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Travel Ban (sounds like Taliban, but it's not quite that)
Debate between Texas mayor and Crowder on transgender restrooms:
National Insecurity
The smug, rude, obnoxious, churlish, corrupt, progressive, elite mainstream media never discusses the fact that President Trump's travel ban is TEMPORARY, and is not targeted specifically at Muslim people. Then again, what do you expect from those curs.
Word of the day: CUR
Definition- An aggressive dog or one that is in poor condition, especially a mongrel.A "REAL" Texan?
synonyms: mongrel, mutt, "a mangy cur"; informal - a contemptible man
Debate between Texas mayor and Crowder on transgender restrooms:
National Insecurity
Between the progs, the mainstream media and the courts, the concept that used to be known as 'national security' has been shown to be a paper tiger.
If I sound slightly annoyed, I am. I can go off on a rant and other other circumstances, I might. But why bother. Who cares? There are a few old warriors living in fly-over country, long in the tooth these days. But that's about as far as the outrage goes.
Candidate Clinton trafficked in classified information, insider deals-for-cash, and called it the Clinton Global Initiative. It was a pay-to-play operation where influence was peddled and since everyone was sure that she would be the next president, the Clintons cleaned up. Prosecuting Hillary should have been something that started the process to drain the swamp, but it wasn't. I understand the political expediency, but the situation only gets worse until you remove the infection with a scalpel and then lay hot iron (cauterize) to the wound.
Are you listening President Trump?
The Greatest Enemy of Socialism is Reality
The Greatest Enemy of Socialism is Reality


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Dr. Grace Jones (Chinese Medicine)
Grace has always been fascinated about the ways in which the body is able to heal itself, if given the right tools, which was the perfect foundation for her studies into Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. After completing her degree, she spent a few years practicing and undertaking further studies in the hustle-and-bustle of central Melbourne, before deciding to "walk her talk" a little more and move to the Sunshine Coast with her family to continue her practice in a more relaxed location.
Grace is incredibly passionate about helping people of all walks of life improve their health and wellbeing through the practice of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and throughout her practice has developed a special interest in treating infertility, women's/hormonal health and pregnancy. She is highly trained in this area and is trained in the respected Fertile Life Method. Grace enjoys working alongside her patients to help them achieve their health goals and loves assisting her patients on their journey to understanding their bodies, hormones and emotions at a deeper level.
Grace is a current member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA), and is available for appointments in Maroochydore on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Click here for more information about Grace: http://www.

subset: commoncrawl


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If you miss going to your Economics 101 class every other morning at college, well, Bill Gurley is here to fill that void for one day.
Gurley, a general partner at Benchmark, today wrote a piece detailing why he thinks Uber's highly-debated surge pricing model is actually good for both Uber and consumers.
For those not familiar with Uber, the company's surge pricing strategy raises the cost of a ride when demand increases as a way for Uber to encourage more drivers to be on the road when passengers need rides.
It's important to note that Gurley is an investor and board member at Uber. But, while "many will dismiss these thoughts as naked bias," Gurley says he has access to a wealth of Uber's information and has spent many hours thinking about the fundamentals of surge pricing.
"I also have quite a bit on the line, and as a result have spent a great deal of time contemplating the policy as well as the potential alternatives," he notes.
You should read Gurley's entire post here, but in a nutshell, the venture capitalist uses the basic laws of economics to explain why the surge pricing strategy makes sense for all parties involved. His most important point is that, contrary to what some of Uber's critics say, Uber is a true marketplace.
"So why does Uber's dynamic pricing even exist? The answer lies in understanding that Uber is fundamentally a marketplace, where supply is controlled not by the company but by the legion of independent contractors and transportation providers with whom they work," Gurley writes.
Gurley, who spoke at the GeekWire Summit last year, notes two functions of surge pricing: To increase supply, and to temporarily intentionally reduce demand.
"Through these two mechanisms, the company is able to (a) increase supply, (b) assure reliability, a key tenet of the company, and (c) maximize the number of completed rides," he writes.
Gurley points out how hotels, airliners and rental car companies use a similar model that is generally accepted in our society: when supply increases during busy times, they raise prices.
But Uber is different because contrary to those industries, supply is not fixed. During the times when riders demand more availability, like Friday or Saturday nights for example, drivers also would rather not be driving.
"The exact events that increase demand for needing a driver also cause supply to shrink," Gurley explains. "In these cases the supply curve is moving left at the exact same time that the demand curve is moving right. As a result the need for a price catalyst to increase supply in the Uber case is vital."
Gurley ends the post by noting how "the majority of leading Internet marketplace companies use dynamic pricing as a solution when confronted with a scarcity of supply," like Ebay, StubHub, Airbnb, Homeaway and Google Adwords.
"Uber has no intention of abandoning dynamic pricing precisely because it is in the consumer's best interest, especially when one understands the true alternatives," he writes.
Read the full post here.


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Nintendo Wiifanboy writes:
So you've tuned in to Revolutionary expecting to see the dramatic conclusion of the Controller Showdown. Well, as I was evaluating games to use in the matchup, I found myself revisiting old scripts I'd put aside, and building new scripts for games which wouldn't be fit to judge the motion sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote and SIXAXIS. I realized that because of the recently updated build of GlovePIE, my passion for scripting has been re-ignited!
You see, the latest version of GlovePIE supports the SIXAXIS, Xbox 360 control pad, and standard PC control pads, on top the already robust support for Wii Remotes and attachments. There's also a new function which allows you to easily write scripts for any and all of these controllers universally. So, before we commence with Round 2, let's take a look at the GlovePIE update that will figure heavily in the big battle.


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Hi! We are Jennifer & Laura and we are so excited that you are considering sharing your special day with us. We truly LOVE wedding days! We find so much joy in serving our couples in every way.....we have put in veils, pinned on boutonnieres and zipped wedding dresses. We will be there to remind you to breath and take each moment in! While our primary focus is to capture beautiful images, our favorite part of the day is when we hug you goodbye and we feel like your best friends!
Wedding Prices
8 Hours of coverage
2 Primary Photographers-
We love shooting together! We each have specific jobs to make sure we capture every detail of your day.
Edited images with digital download
Online Gallery
Print Release
Aynor/Conway Area
A $500 deposit with a signed contract is required to hold your wedding date. Please contact us if you would like to book. Contact us through Facebook, email or phone.
Bridal Sessions
1 Hour Bridal Session
Aynor/Conway Location
Edited Images
Print Release
Engagement Sessions
1 Hour Session Aynor/Conway Location
Edited Images
Digital Download
Print Release
Online Gallery
Custom Packages are available upon request, these packages would allow you to add time, images & travel at an additional fee.


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A stunning chair for a range of settings, this chair is made of hardwoods and finished in croc patterned gold velvet upholstery. The hand-applied gold nail head trim and stylish Lucite legs will give an air of extravagance to any room.
Made of: Velvet, Acrylic
Color: Gold
Finish: Transparent
+ Hand-applied gold nail head trim.
+ Croc patterned gold velvet.
+ Lucite legs.
+ Solid Kiln dried wood frame.
+ Comfortable high density foam cushion.
+ Removable seat cushion.
+ Spot clean only.
+ Minor assembly required.
29.1"W x 30.5"D x 45"H
Seat Height: 19.3"H
Arm Height: 24.2"H
Weight: 50.7 lbs
Shipping + Returns: This item usually leaves warehouse in 3 - 5 business days.
Returns accepted within 14 days of delivery. Return shipping fees apply. See our Return Policy for details. >


text: Versatility in 5 letters, with phonetic spelling, and a standout "z" in dead center. This is the kind of term that can be used to brand virtually any product or service because it is truly a "blank slate," just waiting to be filled with meaning. Names like this are hard to find but are highly valuable for startups that are looking to build brand identity quickly.


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Shop online and collect in store
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To decide the best sparkling wine available in Australia we had a blind tasting and let the wines do the talking. The Billecart-Salmon edged out the other shortlisted nominees through purity. A stunning display of refined winemaking from the house that strives for finesse, balance and elegance above all else. No overt stamps of winemaking interference here, only effortless harmony. The incredibly fine bead draws your attention. Tight and persistent classically formed bubbles. The overall rating of the wine is greater than the sum of the parts with each element aware of and working in tune with each other.
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D.J. Smith grew up cheering for the Windsor Spitfires, spent three seasons playing for the team and served as captain before returning from a pro career to coach eight seasons with the club.
Generals coach Smith returns to face Spits Sunday
D.J. Smith grew up cheering for the Windsor Spitfires, spent three seasons playing for the team and served as captain before returning from a pro career to coach eight seasons with the club.
So, the rookie head coach for the Oshawa Generals admits it will be a little strange Sunday when he takes his spot behind the visitor's bench when the two teams meet at the WFCU Centre (2:05 p.m., cable 11, live blog at windsorstar.com).
"I've never been on the visiting bench for anything whether it was the old barn or the new barn," the 35-year-old Smith said. "I took pride as a Windsor Spitfires player and a coach that it was the City of Windsor versus everyone."
New Oshawa general manager Jeff Twohey was given the choice of anyone he wanted to take on the head coaching job with the Generals.
"The fact he was the second guy I interviewed out of 25 candidates tell you the impression he made," Twohey said. "He's as good as I've been around."
The fact that he's got the Generals battling for the division lead in the East Division isn't lost on Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner.
"I think he's done an outstanding job," Boughner said. "He's got them playing a lot like the old Spitfire hockey."
Boughner and Smith keep in touch on a daily basis talking hockey.
"We probably talk three times a day," Boughner said. "We compare notes on other teams, but there won't be anything Sunday even though there are no secrets."
As his first game against his former team has drawn closer, the chatter between the two sides has gotten a little more intense as well.
"It's fairly competitive," Smith said of the rivalry. "We want to win as much as they do.
"The loser will take a verbal beating for the next month until we meet again (Jan. 13 in Oshawa)."
That's just the nature of the relationship between the two sides and has been since they started coaching together whether it's a three-on-three game after practice, a round of golf or even a morning jog that ends up turning into a sprint.
"Everyone knows he's a terrible loser," Boughner said.
Twohey said Smith has brought that kind of intensity to Oshawa.
"That's one of his strengths," Twohey said. "It's just the intensity he brings when the time is right.
"We have a lot of fun, but it's all business when it needs to be."
Twohey, who spent nearly three decades with the Peterborough Petes, knows Sunday's match means more to Smith as well as the ownership group, which features Windsor's Rocco Tullio and former Spitfires Peter DeBoer and Adam Graves.
"It can't help but be important to D.J.," Twohey said. "For my part, it's just another game, but I know how important it is for him. It's the same when I go back to Peterborough and how important it is to me."
Along with the ownership, Smith has also brought a little more Windsor to Oshawa by adding former Spitfires captain Paul McFarland to his coaching staff.
"I'd only talked to him a couple of times over the last five years," said McFarland, who played on the last Windsor team before Boughner, general manager Warren Rychel and governor Peter Dobrich bought the team.
McFarland, whose wife Kelly is from Windsor, was coaching a 2002 AAA hockey team in Toronto when Smith called to make him his first hire.
"He told me back (when I was playing) that he thought I might be a pretty good coach, but it says something he would remember me after all this time," McFarland said. "I love the game and to be involved at this level is a great opportunity."
While Smith's team is off to a good start in his first season as a head coach, he is not one to be satisfied with early success.
"Eight years in the league (as an assistant coach), I knew I could handle an OHL head coaching job," said Smith, who was originally brought on to Windsor's coaching staff by Dave Prpich in 2004-05. "How successful a career it is is still to be seen."
email@example.com or Twitter @winstarparker


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Douglas Laboratories® – Metabolic Rejuvenation – A 28 Day Program to Prepare, Detox and Renew – 4 Bottles
Metabolic RejuvenationTM is a comprehensive 28-day, 3-phase detoxification support program with nutrients specifically chosen to prepare the body through elimination, detox through support of phase 1 and 2 liver detoxification and renewal of the body and intestinal tract.† One Metabolic Rejuvenation box includes 4 bottles (one for each week) with convenience packs and a patient guidebook.
Product Features
- Week 1 – The proprietary blend supplies a significant amount of detoxifying herbs, fibers, minerals, probiotics and vitamin C for proper bowel elimination and intestinal support. The main goal is to open pathways for elimination and prepare the body to properly detoxify in the next phase.
- Week 2 and 3 – Supports detoxification of the liver. Helps to maintain liver structure and function in response to environmental toxins.
- The goal of week 4 is to replenish lost nutrients through the detoxification phase and provide specific nutrients to help renew the gut. A multivitamin/mineral blend provides adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to nutritionally replenish the body.
- As a dietary supplement, adults take as follows: Week 1 – take 2 packs daily (1 in the AM and 1 in the PM before a meal) Week 2 and 3 – take 1 AM and 1 PM pack daily with food Week 4 – take 2 packs daily (1 in the AM and 1 in the PM).
- * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
CLICK HERE for full INFO – SALE PRICE and to READ REVIEWS!


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I have made my name as a businesswoman and so I understand the need for companies to innovate and find new ways to engage their customers. Every decision or change you make should reflect the priorities of the people with whom you do business. It is foolish to make assumptions on their behalf or even worse, tell them what they need.
The impact of the internet on our everyday lives has led to a breadth of opportunity and convenience for many people. Big business' readiness to adopt this technology is to a certain extent admirable; it shows a willingness to embrace new and interesting ideas. However, statistics indicate that many consumers want choice. Not all consumers are currently ready or willing to communicate with companies solely through digital means.
In my daily life, I do lots of public and charitable work which brings me into contact with people who have concerns about the move to paperless bills and statements but even more concerns about their right to choice being removed. There is no doubt that many businesses, in their drive for greater efficiency and cost savings, have forgotten to take their customers with them on that journey. As an individual this makes me worry for the welfare of those that may be disadvantaged. As a business owner the lack of consultation concerns me.
It is this belief that has led me to commit myself to the Keep Me Posted campaign. We have a difficult job ahead of us but our demands are simple and to my mind, perfectly reasonable. All we are asking for is that major companies give consumers back the choice which, as customers, is rightfully theirs anyway.
Judith Donovan CBE, Chair, of the Keep Me Posted campaign


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Welcome to Kegel Exercise Balls
Why Would You Want to Use Balls in the First Place?
Although there are some more serious causes, this is the primary cause of incontinence. Most women experience incontinence at some point in their lifetime but most find it embarrassing and that is why few women, perhaps like you, rarely seek treatment.
How Do You Use Kegel Balls?
Ben wall balls – are used intra-vaginally which means kegels are done with them in the vagina. At the same time, these balls can be used while doing work around the house.
Rubber exercise balls – You know those exercise balls which are used at the gym? These are also used as kegel balls. Although they are not intra-vaginal, they provide no inner resistance but can help to improve your outer core.
So how effective are they? In terms of effectiveness, there is no question that the balls can be somewhat effective. They don't lay on the muscle like kegel weights do based on the cone shape design, but if used, should provide some results over time. There is a question however as to how effective they are. The primary problem with kegel exercise balls is they are completely dependent on you. In addition, it is up to you to figure out how you are progressing and the weight of the next kegel ball for you to use. There is a better option available and it uses the concept of resistance with quicker results.
Kegel weights are fast emerging as kegel exercise balls. They are clinically proven to work, and follow the natural contour of the vagina which means they are easer to use. They also come with varying weights which you can interchange depending on the type of toning you need. Since they are also shaped longer, they are less likely to slip than ben wa balls and can also be carried in the vagina during household activities.


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Of course you can just take less things. But that s too easy. Here are a few tips, from "USA Today", on how to cram more things into your suitcase – whether you have a good reason to do so, such as expecting an amplitude of atmospheric conditions, or a debatable reason, such as the desire to wear a different outfit every day.
Roll up Your Clothes
Everyone, from flight attendants to military, knows this little trick – if you roll up your clothes, instead of fold them, you will fit more into your bag. Besides, rolled up clothes wrinkle less then folded ones.
Stuff Your Shoes
Shoes take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so it is best to be smart about them – you can stuff smaller items inside your shoes. Some examples are jewelry (in a bag), neckties (rolled up and placed in a bag), or socks.
Close and Open
You have one knick-knack left and it seems like there is absolutely no space for it? Here s a trick: close your suitcase (even if you have to sit on it), then open it and look for gaps. You ll likely find them in the corners or in between larger objects.
Use Vacuum Bags
They are now sold in plenty of stores – these magical plastic bags and sacks, in which you place clothing and blankets, and then suck out all the air, with your vacuum cleaner. Yes, they really do work.
Buy an Expandable Suitcase
Well, alright, this might not be considered playing fair, but if you have a suitcase with additional zippers, which can expand with your ever-growing luggage needs, it would be your best option.


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Lebanon Climate Act is being organized in line with its INDC, country's climate change engagement at COP21. Lebanon's INDC is the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution where Lebanon has publicly outlined what climate actions it intends to take under a new international agreement by 2030, and has mainly set a target of 15% CO2 emissions reduction as an unconditional target and committed to reduce 30% of its CO2 emissions conditional to finance, technical support and capacity building.
To establish a network of companies and institutions actively engaged in the fight for climate change.
To catalyze the involvement of the private sector in the wider climate change community. It will provide a space for businesses to showcase and support climate action, through concrete initiatives and multi-stakeholder approaches and thus, contribute in a sustainable and profitable manner to a strong and effective response to climate change.
By joining the Lebanon Climate Act, companies will demonstrate their ongoing engagement to climate action. As part of this initiative, each company will set actions to reduce its environmental and carbon footprint, increase low-carbon investments, deploy more clean energy, and build more sustainable businesses and communities to tackle climate change.
Lebanon Climate Act is also an opportunity to establish solid partnerships between leading business organizations who are showing headship in acting on climate change (Energy, Water, Transport, Waste and Forestry and/or Agriculture), and willing to commit to one or more innovative and practical climate initiatives to scale low-carbon solutions and increase the adaptive capacity of the Lebanese economy, and active Non-Governmental Organizations who have planned important climate initiatives and are in need of a concrete support from one or more business organizations from the public sector to implement their presented initiatives.
Click to Join the Lebanon Climate Act
Salman Zafar
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on firstname.lastname@example.com
Latest posts by Salman Zafar (see all)
- Different Types of Gift Cards - January 25, 2020
- 10 Best Ways to Market Your Brand in 2020 - January 25, 2020
- 7 Tips to Organize Your Kitchen - January 25, 2020
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Dearest Friends,
Goodness me, I've been up to my ears busy this month.
Daniel went to Seattle (and road tripped home) for nearly two weeks and I have been taking care of the boys.
What an eye opener this experience has been for me.
I will say this, I appreciate and love my dear husband so so so so much and can't wait for him to get home tomorrow.
It has been hard but also empowering and fun in so many ways.
To be honest, I think these two weeks were the best thing that could have happened to me (as a Mommy).
I am better for it.
love love,
Fritzi Marie
p.s. The above swan is from Misha Lulu's winter line. Misha Lulu is a children's clothing designer that I admire so much. She is based out of my homeland in Pasadena, CA and her designs make me wish for a little girl.
I will admit that I did pre-order this swan t-shirt for a future little girl in my life.
I just couldn't help myself and you just never know, right?
Check out Ava Mae & Ruby Lou Vintage for Misha Lulu's winter pre-order selections.
All items are made in the USA in small quantities.
All items are made in the USA in small quantities.


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New computerised ticketing at zoo - VISITORS WILL HAVE TO BRING IDENTITY CARDS WHICH WILL BE STORED IN DATABASE
Read more below
- Published 1.10.17
Guwahati, Sept. 30: Next time you visit the zoo be sure to take along an identification document (ID) necessary to buy the new computerised entry tickets launched today.
Assam forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma, accompanied by principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and head of forest force Bikash Brahma and wildlife PCCF and chief wildlife warden N.K. Vasu, inaugurated the new computerised ticketing system at the zoo here.
The system includes two cameras that click a photograph of the person buying the ticket and the ID. The photograph of the visitor is printed on the ticket while that of the ID is stored in the database. The reverse side of the ticket contains a map of the zoo.
Assistant conservator of forests at the zoo A.K. Dev Choudhury told The Telegraph, "The new system will help speed up things. The map of the zoo on the reverse side will aid the visitors locate animals faster. We are in the process of acquiring a gharial, a chimpanzee and zebra through exchange with other zoos in the country. Other zoos ask for rhinos and hoolock gibbons from our state. The number of visitors drops in the rainy season, around 1,000 a day. So, with the addition of new animals, we expect an increase in footfall."
Inaugurating the new ticket system, Brahma said, "Computerised ticketing will make the system transparent. There have been allegations of financial irregularities in the manual system and these will be eliminated. We expect the revenue to increase and this will lead to better conditions in the zoo. We have been working on cleanliness and better food for the animals here. Addition of new animals is also on the cards through the exchange system. We are in the process of modernising the forest force and buy sophisticated weapons to augment the firepower of the guards in Kaziranga National Park and the other wildlife parks in the state. The forest guards will no longer have to depend on the police for sophisticated weap-ons. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for this."
"We are celebrating Wildlife Week from October 1 and Kaziranga will be partially opened for visitors from October 2 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This has been decided by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal," she added.
The minister also spoke about introducing e-rickshaws or other appropriate vehicles for visitors inside the zoo. A new feature, celebrating the birthdays of the captive animals in the zoo, was also unveiled by Brahma.


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1989 Pro Set – Donald Driver
Here is another card that I made early on featuring a Packer player. I am not too proud of these cards as they have holes all over them, but they were good to me at the time so I will post them. This is an example of a card that probably should not have been made. The back of the player is not the most appealing picture for a card, but at the time I was pulling from my stock of images which consisted of one Packer game from the stands. I really wanted Donald on another card so I was reaching a bit here.
1984 Topps – Kris Staats
I guess that today I will have a theme of former Slicers on the blog. I thought that since I created a new tab for former Slicers that I should add some cards to the list. I watched Kris as part of a record setting LaPorte Slicer offense in 2005. He then made his mark at Purdue as the holder on field goals. It was nice to see a local kid playing for my Boilers. (more…)
1986 McDonald's – Donald Driver
The story to most who follow this blog might be old by now, but as a kid I didn't have these cards available to me. I had to settle for cards of the Bears. It is nice now to be able to make my own cards so that I can see what the players today would have looked like on this classic card. (more…)
1986 McDonald's – James Jones
Here is another card that I made last season while the Packers were on their way to the Super Bowl. I thought that since they opened up the playoffs today that I would try and post the rest of my cards from then. If they can somehow make it back to the Super Bowl then I will have an empty folder to fill with new Packer cards. (more…)
1984 Topps – Dorien Bryant
I was getting pumped up for the Purdue game against Notre Dame game tonight so I thought that I would make a few cards of both teams as sort of a countdown to the 8:00 kickoff. (more…)
1988 Topps – Donald Driver
Like the Woodson McDonald's card I put out earlier today I like the way Donald is holding the ball in this picture. He really looks like the ball is stuck in his hand. I took this picture yet again in 2009 during pregame warmups. Donald had just finished a curl route where he caught the ball and turned up field. (more…)
1989 Pro Set – Greg Jennings
For a while Sunday I thought that Jennings might get the MVP nod. He caught a couple touchdown passes as well as the big third down catch that kept the final touchdown drive alive. I like Jennings because he is a good receiver, and because he also wear the number 85 which was my number in high school. Of course he sees the field so the number is where the comparison ends. Like Max McGee who wore #85 and helped win Super Bowl I Jennings stepped up when his teammates went down. I took this picture in 2009 at the Packers game against the Vikings. This picture was a frame ahead of the Jennings picture that appears on the special Super Bowl set I put out on gameday. (more…)


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J G Ross (Bakers) Ltd of Inverurie has secured a slot on the shortlist of the 18th World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said: "100 butchers and bakers entered 500 of their best products into 11 categories this year and the competition has been fierce so J G Ross (Bakers) Ltd can be proud to have come this far.
"The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards is the only competition of its kind recognising excellence in the preparation of a perfect pie.
"The competition is now a regular fixture on the calendar as butchers and bakers throughout the land vie for pie supremacy and the boost to their business that always comes with such a sought after title."
This year's bumper crop of entries included a wide range of 'products at their peak' with accolades on offer for the best Scotch Pie, Football Pies & Savouries, Macaroni Pie, Steak Pie, Sausage Roll, Cold Savoury, Hot Savoury, Vegetarian Savoury, Haggis Savoury, Bridie and Apple Pie.
The Inverurie bakers will find out if they have been successful when the award winners are announced at a prestigious luncheon to be hosted by Carol Smillie on 11 January 2017 in Cumbernauld.


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You can consider my Del.icio.us links an extension to my blog, as are my LifeTango goals and my other to-do items. My to-buy list is also public, but only for sharing any useful ideas that might be there; I'm not requesting charity, neither do I offer it.
You can find me easily in google searches, as jcomeau, jcomeau_ictx, or jcomeauictx. There are lots of other jcomeaus, but AFAIK I'm the only jcomeau_ictx out there so far.
If you want to comment on anything you see here, try the new Facebook comments, reachable by clicking the "[comment]" link at the end of each post. If for some reason that isn't working, go ahead and email me, jc.unternet.net. You know what to do with the first dot. Make the 'subject' line something reasonably intelligent-looking or it goes plunk! into the spambasket unread.
This RSS feed may or may not work. Haven't fiddled with it in forever.
took Golden Gate 101 into San Francisco on Saturday and caught my Megabus to Los Angeles without incident. got to the Chinatown Starbucks at just about 4:30, their usual opening time, but since it was a Sunday it didn't open till 5. still, I was able to stay awake through two cups until daybreak. then I got a little sleep in the park across from Union Station. two different groups came through handing out breakfasts, which bolstered my food reserves beyond the jar of peanut butter I had found at a bus stop in SF.
hung around Union Station until 2PM, then took the Metrolink to Oceanside and got some more sleep on the beach. then took the 101 Breeze to UTC with my Metrolink ticket. that was the end of that $10 journey. so I started walking to Mission Valley, but found an Ofo rideshare bike, its locks broken off, abandoned on Gennessee just south of Clairmont Mesa. so I rode it to C street in Chula Vista, and left it there for the next person because my butt was sore. and now I'm in the H street Starbucks on my first cup. [comment]
one thing I learned this year is that leaving greasy pots and pans away from the house generally gets them clean overnight. first the daddy longlegs get in there, and then probably bigger critters. and these are clean animals, not like the rats who drag their tails in the dirt and grease and spread it everywhere. this is how I should have been cleaning my pots and dishes back in New Mexico. [comment]
oh, and that cold I mentioned on the 22nd never amounted to anything. again, the probiotics killed it before it could do any damage. [comment]
not many places to hydrate on the mountain; several ponds but fenced off and/or with "NO TRESPASSING" signs. found one brook that came out of a culvert on the roadside, where I could stick my head just under the fence and drink from my Sawyer water filter straw; then a while later, continuing up the mountain, found about 10 ounces of water left in a Core Hydration bottle and drank it. on the way down, found another brook (or perhaps the same one as before, on the opposite side) and drank from it, again using the Sawyer filter.
didn't have to pee for over 12 hours (about 10:20 AM to about 11:00 PM), presumably because I was sweating out all the water I was taking in; just like that last trip in La Paz to refill the propane bottles. had no urge whatsoever.
I think it was about 20 miles total, possibly as much as 22. really bummed I couldn't make it to Sonoma because of the gate, but now I know for sure, and can maybe do something about it. [comment]
started at 10:27 PST, ended just a few minutes ago at about 19:50. up Sonoma Mountain and back. more later, gotta eat. [comment]
I was mistaken a few weeks ago about Cory Booker, thinking that his "Spartacus" moment was simple grandstanding and that he hadn't actually shared anything that hadn't already been cleared for public viewing. but I was wrong on that. so I've been reluctant to risk making the same mistake again, and haven't voiced my opinion on the new accusations of sexual assault by Booker himself.
but the differences between this situation and that between Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh are sufficient to make me want to stick my neck out again, and risk it being cut off.
first, this guy has no power. he doesn't have a Diane Feinstein backing him. he's taking on someone with connections to Hillary Fucking Clinton, and could be Seth Riched tomorrow and nobody would ever know.
second, he has no political axe to grind. he's gone sour on Democrats due to the experience, but his political leanings are still to the left, and in any case Booker isn't up for reelection until 2020; too far away for this scandal to have any direct effect as long as Cory ignores it as he has been doing.
third, Booker is ignoring it. so far I haven't heard anything directly from his office, only from a lawyer, Laura Ingraham, calls it a smear. Kavanaugh instantly rejected Ford's accusations against him, even though he could have pled the fifth and kept his current judgeship without risk of perjury.
anyway, I'm not going to attempt to predict how this turns out. but it should prove interesting, if Deep Throat doesn't have an unfortunate accident. [comment]
I may or may not have mentioned that I applied some black salve to the remaining warts on my right hand, after scraping off the new growth, something like 2 months ago. well, for at least 2 or 3 weeks now, I've been wart-free for the first time in maybe 2 years. I'd have to search my blog to find out exactly how long. at first I thought it was skin cancer, but found nothing to support that. in any case, I'm free, and that bloodroot formula has performed another miracle cure.
for some years now I've been eating fennel leaves, buds, and immature seeds. tonight I tried the dried seeds, and they're every bit as enjoyable. the only downside is they're a little harder to chew. I haven't investigated their nutritional value, but I'd guess they could be quite useful in a survival situation.
only a few more days until I head south again. haven't made up my mind yet how much walking I'm going to do. I might be really lazy this year. [comment]
that tooth is still making its presence known, but the pain has only been acute for a few hours of the past week. if it stays this way, I can easily handle it without going to a dentist. what I suspect happened is that a tooth broke, and over the next few months will be coming out in pieces. that seems to be the way it worked last time. [comment]
signed the form for Jared Huffman's office using pdfescape.com and sent it using gotfreefax.com, all without paying a cent and without having to get my ass out of the chair. what an amazing world we live in. [comment]
Thursday or Friday I felt that I was coming down with a cold again. so I did the usual switch to probiotics, and it hasn't gotten any worse, just more mucus production than normal and some discomfort in the throat. hoping to kick it completely by tomorrow.
finished replacing my old dirtboard wheel bolts with stainless. drilling out the old rusted M6-30 bolts was a major pain. went through several cobalt bits. wish I knew how to sharpen the damned things but nothing ever works.
another month I'm short almost $200 on my SSA payment. going to recruit my congresscritter to help. [comment]
a few days ago I got a $5 task in my earn.com inbox from HBUS.com. after signing up and passing their KYC (know your customer) bullshit, including sending photocopies of my driver's license, and waiting a few days, I got $15 in USDT (Tether) deposited automatically into my account. I bought Litecoin with it and had it sent to my Coinomi wallet. so overall I made about $20 from that few minutes invested. not bad.
and tonight on my way back from the cabin out near Lassen, I spotted a smartphone in the middle of the street. not long afterwards, a call came in from "Dad" which I answered, and delivered the phone to my neighbors a few blocks away. their son had lost it out on his motorcycle not long before. the Mom gave me a dozen eggs as a thank-you, and I found a package of Aidell's chicken meatballs on the ground outside the dumpster at Grocery Outlet. so my protein needs for the next few days are met, but I was hoping for something better for tonight; spent $3 and change at Petaluma Market for .4 pounds of Progressive Pastures grass-fed beef and made a burger out of it. very yummy. [comment]
got through to Clipper customer service today and got my refund, but it wasn't as much as I'd thought. due to the delay in checking card status online, the $10.35 I'd seen was the previous day's balance. the trip only cost $6.80, and should have been $5.20. anyway, all is well. [comment]
yesterday I got my atomic swap code working with the bitcoin 10.0 client on both regtest and testnet, or at least I think so. today I managed to get it working with americancoind, up to spending the p2sh funds, which appears to have failed. if Americancoin has to be upgraded to be in sync with Litecoin 10.2.2, it's going to need a lot of work. somewhere between 100k to 500k lines of source were changed. hard to say exactly because the Americancoin developers didn't keep the git history showing where they forked Litecoin. [comment]
jogged/walked into Novato today to see if the route along 101 still works. it does, but it's different. maybe if/when I get back next spring the bike route will be complete.
forgot to tag off with my Clipper card when I got to 2nd and C in Petaluma, so I paid the full fare to Santa Rosa, $10. damn. that hurts. I found $3 on the sidewalk in Novato outside a pizza joint, so that mitigated it somewhat, but losing all that money is still painful to contemplate.
that whole Clipper card thing is just evil. the buses should accept credit cards, just like they accept cash, and let you pay in advance for the distance you're going. someday I'll get even and put GGT and Clipper out of business by coming up with a new, personal transit system that obsoletes their stupid monopoly. [comment]
my large hand drill finally broke for good a few days ago. it was the main sprocket, a pot-metal casting. hated to chuck it, but that's something I don't know how to fix.
that sensitive tooth on my left lower jaw is getting worse, but it doesn't hurt all the time. I should be able to make it to Mexico. [comment]
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text:
What's Hot Today
In the pilot of "The Americans," Philip tried to convince his wife Elizabeth to at least consider defecting from their lives as KGB operatives undercover in the United States. She was steadfast in her commitment, patriotism and loyalty to the cause, despite his reservations. One of the things Philip worried about was their children. This week, they got a virtually impossible mission. They had to bug the house of the Secretary of Defense and they only had three days to do it. Impressively, they came up with a plan to pull it off, but didn't have a lot of time to worry about the variables. Read More... //feeds.huffingtonpost.com/~r/HP/Entertainment/~3/GFAPhJRdkXk/the-americans-impossible-mission-video_n_2636349.html
The Americans The Clock" Episode 2 airs Wednesday Feb 6 2013 at 10pm on FX. Episode Synopsis : When Philip and Elizabeth are given an urgent task to plant a bug in Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger's office, they risk exposure when an unwilling maid of the Weinberger home refuses to cooperate. Stan closes in on a member of the Soviet Rezidentura in an effort to uncover the identities of deep cover Directorate S operatives. READ MORE...
On FX's new drama The Americans , two Russian spies move to the United States, start a family and spy on — you guessed it — America. Welcome to the height of the Cold War, an era when Americans lived in constant fear that the Russians could get the upper hand. The cleverness of The Americans is that the show actually gets you rooting for the bad guys. That's because, deep down, the series is a family drama — this just isn't your conventional family... //www.tvguide.com/News/tv-genres/fx-Americans-Russell-Rhys-1060090.aspx?rss=breakingnews


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Each manufacturing process is driven by the demand for high-quality goods at minimum costs. When it comes to production equipment, like milling, turning, drilling or grinding machines, the inevitable vibrations originating from the cutting process are one important factor which could limit the above-mentioned goals. The common approach to conteract chatter vibrations is to adapt the production parameters often resulting in reduced material removal rates.
From a structural dynamics point of view, the conventional (passive) approach to keep vibration levels low is to build a rigid machine with as much damping as possible. Alternatively, active vibration reduction (AVR) systems can be used. Such systems offer an additional degree of freedom in vibration reduction by actively generating motion or forces with a positive influence on structural dynamics. Depending on the implemented control algorithm, e.g. additional damping or counter-vibrations can be generated resulting in the requested vibration reduction.
Active vibration reduction (AVR) system
Such an AVR system consists of at least a sensor, a controller and an amplifier with actuator. The sensor picks up the vibration of the machine, the controller determines the appropriate counteracting signal, which is amplified and fed to the actuator that induces the counter-vibration into the machine.
Figure 1: Diagram of AVR system components
Machine tool retrofitted with active damping device (ADD)
One concept of AVR is to use an inertial mass actuator. These devices can easily be attached to existing machine tools (retrofitting). For optimum performance, the location has to be carefully selected. A manufacturer of big milling machines wanted to improve their performance with respect to vibrations during machining (chatter). A biaxial 250 N actuator was used for the retrofit. The effect of the controller can easily be seen in Figure 2.
How far the limits in a milling, turning, drilling or grinding process can be pushed by integrating an AVR in a structure or by retrofitting an ADD strongly depends on the individual vibration problem (e.g. process, workpiece, material, tool, machine configuration, actuator location). Please contact us for support in selecting, engineering and implementing the right AVR system for your application.


text:
I'd like to set up an environment where I can use VNC to remotely support my clients over the internet. No VPNs and no port forwarding involved. I've used the UltraVNC repeater in the past, but the problem is that it requires a dedicated Windows server. What I'd like to do is as follows:
VNC Client (me) -> NAT -> Internet -> NAT -> VNC Server (the person I'm offering support to)
I'd basically like the same functionality that the UltraVNC repeater offers, but the only internet environment I have to host something on is a Linux shared server (standard hosting - PHP, Apache, etc.).
- Multiple platform support for both Client and Server - specifically Mac and Windows
- Allows for connection with multiple NATs involved (Client and Server side)
- Will allow me to use my existing hosting environment for any repeater that might be involved
I believe the way this would work is that the Server (the person I'm offering support to) when online would connect to a listener on the internet. When they needed support I would connect my Client to the same listener, see them connected, and use the listener (man-in-the-middle) to piggyback my Client to connect to their Server.
I'm open to using any software (not limiting myself to VNC†) but would prefer a FOSS solution (which is why I'm leaning towards VNC). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Update: I've found a Linux port of the UltraVNC repeater, but haven't yet tried to set it up on my hosting account (and don't even know if it's possible with the type of account I have). If anyone else has used this I'd like to know how well it works. Also, it seems that ChunkVNC is an UltraVNC wrapper that supports OSX, so I'm also going to be giving this a try. Will update more once I've tried this combination.
† For anyone who wants to mention a non-VNC solution, please instead add those to any of the many other questions that have answers referring to TeamViewer, LogMeIn, Copilot, CrossLoop et al. Like: What's the best Remote Desktop Application?


text:
I think this must be well-known, but I can't find references, so my apologies from the very beginning.
Consider first the notion of bialgebra. It is usually defined as an object $B$ in the category ${\tt Vect}_{\mathbb K}$ of vector spaces over a given field $\mathbb K$ with a system of morphisms in this category (multiplication, unit, comultiplication and counit) such that the multiplication and the unit turn $B$ into an associative algebra, the comultiplication and the counit turn $B$ into a coassociative coalgebra, and a system of commutative diagrams is provided for the compatibility. These diagrams can be understood as the requirement that the comultiplication and the couint are morphisms in the category ${\tt Alg}_{\mathbb K}$ of algebras (or, equivalently the multiplication and the unit are morphisms in the category ${\tt Coalg}_{\mathbb K}$ of coalgebras). So the whole definition can be understood as follows:
a bialgebra is exactly a comonoid (=a coassociative coalgebra) in the category ${\tt Alg}_{\mathbb K}$ of associative algebras over $\mathbb K$ (or, equivalently, a monoid (=an associative algebra) in the category ${\tt Coalg}_{\mathbb K}$ of coassociative coalgebras over $\mathbb K$).
If we try to define Hopf algebras in the same way, then we face an obvious difficulty: the diagram for antipode can't be immediately interpreted as a diagram in the category ${\tt Alg}_{\mathbb K}$ of associative algebras.
I wonder if there exists a trick for overcoming this? Is it possible that the diagram for antipode can be changed into equivalent diagrams in ${\tt Alg}_{\mathbb K}$ (so that we obtain a correct definition of Hopf algebras as objects in ${\tt Alg}_{\mathbb K}$)?


text:
MICC Our New Product Offering
Product Data Sheet Downloads
Why are all my Customers Complaining When all my Lights are Green? Learn why and how to resolve this network connection dilemma.
MyConnection Server 10 delivers MICC – the game-changer for Network Quality Assessment that you've been searching for. MICC is a Cloud-based Independent Certification Network Assessment Service. It delivers value to MyConnection Server customer-base to seamlessly leverage Visualware's rapidly expanding Quality Testing Assessment Points (APs) – to learn more download…
The Obsession with Bandwidth Part 2
Part 2 extends this discussion to introduce the importance of network quality and the user experience. Reading Part 1 is recommended for better understanding of key network measurement concepts discussed further in Part 2.
The Obsession with Bandwidth
Over the last 20 years the number one recommendation to resolve network experience problems has been 'get more bandwidth'. However, despite bandwidth increasing by several orders of magnitude, a poor user experience still remains the no. 1 complaint.
Understanding Internet Speed Test Results
Oftentimes speed test results show 'fast' speeds in a connection test, however the user experiences poor performance when using Internet applications -- this paper explains why.
Solving Last Mile Connection Speed Problems
This paper analyzes last mile connection problems and how they relate to network congestion and network traffic regulation.
Never Mind the Connection Speed, Measure the Connection Consistency!
This paper explains how connection consistency impacts connection performance, and provides analysis of several MySpeed graphs showing data transfer delays.
Quality of Service
MySpeed products report the Consistency of Service (COS) of a network connection. Read this explanation of what COS is and how it is derived in MySpeed products.
Quality of Service - Why it Matters
The consistency of bandwidth capacity is key factor affecting the performance of web application delivery, particularly time-sensitive applications such as VoIP and multimedia. Read this practical explanation of why quality service matters.
Solving network problems with MCS
Restricted Connection Capacity by a Policy Based Event
Oftentimes a policy setting on a networking device can adversely affect service levels.
Identifying a Network Routing Problem
Many network problems occur outside the data center on the connection route.
Restricted Connection Capacity by TCP Window Size
A TCP window size that is too large or too small can cause data traffic bottlenecks and delays.
Recognizing an Over Utilized Network
Over-subscribed or utilized networks have an easily recognizable traffic pattern.
MCS Access Series Quality Test Appliances
Access Series devices extend the MCS application with testing points that identify TCP data flow quality problems. These problems can cause application and network performance to degrade; over 40 additional metrics are reported. Appliance options include portable and rack mount units, 100Mbps or 1Gbps support, and multi-port configurations. The embedded NetQCheck software and lack of OS or file system provide the added benefit of secure testing points, eliminating security risks associated with conventional PC/server solutions.
MCS NetQCheck Pi Appliance
These devices are small Linux systems with installed NetQCheck software that delivers a low-cost solution for automated connection testing. The devices and testing processes are centrally managed in MCS. The NetQCheck Pi devices are limited to 100Mbps and do not report the more in-depth TCP quality analysis that is reported by the Access Series appliances, however they provide the same accurate measures of TCP throughput, VoIP jitter/packet loss, UDP Capacity and network routing.
With more and more customers complaining about their online experience, is network monitoring up to the job?
In the digital era, consumers have more choice than was ever imagined a little over a decade ago. The well-worn phrase, 'competition is only a click away', defines the sentiment that reinforces the expectation of both consumer and supplier alike.
Do 'Network Monitoring' solutions Help or Hinder the Online Customer Experience?
Considering the very large investments made by businesses and service providers in network monitoring solutions, why is poor service quality still the number one complaint from online customers?
London Olympics traffic light policy changes exposes identical problems for Internet traffic
For those who have had the privilege of driving in London you will be only too aware that traffic moves at a snail's pace throughout the day and then slows down during rush hours. Traffic demand that exceeds the capacity of extremely narrow roads delivers the expected result of frustratingly long delays.
Does lack of Net neutrality destroy the benefits of network monitoring?
What is Net Neutrality? In simple terms it is the principle that all Internet users are equal and there are no restrictions imposed by Internet service providers on user's content, on the publisher or the content, on the usage of the content or performance of the flow of content.
Popular Myths about Internet Speed
Every time an advertisement for an Internet Service provider appears in the media, the focus is to aggressively extol the virtues of 'so many' megabits per second. These advertisements are designed to increase sales, playing to the Internet users obsession with 'speed'.
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text:
Product Description
FAR Dripper - Neon Red Slushie
A union of brisk flavours, juicy watermelon with sweet red berry notes is soothingly delightful and totally refreshing. Tangy black currant, succulent berries and stimulating watermelon are the perfect recipe for a juicy chiller that will keep you cool and collected.
Primary Flavors: Watermelon, Mixed Red Berries, Ice
Bottle Sizes: 10ml
The mix ratio is approximately 25% PG - 75% VG
Made in: USA
Mix & Match any 3 Selected FAR Dripper E-Liquids for £12.99
Product Reviews
Showing reviews 1-10 of 17 | Next
Neon Red Slushie
Posted by Karl on
Great fruity flavour plus some sweet-candy like flavour from the slushie part of it. Well balanced and refreshing.
Posted by Adrian on
Love the taste, the flavour and the smoke! I would definitely buy again.
Neon Red Slushie
Posted by Zevon on
Hands down this are awesome juice.
Posted by Arthur on
Really nice stuff.
Posted by Finley on
Absolutely awesome. Great service. Fast Delivery.
Posted by Alex on
The flavour is overpowering and captures an intense taste.
Neon Red Slushie
Posted by Albert on
Nice flavour as described. Well balanced and refreshing.
FAR - Neon Red Slushie
Posted by David on
This is a nice vape, good clouds and the ice makes it feel.
Neon Red Slushie
Posted by Oscar on
Neon Red Slushie has a great taste of watermelon only sweeter and a methol hit.
Neon Red Slushie
Posted by H.K. on
Nice flavour as described but also picking out a slight watermelon taste on the exhale. Fast delivery and great service.
Showing reviews 1-10 of 17 | Next
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text:
Educational Slides
This collection of Educational Slides is provided courtesy of the slide authors and presenters. The slides have been prepared for educational purposes, either specifically as a slide resource or for an educational lecture.
ESMO is grateful to the contributors for preparing these slides and granting ESMO permission to host these on OncologyPRO as a resource for ESMO members.
ESMO 2017 Congress: Access the slides and webcasts from the Educational sessions
(ESMO members only)
Skin Tumours
- Mohs surgery for NMSC - is it really necessary? - presentation by Mariana Zamir for the MOPE 2015 conference (October 2015, Bulgaria)
Palliative and Supportive Care
- Continuing Care: Breakthrough Cancer Pain - presentation by Sebastiano Mercadante presented at the 3rd SEOM Symposium, 23 October 2014, Madrid, Spain
Cancer Prevention
- Skin cancer prevention in solid organ transplant recipients - presentation by Mariana Zamir for the MOPE 2015 conference (October 2015, Bulgaria)
- Cancer Prevention - ESMO Core Curriculum Slide Set - presentation by Dirk Schrijvers created in August 2011
Clinical Trials
- Interpretation of Clinical Trials - presentation by Alberto Sobrero created in February 2012
Colorectal Cancer
- Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Use of Biological and Molecular Targeted Agents - presentation by Claus-Henning Köhne created in October 2011
- Multidisciplinary Management of Rectal Cancer - presentation by Alberto Sobrero created in February 2012
- Optimal Treatment for a Patient with Liver Metastases: the Oncologist Perspective - presentation by Josep Tabernero created in February 2012
- Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer - presentation by Josep Tabernero created in February 2012
Molecular Biology
- ESMO Glossary in Molecular Biology of Cancer: Slide Resource - presentation by the ESMO Translational Research Working Group created in December 2012


text:
Cristian wrote:
> I noticed a strange noise while listening to a song, I did a chkdsk
> and I found 48 kb in bad sectors. My recorder is just a month old, is
> this normal, I mean just 48 kb in a 20gig HDD, or should I worry and
> ask archos a replacement unit or a new hard drive?
I'd definitely ask for a new one.


text:
Do you dream about your pooch or kitty turning into a well-mannered, well-behaved pet? Have you considered training your furry buddy, but aren't sure which method is best? One of the best-known training techniques is positive reinforcement. You may have heard it referred to as reward-based training. Well it works for us humans, so it should work for our four-legged companions, right? Let's see what the experts think:
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
These veterinary behaviorists have research to back them up, so they should know what they're talking about. And guess what? They promote the use of positive reinforcement and negative punishment. With positive reinforcement, you reward good behavior. This increases the likelihood the behavior will occur again. With negative punishment, you ignore bad behavior. This decreases the likelihood the behavior will continue. Neither method involves the use of physical pain or punishment. Makes total sense to us. (By the way, don't confuse negative punishment with negative reinforcement, such as hitting and yelling).
Victoria Stilwell
Victoria is one of the most recognized and respected dog trainers and a star of Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog. She's also a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement dog training methods. Her book Training Your Dog Positively teaches force-free training techniques.
The Humane Society (HSUS)
This national animal protection organization advocates a "just say yes to training your dog with treats and praise." And it has a useful tip sheet to help you learn how to do this. The tips cover everything from when to use positive reinforcement, to the types of rewards to use. We like to give our dog a chew from the new line of Buffalo Range All Natural Buffalo Rawhide treats at the end of their training sessions as an extra reward. Because a good doggie deserves a special treat such as these tasty, healthy and long-lasting chews.
Zak George
Zak is a YouTube star, Animal Planet personality and author. And he believes that using loving and positive training methods will help pet parents "create a good relationship that lasts forever." Watch his video to find out why Zak thinks positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Another animal protection organization that supports training methods that incorporate "kindness and respect for both the pet and the guardian." They say that "humane training does not inflict unnecessary distress or discomfort on the pet." Instead, it makes "primary use of lures and rewards such as food, praise, petting, and play." We have to agree. We personally respond positively to warm words and offers of our favorite snacks.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners
These vets who practice feline care say that "cats learn best through positive reinforcement." Favorite rewards for cats? "Delicious treats, catnip, interactive play, petting and grooming." We're convinced of the merits of reward-based training for pets. How about you? Do you have a success story you can share about using positive reinforcement to train your pet? We'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.


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Chocolate Drizzled Black Sesame Popcorn Balls
I feel like I've been rambling too much as of late and you guys could use a break so I think I'm gonna keep this one fairly short today with minimal rambling.
Unfortunately though, saying here's a recipe, it's good, make it….., that's probably not the best way to attract new readers. Trust me, I wish that wasn't the case because I don't like to be the one doing the rambling in the first place, and it would make my life a whole lot easier. Especially on days when I'm drawing a blank, like today.
My computer isn't very happy with me right now and it's been really lagging under the crazy amount of stuff I've been trying to make it do. I'm doing my best to keep it from finding out how much worse it's going to get over the holidays. We won't mention it, shhhhh. Yep, so there's that, oh, and someone drank all my coffee this morning…..wait that was probably me, but I still felt the need to get more. Life problems.
I think these popcorn balls are a fun change from your traditional marshmallow or peanut butter ones. Hey, those are great too but sometimes you want something new, you know? I love how the black sesame with chocolate drizzled all over it makes them look spooky and yet it's completely natural. It's not a really strong color but it's plenty to make them fun for the kiddos. I just don't understand adding tons of food dye to foods that are already not the greatest in the food pyramid. "Hey, this will give my kids rotten teeth if they eat too much, hmmm, might as well throw in a dose of cancer to go with it." Yeah, cause that's logical.
I don't get it, but I guess making sweets like this in the first place doesn't give me a lot of room to talk. Come on though, popcorn balls are a classic and October's almost gone. It's okay to indulge a little bit, don't you think? And if you're going to indulge in something super sweet then I think you need to try these. The black sesame flavor is pretty subtle and even those in my family who aren't big on the flavor enjoyed these. Ha, that reminds me, my little brothers have reached the age where saying the name popcorn balls makes them burst out laughing and it's contagious when they do that. Oh my goodness, boys…..
By the way, if you aren't into black sesame or can't find it, this recipe also works if you replace the black sesame paste+butter with some good old peanut butter. Alrighty then, so that's pretty short, right? I hope you all have fun plans for the rest of your week, and they need to include popcorn balls! (Did that make you laugh?)
6 Comments
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Haha, I always wish I could just be like "Here's a recipe, eat it. It's yummy. the end." But that's bad for SEO or whatever. Food blogger problems.
In other news: These popcorn balls are compl-EATING my life. Adore!
Haha, yes food blogger problems. You're the queen of a good pun Taylor! I'm so glad you like these!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen
Such a fun idea to put popcorn on a stick! So much better than regular popcorn, and perfect for halloween – especially with that chocolate drizzle <3
That's what I think too! Happy Halloween, Claudia!
ha! These look beautiful – they are enough mouthful! 🙂
Haha, thanks Jessie!


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Australian sports fans were shocked when three Australian cricketers were caught up in a ball tampering scandal, leading to the downfall of the Australian cricket captain and his deputy.
The public watched while the story unfolded with the Australian cricket captain initially stating that he and the "leadership group" had instructed another player to tamper with the ball. There was much discussion about how the culture of the Australian cricket team had gone sour and how the team had strayed so far from the path that it would resort to cheating.
Following an investigation by Cricket Australia, the "leadership group" was subsequently revealed to comprise the captain and vice-captain of the Australian team, with the investigation also finding that it was the vice-captain who had devised the scheme to use sandpaper to alter the surface of the ball. All three players involved were charged with breaching the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct and had sanctions imposed.
From that initial press conference to the players' acceptance of the sanctions imposed, here is what the Australia cricket saga can teach us about leadership and how important it is for businesses to get leadership right from the start.
Leaders are your culture warriors
We have often discussed in our webinars and blogs the importance of developing and maintaining a good workplace culture and values. Central to achieving this is the development and selection of leaders that exemplify and embrace the organisation's core values.
Hire for fit not favour
Recruitment will be a significant part of building and maintaining workplace culture and values so it is important to recruit employees who will adhere to and promote the values of the business. The best organisations, corporate or sports, will recruit or select primarily based on the character of a person.
Promotion based on tenure
Often employers elect to promote employees who have been with the business because of a perception that they have "served their time" even though the employee will not be the best person for the job or have the leadership or management skills that are needed.
Failing Leadership
As leaders play a central role in fostering and reinforcing organisational culture and values, it is important that they buy-in to the values and understand their role and responsibilities in setting the standard for other employees.
Action should be taken when leaders do not conform with the organisation's values – unfortunately for Cricket Australia it appears that their inaction has resulted in a much-publicised scandal that has had significant consequences for everyone involved from loss of personal and corporate sponsorships and personal and corporate reputational damage.
Avoid the star performer with no social skills
When thinking about who your organisation's next leaders might be, it should be remembered that not all employees are suitable for leadership or management positions. Employers often make the mistake of promoting employees who are the most talented or the highest income generators. However, those employees are not necessarily the best leaders of people. Placing these types of individuals into leadership positions can be disastrous and unsettling for a team's culture.
Who will be your organisation's best leaders should focus on who you believe best represent your organisations standards and values and, who understand the importance of your organisation's culture to the overall success of your organisation.
Information provided in this blog is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Workplace Law does not accept liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the content of this blog, or from links on this website to any external website. Where applicable, liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.


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Hi Everyone,
Hope all is well in your little corner of the world. It's really cold up here in the north east - and in my little corner many are being 'felled' by the flu. Just read that this year's flu shot only offers about 45% insurance against catching it ... hmmm ... not sure I like those odds. Hopefully if one does get the flu after having had the shot, it will be less severe and of a shorter duration.
Here's an image of moi that I adjusted in PSE with Threshold..., applied the free texture Virtually Vintage to it, and then placed the edited image on the Virtually Vintage texture, adding a Drop Shadow to the image.
I've been experimenting with using several textures with one photo element to make pieces of abstract art - will share some with you soon. Oh ... be warned ... I'm considering making that an optional challenge for an upcoming Photo Art Friday ... would you be up for it?
In the meantime, just want to remind you that if you have been considering subscribing to the private treasure trove of digital goodies known as Photo Art Resource Cache, you have only 10 days left to benefit from the low price of $25 for a 3 month subscription.
As of February 1st, the 3 month subscription to P.A.R.C. will cost $40 - which is actually still a great price for all the resources you will access. But why hesitate to take advantage of the introductory price of $25 while you can?
Here's what one new subscriber wrote after hesitating at first about subscribing:
"Bonnie - I can't believe that I hesitated for a single second when you opened up this texture resource. I feel like a kid in a candy store! Thank you!"
Photo Art Friday will be here before we know it. Have you considered preparing something using the optional theme of 'Hardware'? I just know there will be some inspiring submissions! Please join us. See you then!


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Finally, my Windows 7 Production PC gets into the groove
Anybody who's followed this blog for any length of time knows that I've fought my battles with both Vista and Windows 7, in terms of making my production PC stable and reliable. Today, I'm very happy to report that my production machine has finally achieved and held a 10.0 Stability Index for at least three days at a time, and that the latest hiccup in my reliability and problem history is my own fault: I neglected to hook up my USB keyboard after swapping in some new system components recently, and was forced to shut Windows down as a result (on 12/10/2009 as shown in the following screenshot):
Here's what I had to do to get myself into this situation of relative calm and proper operation:
- Troubleshoot the Dell AIO 968 printer's default behavior to install itself as an XPS print device rather than as a native print device (this forces all print documents to be reformatted into an XML format, which the printer can output, but which also caused the Print Filter Pipeline Service, aka printfilterpiplineservice.exe, to crash regularly and repeatedly).
- Switch from Spyware Doctor with Antivirus to Norton Internet Security 2010 (to quell repeated daily crashes of the pctsSvc.exe notification tray program for the former program, after trying unsuccessfully to get the nice folks at PC Tools to help me solve the problem over a period of 30 days).
- Clean up my MS Office 2007 installation (which involved replacing an older PPT Viewer application with a newer version at Secunia PSI's recommendation, then applying nearly a dozen Windows Update files that appeared in response to this change). This solved some repeated issues with Word and Outlook that had been entirely mysterious up to that point.
- Avoid installing toy or test progams on my production PC. As somebody who writes about software and utilities a lot, I've had to learn to resist the temptation to install them on a production PC, and to install them on a test machine instead — preferably within a VM so that they can't mess up my test machine's runtime environment, either.
- Groom the drivers on the production PC to make sure they're all current, correct, and working well with Windows 7. For that purpose, I've used Phoenix Technologies' DriverAgent Web site and my own ever-increasing understanding of how to fiddle with Windows device drivers. It usually takes me a month or so following a new OS install or system build to get everything working to my complete satisfaction.
To see what I was dealing with, here's the Windows 7 Reliability Monitor's graph from the day I installed Windows 7 RTM on my production PC (8/9/09) to today (12/22/09) where you can see my many and literal "ups and downs" in getting this system working properly:
I thought I had things licked the week of August 30, but found out the next week that I needed to alter the default configuration from installing the Dell AIO 968 printer drivers, then had to canoodle my way through the other issues mentioned in the preceding list until mid November. Everything else since then has been self-inflicted, and is part of my normal pattern of Windows system behavior: keep things running, make the occasional mistake or a change that alters stability for the worse, diagnose it, fix it, and keep on keeping on.
[Note: For the benefit of the sharp-eyed and incurably curious, the glitch that appears on 12/9/09 in the first screencap in this blog resulted from cancelling a hung Windows Explorer operation when I attempted to perform a search while the indexer was active. Rather than wait for the indexer conclude its operation and then complete the search I used Task Manager to shut the running instance down. This cost me a trivial 0.02 stability index points, but still shows up as an application failure glitch even though it makes no visible impact on the stability graph.]


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People who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are likely to find their survival chances are very slim. This particular form of the disease has a five-year survival rate of less than 10 percent. There are a number of factors that come into play that complicate treating this form of cancer as successfully as others. One of those factors happens to be the lack of a mechanism for identifying the cancer's different subtypes. Doing so would enabled more highly targeted treatments, researchers say.
Researchers have been delving into the issue of pancreatic cancer subtypes for some time. A recent breakthrough may have provided a way for doctors to better tailor treatments for their patients who present with pancreatic cancer. The research identified three distinct subtypes of the disease. This, in turn, may pave the way for the creation of drugs that target the specific subtypes while helping identify biomarkers that indicate the different forms of the disease more readily for doctors in the field.
Many others forms of cancer have been classified into their different subtypes over the course of recent years. This classification has led to major advances in treatments. While it remains unclear how soon pancreatic cancer patients may benefit from the subtype discovery, the findings represent a major step forward.
Pancreatic cancer is estimated to affect more than 53,000 Americans each year. Some 41,000 die from the disease annually. With few symptoms at its onset, pancreatic cancer is often detected in more advanced, less treatable stages.
People who are concerned about pancreatic cancer should speak directly to their healthcare providers about assessing personal risks. The disease has a number of known risk factors, including obesity, tobacco use, diabetes, family history and chronic pancreatitis. While routine screening is not available for this disease, those at especially high risk may find some screening procedures available to them. Early detection can make a difference in outcomes.


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Visit Safety Central for valuable risk resources.
We are committed to being a consistent source of educational services for healthcare professionals. That's why we provide access to training that mitigates risks and we offer information to help healthcare professionals make better decisions.
Visit GHPHRHelp.com or Safety Central.
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Learn more about our Hospice, Home Healthcare and Senior Living professional insurance programs.
We strive for friendly and professional policy administration, as well as quick and accurate claims handling.
Learn more about our Claims process.


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In this special Dillinger Escape Plan edition, we quickly look at an update on their recent bus accident, a BBC live performance, and the vinyl 12″ of Irony is a Dead Scene being repressed.
Update on The Dillinger Escape Plan Bus Accident
Earlier today The Dillinger Escape Plan revealed more information about their recent bus accident.
You can see from the images below the utter destruction from the crash. The band also passes on their thanks for the outpouring of support for the band.
The remainder of their tour has been canceled.
Live Performance with the BBC
BBC's Radio 1 Rock Show recently had The Dillinger Escape plan on to perform live. They recorded four songs at the Maida Vale studios and it's currently available online to listen to.
Greg and Ben briefly discuss how they performed the songs live, and a little about their final run of shows after the release of Dissociation. They also poked fun at the growing size of the members of Guns and Roses.
Have a listen, the songs are almost laid-back (if that's possible for The Dillinger Escape Plan).
Here's the songs they performed, sadly they didn't perform any of the songs from Irony is a Dead Scene.
- One of us is the Killer (One of Us Is the Killer – 2013)
- Symptom of Terminal Illness (Dissociation – 2016)
- Surrogate (Dissociation – 2016)
- Mouth Of Ghosts (Ire Works – 2007)
You can listen to the session on the BBC here.
Irony Is a Dead Scene Vinyl Repressed
In 2002 The Dillinger Escape Plan worked with Mike Patton to release Irony is a Dead Scene. A short, sharp, and intense four song EP introduced a huge number of Mike Patton fans to The Dillinger Escape Plan. The EP features three original songs and a cover of Aphex Twin's Come to Daddy.
This week, on 10 February 2017, the 12″ vinyl was repressed and rereleased. You can order a copy online today.


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[ Cambodia ] The Arrival
early in the morning. i'm on plane.. from one place to another.
this is few minutes after the plane depart
this is few minutes before the plane touch down..
and here we are, at Cambodia Siem Reap International Airport. yupe you're right. we come here for Angkor Wat
and this is our transportation.. powered by motorbike.
on the way to our hotel.
happen to spot a coconut cyclist on the road.. and this just the beginning...
obviously.. we took 2 motorbike powered transportation.
traffic jammed.. and their main transportation vehicle seem like is motorbike.
arrived at our hotel
and the place we stay. is call Golden Mango Inn... didn't see any mango around...
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Before it gets too late, I better do this :P You can now purchase a greeting card with a similar design to this one below, from my Zazzle page here or by clicking on the image below.
Take note, the image on Zazzle's card says "Merry Christmas!" instead of "Season's Greetings!" ^^/
Will update this picture on my Gallery page later, gotta cook dinner soon ^^;
I would like to say a heartfelt Thank you, to all those who had made purchases from my Zazzle page :D! I know some of you already have photos online, or intend to post photos when your items arrived. I intend to link up and feature some (if not all) of you when I get some time to do so ^^;/ Those who bought and received your product(s), feel free to write me or comment on my blog on what you think about quality and such! :3
On a slightly non-related note, I have temporarily set comment box to pop up, as I was told that the embedded comment feature was acting up — sorry about that!
6 Responses to puppy52.com greeting card on zazzle
FatB says:
Cutesy Clause, but looks like your puppy turned asian!
gordon says:
the Christmas lass looks lovely. why is she giggling? ^^;
Koshiko says:
Ah~ the puppy hanging from the circle is cute~
And your girls always look cute & sweet, how do you do it? <3
puppy52doll says:
fatB you want Chinese? lol
gordon maybe she blowing a kiss? lol
koshiko thank you! :D I'm glad you think so ^^!
Guin says:
Yeahs she look real cute. And so does the puppy!!
I think she is touching her lips cuz she WAS just kissed. (it explains the blushing.)
puppy52doll says:
guin hehe thank you :D and U kissed her? ^^;
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Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), can offer lifesaving treatment for the more than 10,000 Americans who receive one each month. But patients who receive ICDs need to be treated for more than their heart condition: Doctors need to pay close attention to their patients' mental well-being, too, which can affect their outcome and quality of life.
That's the message in a scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published in Circulation. Scientists and healthcare professionals evaluated evidence from rigorously reviewed studies to determine the effects of Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators on quality of life and psychological well-being.
As a result of this comprehensive overview, they found that significant psychological distress, chronic anxiety, and depression are common among people who have implantable cardioverter-defibrillators—and as many as 70 percent of those patients aren't being treated.
The good news is that living with an implant doesn't mean you have to live with distress.
The challenges of an ICD
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator prevents sudden cardiac death by restoring normal heart rhythm in patients with heart failure or heart-muscle damage. Those patients have a very high risk of life-threatening abnormal heartbeats called ventricular arrhythmias.
The device constantly monitors the heart's rhythm; when it detects a dangerous rhythm, it delivers an electrical shock that attempts to return the heartbeat to normal.
Most patients and their families adjust successfully to living with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, but some may need extra help adjusting emotionally. Doctors traditionally expect some cardiovascular disease patients to be anxious and depressed, but the feelings appear to be more widespread for ICD patients.
If you have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, you not only have to cope emotionally, but you also may be dealing with other challenges as well, such as:
• Your underlying heart disease
• The realization that the ICD won't reverse your disease
• The technological aspects and maintenance of your device
• Other coexisting illnesses
You may also be fearful of an electrical shock from the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, which can feel like a thump or strong kick to the chest. Shocks can trigger psychological distress—as can the anticipation of a shock or the inability to predict one.
The AHA's evidence review pointed to several studies that suggest patients can tolerate up to five shocks without a significant difference in quality of life, but after about five shocks, quality of life declines. More comprehensive studies are needed to look for a link between psychosocial distress and ventricular arrhythmia that leads to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock.
Another study concluded that the experience of just one shock is associated with reduced physical function and mental well-being. Other studies showed an association between a risk of shock and depression and psychological distress.
The review authors report, however, that while some patients may find shock sensations frightening and overwhelming, others find them reassuring because they know the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is working.
When you add these concerns to other common fears, such as battery failure, device recall, traveling, and general uncertainty about one's health, it's no wonder many implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients report mild to severe distress.
The number of people estimated to suffer from post-implantation distress was cause enough for the AHA to urge healthcare professionals to educate patients better about ICDs and provide them with ongoing psychological support.
A review of the data
Here's what the AHA researchers found after reviewing all the evidence:
• Approximately 20 percent of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients suffer from clinically significant psychological distress, according to one recent systematic review spanning 45 studies and more than 5,000 patients.
• Thirteen to 38 percent of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients suffer from anxiety. About 54 percent of patients who were anxious before implantation continued to suffer from chronic anxiety more than one year after receiving an ICD.
• Ten to 46 percent of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients are depressed.
• Twenty-one percent of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, likely due to experiencing multiple shocks or surviving sudden cardiac arrest. One year after implantation, the amount dropped to about 13 percent. PTSD can directly affect patient outcomes: In one study, patients with the disorder had an increased risk of death.
The studies featured in the statement had mixed results when pinpointing common factors among emotionally distressed patients, and more research is needed in this area. However, the researchers identified some trends, suggesting that people who may experience a greater degree of distress include those who:
• Have experienced more than five shocks
• Have other chronic illnesses
• Have a "type D" personality (negative, anxiety-prone)
• Lack understanding of the device and the underlying disease
• Are younger than 50 years old
• Are female
• Are single
• Perceive a lack of social support
A brighter outlook
Fears and distress can be alleviated with help from your doctor and other specialists. To help patients cope with living with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, the AHA recommends that patients be adequately counseled before implantation as to what to expect from an ICD and, afterward, undergo routine screening and appropriate treatment for depression, anxiety and PTSD.
If you are considering, or already have, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, make sure you and your loved ones have a full understanding of:
• The ICD's benefits and limitations
• Your disease's course and your general prognosis
• The impact the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator will have on your lifestyle, such as driving, travel and physical and sexual activity
• Battery longevity and device replacement
• What a shock means and what to expect
• What to do in the case of a shock (called a shock plan)
• How to handle a device recall
• End-of-life care goals, including device deactivation
If you have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and find yourself losing interest or pleasure in doing things, and are feeling down, depressed or hopeless, consult your doctor. These are all potential signs of psychological distress. Consider relaxation therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to help alleviate anxiety.
One study found that patients who participated in educational sessions and were taught skills to help them cope with anxiety had an improved ability to adjust to living with their device. You may also find it helpful to talk with someone who has personal experience living with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
If you're bothered by shocks, your doctor may be able to reduce or eliminate them by prescribing antiarrhythmic drugs. Your implantable cardioverter-defibrillator settings may also need to be reprogrammed.
Be sure to contact your doctor every time you experience a shock. If a shock is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or a rapid heartbeat—or if you have a cluster of shocks—go to an emergency room.
Finally, regular physical activity or cardiac rehabilitation after implantation can also help. Studies show that both appear to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety among ICD patients.
Read more about treatments for heart arrhythmias.