally produced fresh foods, we're seeing sophisticated technology that controls temperature and humidity in various refrigerator sections.
That single lightbulb is long gone, and refrigerator interiors are illuminated by super bright and long-lasting LED lights. Jenn-Air ramped up the drama with black interiors where LED bulbs gently build in intensity for a "theater lighting" effect.
With more of us entertaining at home, wine refrigerators and icemakers are popular. Thermador promotes its diamond-shape ice for a dazzling drink that stays cold longer.
The "Obsidian" refrigerator from Jennair. Thermador's "Diamond Ice."
Elegant Lighting
Kitchens are looking less like kitchens and more like living rooms, says Kichler lighting executive Jeffrey Dross, so lighting manufacturers are stepping up their game with glamorous introductions. Large-scale chandeliers, lanterns, and industrial-inspired styles are popular for lighting dining areas and islands. LED technology is the newest go-to for illuminating appliance interiors, countertops, and even chandelier bulbs. The light quality is warmer than earlier introductions and the long-lasting bulbs are far more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
From left: "Arabelle" by Aerin from Circa, "Shelsley" chandelier from Kichler, "Agnes" by Aerin from Circa.
Easy-Care Look-Alikes
We're all searching for beautiful looks with less labor. Some of the latest products that help do just that are quartz surfaces and porcelain slabs that won't stain like their natural counterparts. Crossville's porcelain Laminam ("Calacatta" shown here) comes in sheets that can be installed over existing tiles, transforming a space with less demolition mess. The materials are available in thin and relatively lightweight panels (as compared to stone) so they're easier to install and are suited for walls and vertical surfaces. Wilsonart's Decorative Metals offer the look of pewter, copper, steel, and other metals in laminate sheets for backsplashes and counters.
Multi-Function Cookers
Steam ovens and induction cooktops are gaining popularity in the U.S., designers and manufacturers say. Steam is a healthful way of cooking because it preserves the food's moisture, flavor, and nutrients. Induction is a fast and energy-efficient cooking method because energy is supplied directly to the cooking vessel and no heat is wasted. To give cooks more options, manufacturers are combining cooking technologies into one appliance, such as a microwave/convection oven or a steam/convection oven. When installing a microwave oven, New York designer Michael Radovic prefers placing a drawer model under the counter for a low profile.
Fun Faucets and Super Sinks
Multiple sinks are the norm in kitchens today, and deep apron-front sinks in a variety of materials—from stainless steel to fire clay—are popular choices. Options in function and finishes abound in the faucet world too. While stainless is always strong, other finishes gaining attention are carbon bronze and patinated brass. Tapping into our thirst for pure clean water, many faucets include easy-to-change filters, and Grohe's "Blue" faucet adds one more treat—dispensing sparkling chilled water from its tap.
Grohe's "Blue" (left) and Kallista's "Quincy" (right)
Amazing Metals
While stainless steel remains ever popular, several appliance manufacturers are spinning the color wheel. KitchenAid introduced a black stainless collection, right, Jenn-Air offers a refrigerator with a black interior, and BlueStar, left, features a staggering 750 color choices for their Pennsylvania-made appliances. International brands like La Cornue and Bertazzoni Italia are seeing an uptick in color too. "Consumers love the pop of a warm, vibrant red, yellow, or even orange range to add personality and a focal point to the kitchen," says Valentina Bertazzoni, fifth-generation manager at the Italian company.
There's an influx of copper, rose gold, and unlacquered brass finishes on faucet fixtures, hardware, decorative hood treatments, and lights. Unlike the polished brass of years past, finishes are warmer and softer. Oil-rubbed bronzes exhibit a lightening up too, and designers are mixing metals within a kitchen. "I love an unlacquered brass pull with polished nickel accents on a gray or black door," says designer Matthew Quinn. Another trick is mixing textures, such as using a hammered nickel and polished nickel on the same handle, he adds.
Shown: Pastel turquoise range from Blue Star and black stainless-steel refrigerator from KitchenAid
Charged Up
"Today's family of four has an average of 12-plus mobile devices at home," says Amy Hahne, a vice president at electrical giant Legrand. The company offers several solutions for juggling those devices, including the Adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting and Power System, a rail that provides multiple plug-ins on one out-of-view strip. Brackets that suspend tablets or phones from the rail keep devices safe from spills and easy to view. A pop-out outlet, shown, has three sockets and pushes flush when not in use.
Wireless options abound for charging devices and controlling lights and appliances. Watch for wireless charging capabilities like the Corian Charging Surface built into countertops. More options should be on the market in the next year, electronics experts say. Matthew Quinn happily notes these advances mean an end to designing kitchens around TV screens. "Kitchen televisions are disappearing as everyone moves to streaming live content on their iPads!"
Comfort Seating
Breakfast rooms, whether they're in separate spaces or simply snug corner banquettes, are back. Upholstered armchairs that cozy around a table or near a fireplace provide comfortable areas to relax and read the paper, work on a laptop, and engage in conversation with those working in the kitchen.
Designers are choosing plush and generously sized counter-height stools for islands and peninsulas, which often are designed to seat four or more people. In addition to comfort, chairs and benches with woven fiber, caned, or upholstered seats and backs add softness, texture, and livability to kitchens—a nice contrast to stone countertops, steel appliances, and other hard surfaces.
Performance fabrics—once used primarily outdoors—are increasingly being used to upholster benches and cover cushions in kitchen spaces. Their stain-resistance and ease of care make them top choices for households with pets and children, and they come in many colors, textures, and patterns—from faux leathers to soft-to-the-touch chenilles.
Blue fabric from Kravet Soleil
Human Touch
Handcrafted materials—from painted tiles to scraped- and aged-wood floors to hammered metals—give a kitchen warmth, color, and character. Designers are covering entire range walls with hand-painted tiles like Walker Zanger's Duquesa collection, left, which draws on global and historical design elements. Textured metals are showcased behind a clear resin in the Haute Déco doorknobs, top right, and Mick De Giulio's stainless-steel sinks for Kallista, bottom right. The "Bacifiore" sink's polished distressed finish is handcrafted by artisans to create the look of flowing water. Designer Matthew Quinn says wood flooring is a top choice for kitchen floors, particularly lighter tones and planks with textured and weathered-look finishes. "Gone are the days of choosing wood stain from a chart of 12 colors. Now there is hand-planing, limewashing, cerusing, and doweling."
Duquesa "Jasmine" from Walker Zanger , "Campeche Eclipse" doorknobs from Haute Déco, "Bacifiore" sink from Kallista
Mick De Giulio
"Two of my favorite exotic woods today are eucalyptus and sucupira. I'm also using hand-scraped wenge wood for hood facing, all trimmed in polished stainless steel. Another favorite detail is a thick serrated edging for shelves and framing.
"I've also been doing more with different metals—polished stainless steel, bronze, silicon bronze, German silver—usually in combination with glass, wood, or stone. Some of the new detailing includes polished stainless-steel-framed glass drawer faces, German-silver side panels in a chevron pattern, and polished stainless- steel piping."
Justine Macfee
"We are rethinking storage in a kitchen and, specifically, upper cabinets. Although we love the look of cabinets to the ceiling, we've incorporated open shelving into our kitchens, and our clients have been digging the look and function. We love how it breaks up some of the massing in the space and lightens the architecture. Plus, it's fun to stack great-looking dishware and accessories."
Matthew Quinn
"I could not be happier with the introduction of my stainless corner sink called the 'SocialCorner.' I have already installed it in several kitchens, and I romanticize that it is bringing couples together and initiating more interaction between parents and their children. We installed the sinks in both of our homes, and just this past weekend, I watched as my mother and mother-in-law prepped an entire meal at my sink. It made me so proud."
Michael Radovic
"The part of the kitchen I particularly like to design is the hood area, because it is a major focal point. I've specified typical stainless-steel hoods from major appliance manufacturers, but custom-detailing a hood enclosure is much more special. Whether it's a stone structure, a wood hood with spice pullouts, or even a faux wood or stone hood, they all make a statement. More important, they accentuate the cooking area and make it more inviting.
"One of my favorite materials recently is poured concrete countertops. We did a 14-foot island topped with concrete that simulates planks of driftwood pieced together and with a 3-inch-thick live-edge detail [shown]. The wood knots were realistic and the grain texture was matched perfectly."


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Home > Eat Well > Tough as Nails
Thick, shiny hair and strong healthy nails don't have to come from a salon. Your local grocery store has all the natural beauty-boosting products you need. And, their prices that won't break the budget.
Certain nutrients found in common foods prevent hair thinning and hair loss; fight the stress hormones and inflammation that can threaten your hair and nails; combat iron deficiency, which can lead to hair loss; and keep your nails shiny and strong. An added bonus: They help your skin, too!
These easy-to-find foods have all the nutrients you need:
If you're looking for nutrition help that goes beyond your hair and nails, NKCH's registered dietitians offer outpatient nutrition counseling services. You'll need a referral, so talk with your regular doctor first.


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The National Library of Medicine (NLM) launched a virtual customer service representative (vRep) named "Cosmo" in February 2003. Cosmo is a navigation tool that guides users to information on NLM Web pages. These Web pages contain information on programs, products and services provided by NLM. Cosmo directs users to information on consumer health, drug information, medical database instruction, grant information, online catalog access, exhibit details and onsite library information. Medical librarians manage the Cosmo knowledge base to link to this information. To ensure that we meet customer needs, staff review the user "conversation" log daily and modify answers as needed. This paper describes the lessons learned during Cosmo's development and may help others who create and maintain a virtual representative.
Why a Virtual Representative?
Knowledge Base and Content
How It Works
Updating the Knowledge Base
How Cosmo Performs
Lessons Learned
The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's largest medical library. The Library is probably known best for producing the MEDLINE database, which indexes journal articles from nearly 5,000 biomedical journals. NLM also produces numerous other databases and catalogs for researchers and historians including ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, IndexCat, and TOXNET. NLM databases provide information on monographs, audiovisual materials, and on such specialized subjects as toxicology, environmental health, and molecular biology. Since 1998, NLM has developed resources for the general public, including MedlinePlus, a comprehensive consumer health portal in both English and Spanish, and other consumer health portals such as NIH SeniorHealth) and Tox Town). Some other resources produced by NLM are the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) and the Visible Human Project.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has a centralized customer service staff that answers questions about NLM resources such as MedlinePlus, and PubMed. Staff also answers questions about all of the services of the Library, e.g. interlibrary loans, Library grants, exhibits and Library tours and hours of operation. From October 2004 to September 2005, NLM Customer Service responded to 73,493 inquiries from offsite locations (phone and email) compared to 59,634 inquiries for October 2000 to September 2001.
Virtual representatives (VReps) are new; but are becoming popular as librarians try to help users who want information anytime and anywhere [1]. Digital/virtual reference service allows access to information using asynchronous and synchronous methods such as email and customized programming [2]. NLM needed secondgeneration digital reference to cater to "virtual patrons" who look for sources of quick information [3]. We consider Cosmo a secondgeneration product at NLM.
VReps are appearing more commonly on the Internet as organizations use them to respond to user's most frequently asked questions. These products usually have human or character likenesses with names such as Nicole, Phyllis, Kate or Bill. Coca Cola® uses a cartoon personality known as Hank. Ask Jeeves® uses a butler named Jeeves [4]. They are used in addition to, or as replacements for, call center staff and email replies to customers [2]. NLM chose a wise owl, named Cosmo, as our character icon.
Figure 1: Cosmo Icon.
Cosmo emulates persontoperson customer service interactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week (http://wwwns.nlm.nih.gov/). Powered by NeuroServer software (by Verity, Inc., formerly NativeMinds, Inc.), Cosmo uses conversational dialog and rules based responses [5]. However, we have found that most users ask two to three questions and leave the page. They are not "conversing" in an extended way with Cosmo.
Why a Virtual Representative?
The NLM makes a variety of content accessible to health professionals and the public through the Internet [6]. The content of the NLM Web site is vast and diffuse, and can be difficult for users to navigate. To locate content, users navigate from NLM Web pages or use keywords in the search engine.
Cosmo offers a third choice by allowing users to ask natural language questions.
Cosmo provides:
- a simple navigation tool;
- an alternative for people who prefer using natural language to search for information;
- 24/7 access;
- a way to gather usage statistics (see Appendix);
- a means for more efficient response to Frequently Asked Questions; and,
- a more anonymous customer service method than email or phone.
Cosmo's rulesbased scripting and pattern matching links users to relevant content (predetermined by NLM staff) on the NLM Web site. When Cosmo cannot find a suitable link, it provides a form to send the question to the NLM Customer Service staff.
For example, to find the Library's hours by navigating from the main Web site, users would start at the NLM homepage, then click the "About the National Library of Medicine" link, and click "Visiting the NLM".
Or, from the NLM site, use the "Search NLM Web Site" box with terms like "library," "hours," or "library" and "open." Cosmo, answers questions like "Are you open the day after Thanksgiving?" with a link to the answer.
Users can ask a question and receive an immediate answer from Cosmo.
- How do I get to the library?
- How much does it cost to park there?
- Where can I find older medical journal articles?
- How can I participate in a clinical trial?
- Tell me about your history.
Cosmo answers health questions by linking to the consumer health information in MedlinePlus. As information on NLM Web sites is updated, Cosmo links to that updated source of information.
Knowledge Base and Content
The software developers and the NLM Office of Computer and Communication Systems (OCCS) provided support initially by creating thousands of synonyms from the MedlinePlus health topics and drug information databases for matching texts. The software developers gave a twoday course to several NLM staff members to learn the scripting language, create responses and manage the content. These staff members then trained new members of the Cosmo project team and installed the vRep software on their computers.
During planning, the project team used these NLM tools to build a knowledge base for Cosmo:
- Frequently Asked Question's (FAQ's);
- Fact Sheets;
- MedlinePlus health topics;
- MedlinePlus drug information;
- PubMed searching instructions; and,
- General NLM information Web pages.
How It Works
Librarians create answers as backward literature searches; that is, they deduce how a user might ask for information and write a script that "fires" when that question is asked.
One of the first topics created for Cosmo tells the NLM hours. The user sees:
Figure 2 (Cosmo Greeting).
If the user types "hours," the response is"For NLM's hours, see the Web pages listed below. For holiday changes and Emergency Closings: Call 1888FINDNLM (18883463656) or 3015945983."
Cosmo then offers the following links:
- NLM Reading Rooms and Services — Hours
- NLM Fact Sheet Reference and Customer Services Hours of Assistance
- Holiday Schedule
Another frequently asked question is "Where can I find lists of medical meetings and conferences?" Because of the scripting by librarians, Cosmo anticipates different variations of this question.
Any of the following variations will link to a page of information about medical conferences:I am interested in medical conferences.
Can you tell me about upcoming medical conferences?
Medical meetings
Medical conferences
Are there any resources for conferences here?
Can I find medical conference resources at the NLM?
Does the NLM have schedules of medical conferences around the country?
Do you have info on medical meetings?
Where can I find information on medical conferences?
Where can I find lists of medical meetings and conferences?
In these examples the key phrases "medical conference" and "medical meetings" are mapped so that no matter how the user enters the question, Cosmo directs them to medical conference information. Cosmo does this with pattern matching. A complete sentence creates the best match because it provides context as well as content. Ideally, Cosmo recognizes a complete sentence as a standard question or statement category.
Cosmo is not a search engine and requires special scripting for retrieval. Users who utilize it as a search engine by using Boolean operators, entering keywords or incomplete sentences that are not scripted to match, may find the results unpredictable. At best, Cosmo will recognize a keyword that is scripted to match a document or Web site.
Updating the Knowledge Base
Each time a user interacts with Cosmo, the system stores conversation in a log. Daily, the Cosmo reviewers read the previous day's log (see Appendix) in order to:
- alter incorrect responses;
- study user conversation habits;
- suggest new entry terms for medical conditions (i.e., build the knowledge base); and,
- collect data for statistics.
The reviewer assigns each question a user asks to one of nine categories:
- Correct;
- Incorrect;
- Out of Scope for Cosmo;
- Out of Scope for NLM;
- Out of Scope (answer misleading);
- Add New Term;
- I Can't Understand You;
- Insults/Inanities; and,
- Questions about Cosmo.
The reviewer records the statistical information and adjusts the scripts for incorrect responses. The project manager then updates the "live" vRep file on the NLM site.
How Cosmo Performs
In the first year, Cosmo answered 86 percent of "In Scope" questions (i.e. those questions that Cosmo should answer) correctly.
Cosmo receives about 25 questions a day including medical questions, questions about NLM products and services, clinical trials questions and collection questions (see Appendix).
Figure 3: Total In Scope Questions.
Lessons Learned
Some of the challenges we discovered during our first year with our vRep:
- Communicating clearly with multiple audiences;
- Scripting for similar but different questions;
- Explaining Cosmo's limitations; and,
- Encouraging customer use while the knowledge base is in development.
Clear Communication with Multiple Audiences
NLM Web site information content must communicate with a variety of audiences (librarians, health professionals, students, researchers, and the public). However, information mainly of interest to librarians (NLM outreach programs, grant information, onsite services, interlibrary loan, database searching assistance, citation error information, Fact Sheets, and Frequently Asked Questions) may also answer questions from the public. We are sensitive to library "jargon" and are able to restate information in "plain language" understood by the public.
Scripting for Similar yet Different Questions
Scripting Cosmo to answer Frequently Asked Questions isn't difficult. Scripting Cosmo to recognize and answer similar, yet different, questions is more complicated. For example, for a question about herpes (e.g., What is herpes?) Cosmo suggests a MedlinePlus page for herpes. For a question about whether NLM has books on herpes, Cosmo recognizes both herpes and books, and links to the NLM catalog to find books and journals in general, not just about herpes If the user wants to research the medical literature on herpes, Cosmo directs them to search PubMed/MEDLINE. So we have one subject (herpes), but three different interpretations of that subject such as general information on herpes, books on herpes, and research articles on herpes. This means that three different scripts are needed to direct users to a suitable answer.
When asked a question, Cosmo produces an answer or a hyperlink to a Web page that contains the answer. Sometimes the answer may not answer the question correctly because Cosmo interprets the question by how the user asks it.
The unavoidable issue is how to deal with word order of user questions that might make a difference in a correct response. This is similar to the need to script for similar but different questions. For example, a publisher who wants to submit a journal for inclusion in MEDLINE asks "How to get a journal listed in Medline?" Cosmo interprets the question as "Where can I get a list of the Journals in Medline" because it matches the words "journal", "listed" and "MEDLINE". So proactive scripting for word order is difficult because Cosmo gets "smarter" as it is used more. Homographs are another challenge. Words like "delivery" could mean childbirth or could mean drug delivery of pharmaceuticals.
Explaining Cosmo's Limits
Cosmo does not work like Google or PubMed. It either matches a response in the knowledge base, or it does not match and tells you that it doesn't understand.
This does not leave room for error. Misspelled words are a challenge. For example, when a user asks "What is the latest treatment for assthma?", he gets a default "I can't understand you" message If asthma were spelled correctly, Cosmo would link to a correct MedlinePlus page. People who use Web search engines, such a Google, may expect Cosmo to recognize the misspelling and ask "Do you mean asthma?" Cosmo does not have that capability; but we can, and often do, script for likely misspellings. Since we cannot anticipate all misspellings, we hope to implement a spellchecker in the future.
Reviewers decide on a casebycase basis whether to adjust the scripting to account for misspelled words and new phrases. For example, a user typed only "2005 funding." Cosmo interpreted the question to be asking about funding for treatment. We must make a decision in a case like this to decide whether to add these phrases to the knowledge base.
Initially, Cosmo was designed to respond only to complete sentences. For example, "What are your hours?" or "Are my children allowed in the library?" or "How do I access PubMed?" or "I need information on asthma," instead of "hours" or "children" or "PubMed" or "asthma." We tried to educate users on how to ask Cosmo questions. A default script activated anytime someone typed a one or twokeyword search (unless it was obvious what they are looking for). This script told users to try asking a question rather than typing keywords. This attempt to educate produces mixed results. Many users continued to enter search terms and their questions were not answered. We later altered the scripting so Cosmo can be used more like a search engine, as well as responding to natural language.
Encouraging Use While the Knowledge Base is Still Development
Cosmo gets better when we discover wrong answers to reasonable questions. For example, the question "How can I access online journals from offsite" helped us craft an appropriate answer that matches the question. But when the question was first asked, Cosmo interpreted it to be "How many journals or books do you own?"
To encourage users to ask Cosmo a question before writing or calling Customer Services, we put the link on the Contact Us page, which is one click from the NLM homepage. We will also ask the user, "Have you checked Cosmo for an answer?" on our customer service request form in the future.
Virtual representatives have a place in reference services and introduce new opportunities as well as challenges for librarians, users, and vendors. While some users need human assistance to formulate a question and to find an appropriate answer, Cosmo is a nice solution for answering basic and repetitive questions. With continuous improvement by librarians who know the customers, Cosmo can perform at a sophisticated level.
About the authors
Terry T. Ahmed (ahmedt@ mail.nlm.nih.gov), Carolyn Willard (email@example.com), and Marcia Zorn (firstname.lastname@example.com) are librarians in the Reference and Web Services Section of the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.
1. R. Balleste, 2004. Intelligent systems: The world of AI for libraries [abstract], In: C. Nixon and J. Burmood (compilers). 19th Annual Computers in Libraries 2004 (1012 March), Washington, D.C. Medford N.J.: Information Today, pp. 4344.
2. A. ZaninYost, 2004. Digital Reference: What the Past Has Taught Us and What the Future Will Hold, Library Philosophy and Practice, volume 7, number 1 (Fall), at http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/zanin-yost.htm, accessed 6 November 2006.
3. P. Jacsó, 2003. Virtual Reference Service and Disservice, Computers in Libraries, volume 23, number 4 (April), at http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/apr03/jacso.shtml, accessed 6 November 2006.
4. S. Coffman and S. McGlamery, 2000. The librarian and Mr. Jeeves, American Libraries, volume 31, number 5 (May), pp. 6669.
5. M. Moore, T. Ahmed, and A. Glazer, 2004. Using an automated knowledge agent for reference and customer service, Journal of the Medical Library Association, volume 92, number 2 (April), pp. 271273.
6. D.A.B. Lindberg, 2000. Internet access to the National Library of Medicine, Effective Clinical Practice, volume 3, number 5 (September/October), pp. 256260, and at http://www.acponline.org/journals/ecp/sepoct00/nlm.htm, accessed 6 November 2006; E.M. Lacroix and R. Mehnert, 2002. IThe US National Library of Medicine in the 21st century: expanding collections, nontraditional formats, new audiences, Health Information and Libraries Journal, volume 19, number 3 (September), pp. 126132, and at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12390234&dopt=Abstract.
The following is a breakdown of the nine statistical categories developed for Cosmo. Category Examples:
Category 1: Correctly answered questions
- Example: What are your hours?
- Answer: The Library offers different hours on different days ...
- Example Can you correct my misspelled name in PubMed?
- Answer See the information on the Web pages below for the policy about name misspellings.
- Example I need information on hives.
- Answer: You mentioned "hives," click on the link below to see a related Web page.
Action: No action needed. The answer is correct and this information is logged into a spreadsheet.
Category 2: Incorrectly answered questions.
- Example: What are your hours?
- Answer: PubMed is a World Wide Web search system, produced by NLMs National Center for Biotechnology Information ...
- Example: How can I get a grant?
- Answer: To determine your eligibility for DOCLINE, please refer to the DOCLINE Eligibility Guidelines at ...
- Example: Hives? (If Cosmo cannot answer this, it would be wrong since hives is a Topic in MedlinePlus)
- Answer: I didnt recognize what you just typed. I can only answer a question about a National Library of Medicine product or service. If youre looking for a disease or drug, check your spelling; or click on the button below to send an email to the Librarys Customer Service. (default answer)
Action: A librarian examines topics and determines why the questions were not answered correctly. Then scripting is modified to give the correct answer the next time the question is asked.
Category 3: Add term to Health Topic pattern list.
- Example: What is MelkerssonRosenthal Syndrome?
- Answer: I was created to respond to questions about the National Library of Medicine. You may be asking me a question that is beyond my knowledge. (default answer)
- Example: I'd like to find out about canker sores.
- Answer: I was created to respond to questions about the National Library of Medicine. You may be asking me a question that is beyond my knowledge. (default answer)
Action: The MedlinePlus health topic pages are checked for the terms "MelkerssonRosenthal Syndrome" and "canker sore." No MedlinePlus topics exist for those illnesses, but they exist under the broader term "mouth disorders"; so they are added to the "mouth disorders" pattern list. The next time users ask about canker sores, they will be directed to the mouth disorders information page in MedlinePlus.
Category 4: Out of scope for Cosmo (but NLM can answer this question).
- Example: At the beginning of the Civil War, the U.S. medical staff consisted of how many people?
- Answer: I didnt recognize what you just typed. I can only answer a question about a National Library of Medicine product or service. If youre looking for a disease or drug, check your spelling; or click on the button below to send an email to the Librarys Customer Service. (default answer)
- Example: Correspondence session of January issue of Gastroenterology is missing from PubMed. Where is it?
- Answer: I didnt recognize what you just typed. I can only answer a question about a National Library of Medicine product or service. If youre looking for a disease or drug, check your spelling; or click on the button below to send an email to the Librarys Customer Service. (default answer)
Action: No action needed. These are question that cannot be answered by Cosmo because of their complexity; however, the NLM staff can answer these questions. When Cosmo produces a default answer to a question it cannot answer, the user is given an option to send an email to NLM Customer Service staff.
Category 5: Out of scope for NLM
- Example: Who is God?
- Answer: I was created to respond to questions about the National Library of Medicine. You may be asking me a question is beyond my knowledge.
- Example: How many people work in the White House?
- Answer: I was created to respond to questions about the National Library of Medicine. You may be asking me a question is beyond my knowledge.
Action: No action needed. These questions are out of scope for NLM.
Category 6: Out of scope with misleading answer.
- Example: Who is the leader of Russia?
- Answer: Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D. is the Director of the National Library of Medicine. More information is available from the Web pages listed below.
- Example: Where can I find an online currency converter?
- Answer: There is no fee to use the National Library of Medicine and no charge to register for a library card…
Action: An attempt is made to correct examples like the above for this category. Although the questions are out of scope for NLM, they cause Cosmo to produce an answer from its knowledge base. The term "leader" was in a pattern list with the synonym "director" which combined with "Lindberg" and triggered the above answer. We take steps to prevent this from happening. For example, we take the "Lindberg" topic and "not" in a special operator, word or another pattern list such as CAT__NATIONS_N listing all the countries in the world.
Category 7: Question not understood.
- Example: What are your hurs?
- Answer: I was created to respond to questions about the National Library of Medicine. You may be asking me a question that is beyond my knowledge.
- Example: Databases.
- Answer: Can you elaborate for me? Please enter your terms in the form of a sentence.
- Example: Where can I find information on the UUMLS?
- Answer: I am unable to answer your question. What product or service of NLM are you interested in?
Action: None needed. This category captures users entering text that is perplexing to Cosmo. There is no understanding because of misspelling or bad language syntax. As in above examples, the option is presented to either reenter the question or Send an email.
Category 8: Inanities/Insults
- What good are you?
- Hello.
- How are you?
- You make me sick.
- I think you're useless.
- Why don't you understand me?
- You are no help.
- Thanks.
- That's not answering my question.
Action: No action needed. A default response addresses some of these questions, and we decided not to devote too much time to scripting answers for this area. Cosmo is not designed to be as conversational as some vReps.
Category 9: About Cosmo
- Who made you?
- Who programmed you?
- How much did you cost?
- What are you?
- What's a vRep?
- Are you chat?
Action: As users ask questions about Cosmo, we provide them with answers about how it works and why it's available on the Web site.
Editorial history
Paper received 21 April 2006; accepted 15 October 2006.
Copyright ©2006, First Monday.
Copyright ©2006, Terry T. Ahmed, Carolyn Willard, Marcia Zorn.
Automated customer service at the National Library of Medicine by Terry T. Ahmed, Carolyn Willard, and Marcia Zorn
First Monday, volume 11, number 11 (November 2006),
URL: http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue11_11/ahmed/index.html
A Great Cities Initiative of the University of Illinois at Chicago University Library.
© First Monday, 1995-2020. ISSN 1396-0466.


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Multilobar Pneumonia Review
When a strong virus, bacteria, or fungus gets past the body's normal defenses and causes an infection in the lungs, the person has pneumonia. Pneumonia that is contracted as you go about your daily life is called community associated pneumonia. People can contract pneumonia in hospitals. Ventilator associated pneumonia is particularly troublesome to treat because the person was already sick before developing the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 4 out of every 1,000 patients discharged from hospitals have contracted pseudomonas pneumonia during their hospitalization. Pseudomonas accounts for 10.1 % of all infections acquired in hospitals.
The severity of pneumonia determines how aggressive the treatment plan needs to be. The pneumonia severity index calculator allows the doctor to enter data such as a person's age, gender, whether or not they live in a nursing home, lab tests, alertness, etc. to come up with the severity level. There are five levels. Hospitalization is recommended for levels 4 and 5. This index also provides a percentage of the likelihood that the patient will die. Walking pneumonia symptoms in adults are mild and may be hard to distinguish from the common cold.
The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has only two. In milder cases, only one lobe may be affected by pneumonia. Multilobar pneumonia is an infection in two or more lobes. If the infection is present in both lungs, the person is said to have double pneumonia. Multilobar pneumonia is serious and needs to be treated as such. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia is treated with antiviral medication. Most people with community associated pneumonia can be treated at home. People with serious multilobar pneumonia may need to be treated in a hospital.
A person hospitalized with multilobar pneumonia will probably be given oxygen. The inflammation, fluid and infection make it hard for the lungs to exchange gasses. Doctors will test to see if there is enough oxygen in the blood. The patient may also be given an intravenous form of antibiotics. Patients with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems because of disease or chemotherapy are considered high risk when it comes to pneumonia.


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News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, schooling, and knowledge providers.
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Really extraordinarily exhausting to dispute that new instruments are a total necessity any time first starting on the market. As a brand recent enterprise, if cash is incredibly laborious to come back by, buying a high quality, properly held, used shredding truck could make that preliminary year a lot easier. When going the used route, be sure you have a look at the equivalent qualities it is best to check out when shopping for a new truck or van. As effectively, make certain purchasing a second hand shredding truck or van that one might look at the maintenance nice the pickup truck ensuring it's properly taken care of.


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Aging may be inevitable for us all but the way in which we look after our bodies can impact dramatically on the rate at which we age. One of the key ingredients to a long and healthy lifestyle is exercise. We're living longer than ever before and if we want to spring into our autumn [read the full story…]
Promoting physical activity in patients with Parkinson's disease
What do Mohammad Ali, Michael J. Fox, Bob Hoskins, Salvador Dali, Francisco Franco and Adolf Hitler all have in common? That was question 3 in our Woodland quiz last night. Almost all the elves got it right and the title of this blog no doubt gives it away but yes, they did indeed all suffer [read the full story…]
Is job strain a risk factor for a physically inactive lifestyle?
It's the beginning of another working week here in the Woodland. We've still got health and the workplace on the agenda today. It was a big relief to learn on Friday that work stress doesn't increase your risk of certain cancers but guess what? It seems that job strain can be associated with a physically [read the full story…]
Lower your risk of major illness by walking regularly
I've been pacing and reading this morning in the Woodland. Taking the opportunity to walk whenever I can. We all know that exercise is good for us but often relate that to going to the gym or joining an aerobics class. Well, recent research has shown that something as simple as a regular walking routine [read the full story…]
More links between sitting time and chronic disease: new research from Australia
We're hearing more and more about the negative impact on our health of sitting down too much of the time and here comes another bit of evidence which suggests that, though it's not the type of study that can tell us about causes, only associations. It's part of a big cross-sectional study in New South Wales, [read the full story…]
Healthy mums, healthy children: a child obesity prevention programme
We all know that prevention is better than cure, and I was really interested to come across a recent Australian study which investigated a programme aimed at preventing obesity in children through working with first-time mums. It aimed to influence their behaviour in terms of diet, physical activity and TV viewing time, to reduce the risk [read the full story…]
Can sitting down for too long each day increase your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death?
Calling all you couch potatoes out there! Make sure you stand up while you read this because it seems the longer you sit, the shorter your life could be! Here in the woodland we elves know that a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to many preventable causes of death. So we like to keep ourselves busy [read the full story…]


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Double Wall Glass Mug (Set of 2)
The stylish 10 ounce Bodum Bistro Mug is perfect for any cuppa tea.
• Double wall insulating Borosilicate glass for both hot and iced tea • Eliminates condensation • Dishwasher Safe
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS Width: 3½" Length: 3½" Height: 4¼"
Borosilicate Glass
Dishwasher safe
Wonderful Mug!
I love, love, love these mugs! They are light weight, look beautiful, keep my tea very hot and I enjoy using them. I am looking forward to purchasing more.
Glass Mugs
Though one of my mugs cracked after very little use, The Republic of Tea took the initiative and replaced them immediately. The new ones are somewhat thicker glass and will more than likely stand the test of time. Nice to know The Republic of Tea stands behind the products it sells! Excellent customer service!
My favorite mug
I love that these mugs do not get hot to the touch but still keep my tea hot. These mugs also clean up very easily. I am planning on buying a set for my sister for Christmas.
Excellent mug
I love this mug. It keeps my coffee or tea hot longer than any other mug or cup. It is just the right size for me; not too big, not too small. I am so glad I ordered this but don't know what took me so long.
Price, style, packaging, design and double-wall were all excellent. BUT THE CUPS ARE TOO LARGE for s slow sipper like myself. From now on I shall always purchase cups holding less than 10 ounces!!!


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Being the first Sunday of a new year, our church meeting this morning was highly charged with expectation and excitement for what God has in store for the next 365 days. As I stood in worship, the words 'live life to the full' came to mind. Probably obvious words for someone who embraces the challenge of a new year and making resolutions. Very quickly however, I connected them with the above verse found in John's gospel:
"....I have come that they might have life and have it to the full"
I don't know about you but when I think of 'living life to the full', I imagine laughter, spontaneity, carefree, fun times. But the reality is that these feelings are often short-lived and the happiness is pretty superficial, not deep in our soul. Only a relationship with a living God can do that. His plan for our lives is one of peace, joy, hope and purpose. What a promise!
It wasn't until I looked up this verse, that I was reminded of the preceding words:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..."
Even after 35 years of trying to avoid Satan's crafty plans, he still manages to find a way in to my life at times and all too often, I allow him the room. But Jesus promises to lead us into a life that is 'full'. We should be grabbing it with both hands! Will you join me in sticking close to God this year? In choosing His path and the one that promises fulfilment? Let's be wise to Satan's tricks and not give him any room to steal our joy.
May 2014 be a year which you look back on as a turning point in your relationship with Him.


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Meeting of the Savannah R-III School Board of Education
Central Office Meeting Room
Work Session 6:30 PM
March 25, 2019
I. Call to Order
III. Board Self Evaluation
IV. Superintendent Goals
V. Budget Overview
VI. 4th Quarter Tribunal
VII. Board President Concerns
VIII. Adjourn
The next meeting of the Savannah R-III Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at the Central Office Meeting Room. There will be a Board Work Session on Monday, April 15, at 6:30 pm in the Central Office Meeting Room.


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This list of Windows-commands is not intended to give in-depth usage or knowledge.
It's simply a list of commands I have found to be useful and they are commands you don't necessarily come across as a beginner.
I try to point you to information others have already provided.
Click on the individual commands in the nav-bar.
Windows >