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The Comptroller and Auditor General of India discharges his multifarious duties through the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. The Department consists of about fifty thousand employees and is functionally organised into 133 specialised formations throughout the country.
At the apex of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department is the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General which directs, monitors and controls all activities connected with audit, accounts and entitlement functions of the Department. It is responsible for development of organisational objectives and policies, audit standards and systems, management of the manpower and material resources of the Department and final processing and approval of the Audit Reports. For carrying out these responsibilities, it has been organised on a sectoral basis and there are separate divisions dealing with Accounts and Entitlements, Civil Audit, Railway Audit, Commercial Audit, Revenue Audit, administration of Cadres, Training, Strategic Management, Professional Practices Inspection of field offices, IS and IT, etc. These divisions are headed by the Deputy / Additional Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General and Principal Directors.
Offices of the Accountants General (Audit) are responsible for audit of all receipts and expenditure of the Provincial Governments, and audit of Provincial Government companies, corporations and autonomous bodies.
Offices of the Principal Directors of Audit are responsible for audit of the activities of the Federal Government, including Civil Ministries and Departments, Overseas Establishments, Defence, Indian Railways, Federal Public Undertakings and Posts and Telecommunications.
Offices of the Accountants Generals (Accounts and Entitlements) handle the Accounting and Entitlement functions of the Provincial Governments.
The audit activities are divided into convenient groups headed by Deputy Accountants General/Senior Deputy Accountants General who report to the Accountant General.These officers are designated as Deputy Directors / Directors under the control of Principal Directors of Audit, in respect of Audit of Federal Government activities. The initial work of auditing (as well as accounting and entitlement functions still remaining with the Comptroller & Auditor General) is done in the various field formations of the organisation by auditors, clerks and accountants under the guidance and supervision of Assistant Audit Officers and Assistant Accounts Officers, who are in turn supervised by Accounts Officers or Audit Officers. Audit parties supervised by Audit Officers inspect the departmental offices and other organisations periodically and present inspection reports on their findings.
To enhance audit skills and update domain knowledge of the officials, the training facilities of the department comprise of national level and regional level institutes. These include National Academy of Audit and Accounts, International Centre for Information Systems and Audit and newly set up International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development.


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Trusted Insighthttp://thetrustedinsight.com/2019-09-11T13:01:05-04:00Trusted Insight, the world's largest platform for institutional investors with 40,000 LP investor professionals in 98 countries and territories around the globe. 30,000 institutional investors engage with Trusted Insight each week. They are actively investing in alternative assets, primarily private equity, hedge funds, real estate and private companies. Our users consist of pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, banks and insurance companies. 83% of Trusted Insight users continue to use the platform 6 months after initially signing up. Investors on the platform, on average manage in excess of $5 billion. We are a platform for qualified purchasers, not high net worth investors. As Trade War Pinches China, It Opens Doors Wide For Foreign Money 2019-09-11T13:01:05-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/as-trade-war-pinches-china-it-opens-doors-wide-for-foreign-money-20190911745/ As the Sino-U.S. trade war drags on, Beijing is throwing its door wide open to foreign investors as concerns grow over declining exports, capital flight and persistent yuan weakness. China Is Closing Innovation Gap With America 2019-01-22T19:31:05-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/china-is-closing-the-innovation-gap-with-america-bad-news-for-us-china-trade-war-20190122256/ Innovation could help China compete against the U.S. head to head in high-tech industries, intensifying the ongoing trade-war. VC Investment Reaches Record $41.8B In Q4 2018 2019-01-15T21:01:06-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/vc-investment-in-the-us-reaches-a-record-418b-in-q4-2018-driven-by-a-strong-ma-market-renewed-ipo-activity-and-mega-deals-kpmg-report-20190115686/ While the IPO market in the U.S. gained strength in 2018, many U.S. unicorn companies remained on the fence to see longer-term results. U.S., China Rivalry Goes Beyond Trade: Ray Dalio 2018-11-15T10:51:06-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-and-china-rivalry-goes-beyond-trade-says-ray-dalio-founder-of-worlds-largest-hedge-fund-20181115175/ "The trade war, I think, can be worked out," the billionaire investor Dalio said. "History has shown there's a concept called the 'Thucydides Trap'" that indicates conflict. China Pledged To Invest $250B In The U.S. 2018-04-02T08:31:04-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/china-pledged-to-invest-250b-in-the-united-states-now-what-apr-2-2018-20180402141/ In November, President Trump claimed a win when he returned from his Asia tour touting $250 billion in deals with China. Those agreements, which span sectors like energy, aviation and tech, could be ammunition for Beijing as it spars with Washington over trade. 10 CIO Candidates For The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund 2017-08-24T22:07:48-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/10-cio-candidates-for-the-united-nations-joint-staff-pension-fund-20170824304/ The $60 billion United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is accepting nominations for a new chief investment officer, and Trusted Insight created a shortlist of 10 highly qualified candidates poised to assume (or maintain) the role. Insider Selling: BlackRock Ltd. Duration Income Trust (BLW) Major Shareholder Sells 1,004 Shares of Stock 2017-07-10T10:25:58-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/insider-selling-blackrock-ltd-duration-income-trust-blw-major-shareholder-sells-1004-shares-of-stock-20170710884/ The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a $0.079 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this divi... Budweiser | A Dream Delivered | Folds of Honor 2017-07-02T10:59:50-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/budweiser-a-dream-delivered-folds-of-honor-20170702779/ This summer, we've been honoring those who protect our freedom to dream. So we delivered a life-changing scholarship to a family who has sacrificed for their country and for each other with the help ... AZ Endowment Investment Returns 10.06% 2017-05-30T11:20:38-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/az-endowment-investment-returns-1006-20170530946/ Arizona Endowment Investments Managed By State Treasurer's Office Sets New All-Time Record Of $5.57 Billion... Can a Man Responsible for $5 Trillion Convince You He's Not Powerful? 2017-04-18T16:45:56-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/can-a-man-responsible-for-5-trillion-convince-you-hes-not-powerful-20170418699/ Is $5.1 trillion enough? Not if you're Larry Fink. The man who built BlackRock Inc. and helped popularize exchange-traded funds now has ambitions to turn the world's largest asset manager into something more like Google. It's all about Aladdin, the pioneering software his company developed to analyze investments. Fink sees Aladdin becoming the Android of finance and predicts technology will soon become one of the biggest of BlackRock's businesses, with revenue approaching $5 billion in five years. Men Bet She Would Fail; Now She Runs a $26 Billion Fund 2017-04-10T17:38:09-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/men-bet-she-would-fail-now-she-runs-a-26-billion-fund-20170410405/ Dawn Fitzpatrick manages the billions in family wealth of the investor George Soros. But she takes over at an unsettled moment for global markets.... Carlyle Extends Private Equity Oil Rush With $587M Shell Deal 2017-03-31T11:00:40-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/carlyle-extends-private-equity-oil-rush-with-587m-shell-deal-20170331052/ Private equity funds have increased their presence in oil exploration and production outside the United States since the 2014 collapse in oil prices, snapping up assets from oil companies seeking to reduce debt and narrow operations. Citi Named Placement Agent of the Year by Private Debt Investor 2017-03-03T08:10:06-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/citi-named-placement-agent-of-the-year-by-private-debt-investor-20170303052/

Bank Receives Top Honors in U.S., Europe

<time datetime="2017-03-01T13:59:00Z" itemprop="dateModified">March 01, 2017 08:59 AM Eastern Standard Time</time>

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citi was named Placement Agent of the Year by Private Debt Investor (PDI), a leading international publication covering the world's private debt markets. The designation includes two separate wins regionally in both Europe and in the Americas, which encompasses the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.

 The winners of the annual global PDI awards are chosen by the magazine's readership, which represents over 23,000 across the globe, with institutional investors representing the largest segment. The publication annually recognizes the best and brightest industry participants helping to shape private debt markets.
 Citigroup Global Markets Citi Private Debt Private Equity Mezzanine Private Markets Fixed Income Direct Lending Asset Allocation Pensions Insurance Endowments Foundations Family Office PE Real Estate Infrastructure Nithin Johnson Head of Americas Peter Arnold Global Head International Fund Distribution Oregon State University Opts To Dump Fossil Fuel Investments 2017-01-24T11:10:44-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/oregon-state-university-opts-to-dump-fossil-fuel-investments-20170124743/ In a little-noticed action on Inauguration Day, the Oregon State University board of trustees voted overwhelmingly to sell most of OSU's $8.8 million in fossil fuel stocks.... 2 VCs Among Most Powerful People In Business Technology In 2016 2017-01-02T00:35:01-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/2-vcs-among-most-powerful-people-in-business-technology-in-2016-20170102019/ 2 VCs are among most powerful people in business technology in 2016. Byron Deeter of Bessemer Ventrues and Jason Lemkin of SaaStr fund. Hedge Fund Winners and Losers Emerge as Year Ends on Better Note 2016-12-28T11:28:21-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hedge-fund-winners-and-losers-emerge-as-year-ends-on-better-note-20161228924/ This was the year to ridicule hedge funds. Pension funds, politicians, Warren Buffett, even hedge fund managers themselves -- they all had something to say about the disappointing performance, high fees and market saturation. Well-known managers from Ray Dalio to John Paulson saw performance on their main funds range from flat to double-digit losses, while some distressed-debt investors like Jason Mudrick benefited from the rally in commodities prices. Strategies focused on macro trends and equity hedges -- which have seen returns crimped by swollen stock-market valuations and ultra-low interest rates -- produced the worst returns. U.S. Charges 3 With Bribery Involving New York State Pension Fund 2016-12-21T17:38:03-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-charges-3-with-bribery-involving-new-york-state-pension-fund-20161221790/ A former portfolio manager who was responsible for investing more than $53 billion in New York State employee retirement funds took more than $100,000 in bribes in exchange for steering more than $2 billion in pension business to two brokers, earning them and their firms millions of dollars in commissions, federal authorities said on Wednesday. Trian's Peltz Started Building New Stake In Undisclosed Company 2016-12-05T17:24:41-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/trians-peltz-started-building-new-stake-in-undisclosed-company-20161205055/ "We've started buying about two weeks ago. We of course can't announce it now. We've bought quite a bit of stock and we've got quite a bit more to buy," Peltz said. Peltz's firm often pushes for chan... Accel Partners Raises $450M In Fifth Indian Venture Capital Fund 2016-12-02T13:35:08-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/accel-partners-raises-450m-in-fifth-indian-venture-capital-fund-20161202958/ Venture capital firm Accel Partners has raised $450 million under a new fund to make seed and early-stage investments in Indian startups, it said. This is the fifth and the largest India fund of the Silicon Valley-headquartered VC firm which has been an early backer of leading internet companies including Flipkart, BookMyShow, Myntra, FreshDesk and BlueStone, among others. Marc Andreessen: Flying Cars Are Closer Than You Think 2016-11-28T12:09:36-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/marc-andreessen-flying-cars-are-closer-than-you-think-20161128763/ Marc Andreessen may be the most dedicated optimist in Silicon Valley. During a year when the public's attention was often focused on international conflict, mass shootings, and a bitter election, the co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has insistently pointed toward progress. Until it fell silent in September, Andreessen's hyperactive Twitter feed served as a guide to the good news: people rising out of poverty, the surprising durability of the US economy, and all manner of fast-growing tech products and services. Samsung Group, Pension Fund Offices raided In Growing South Korea Scandal 2016-11-23T15:09:19-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/samsung-group-pension-fund-offices-raided-in-growing-south-korea-scandal-20161123690/ Prosecutors also raided South Korea's largest pension fund, the National Pension Service (NPS), an NPS spokeswoman said. The Yonhap news agency reported that investigators were probing NPS's decision... Former Princeton Fundraiser Shares Tips, Endowment Wisdom 2016-11-17T10:38:05-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/former-princeton-fundraiser-shares-tips-endowment-wisdom-20161117403/ What It's Like to Help One of the World's Richest Universities Get Richer? John T. Miller, a former fundraiser at Princeton, explains how he helped triple the school's endowment.... Explaining The Yale Investment Model's Success 2016-11-10T10:55:40-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/explaining-the-yale-investment-models-success-20161110080/ David Swensen has been the chief investment officer of Yale University's endowment fund since 1985. During this period, the Yale endowment has made significant changes in its asset-allocation pattern... Nashville Pension Fund Leads U.S. In Risky Investments 2016-10-13T11:38:40-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/nashville-pension-fund-leads-us-in-risky-investments-20161013525/ Strategy shows promise, but it's not clear if it's worth the risk to retirees, or the millions paid to Wall Street managers... U.S. Public Pensions Turn To Currency As Returns Sour 2016-09-15T10:50:30-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-public-pensions-turn-to-currency-as-returns-sour-20160915194/ With equities and bonds as the main stars of the pension investing world, currency funds, which hedge their assets, have been viewed as an afterthought for years. But their track records of stabilizi... Pollution Woes Prompt Pension Fund to Dump Duke Energy Stock 2016-09-08T10:05:12-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/pollution-woes-prompt-pension-fund-to-dump-duke-energy-stock-20160908801/ One of the world's largest investment funds is dumping its shares in Duke Energy Corp. because it sees too much risk in what it called the largest U.S. electric company's history of environmental damage, the fund's managers announced Wednesday. Hedge Funds Slash Bullish Natgas Bets, Fearing Less Summer Heat 2016-08-22T15:22:25-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hedge-funds-slash-bullish-natgas-bets-fearing-less-summer-heat-20160822039/ Hedge funds and other speculators cut their bullish exposure to U.S. natural gas to June lows, data showed on Friday, after varying forecasts for summer led to worries about reduced air conditioning ... Power Laws In Venture 2016-08-11T10:07:43-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/power-laws-in-venture-20160811425/ Almost all of modern finance theory is built around the assumption that things like prices and returns are normally distributed. But not everything is normally distributed; other processes can lead to other distributions. Endowment Beats Nation's Largest Pension Fund By A Factor Of 5, Earnings Distributed For All Investments Best In 8 Years 2016-08-02T11:52:24-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/endowment-beats-nations-largest-pension-fund-by-a-factor-of-5-earnings-distributed-for-all-investments-best-in-8-years-20160802911/ STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund returned 3.32 percent in FY 16, more than five times the announced rate of return of the nation's largest pension fund, State ... Herbalife Settlement With F.T.C. Ends Battle Between Bill Ackman And Carl Icahn 2016-07-15T16:23:06-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/herbalife-settlement-with-ftc-ends-battle-between-bill-ackman-and-carl-icahn-20160715043/ "This settlement will require Herbalife to fundamentally restructure its business so that participants are rewarded for what they sell, not how many people they recruit," said Edith Ramirez, chairwom... Chinese Emerge As Enthusiastic Buyers Of Property In The US 2016-07-11T14:00:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/chinese-emerge-as-enthusiastic-buyers-of-property-in-the-us-20160711764/ The volume of property sold to overseas buyers in the United States has declined slightly but Chinese people are buying more real estate, exceeding the amount of other top international buyers. Temasek Portfolio Value Drops 9%; First Slide In 7 Years 2016-07-07T11:55:05-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/temasek-portfolio-value-drops-9-first-slide-in-7-years-20160707622/ SINGAPORE — The Republic's investment firm, Temasek Holdings, reported its first annual decline in portfolio value since 2009 as volatile markets globally hurt the performance of its investments, and... Wal-Mart Heirs Again Top Forbes List Of 25 Richest U.S. Families 2016-06-30T11:09:49-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/wal-mart-heirs-again-top-forbes-list-of-25-richest-us-families-20160630312/ The Walton family, which owns roughly a 50 percent stake in retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc, was named the richest family in the United States for a third consecutive year on Wednesday, according to Forbes. UAE Investors Attend Stanford Entrepreneurs Summit 2016-06-29T16:04:08-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/uae-investors-attend-stanford-entrepreneurs-summit-20160629300/ The event, organised by the United States Department of State and initiated by US president Barack Obama in 2010, aimed to bring together entrepreneurs and investors from around the world who are creating new opportunities for investment, partnership and collaboration. Russian SWF Invests In Hyperloop One 2016-06-28T17:29:23-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/russian-swf-invests-in-hyperloop-one-20160628219/ A second Russian fund appears to be involved in Hyperloop One's latest $80 million round of financing, which was closed in April. Russia's sovereign fund RDIF has just announced that it took part in the round, without disclosing, however, the amount of its contribution. Mississippi's Pension Crisis Explained In Four Charts 2016-06-28T12:04:24-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/mississippis-pension-crisis-explained-in-four-charts-20160628181/ The defined-benefit pension system — which serves most state, county and municipal employees — has $16 billion in unfunded liabilities. That figure is likely to increase when this year's annual repor... Saudi Prince Met With VCs Mike Moritz, Marc Andreessen and Jim Breyer At Tech Summit 2016-06-28T10:08:26-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/saudi-prince-mohammed-met-with-20-silicon-valley-innovators-in-tech-summit-20160628142/ More than 20 Saudis recently participated in the 7th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley, showcasing some innovative work aimed at helping to create a better life for fellow citizens in the Kingdom. Foreign Pensions Encouraged To Invest In US Real Estate By Tax Reforms 2016-06-08T10:10:09-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/foreign-pensions-encouraged-to-invest-in-us-real-estate-by-tax-reforms-20160608084/ The reforms generally encourage foreign investment in U.S. real estate. Devon Energy To Divest US Assets For $1B 2016-06-06T12:15:58-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/devon-energy-to-divest-us-assets-for-1b-20160606907/ U.S. oil and natural gas producer Devon Energy Corp said it would sell assets in Texas for nearly US$1 billion and that it was making progress on the sale of other assets as part of its plan to improve its finances through divestitures. Blackstone President On The Hunt For US Energy Assets 2016-05-26T12:35:07-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/blackstone-president-on-the-hunt-for-us-energy-assets-20160526355/ Canada's energy assets are uneconomic and real-estate markets overvalued, making them less attractive for investment than in the U.S. and elsewhere, according to Tony James, president of Blackstone Group LP., the world's largest alternative-asset manager. Industry Survey Finds U.S. Wind Power Growing 2016-05-25T13:20:10-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/industry-survey-finds-us-wind-power-growing-20160525285/ The wind energy sector is on pace to meet about 10 percent of the electricity in the United States by 2020, according to industry representatives. US Remained Top Petroleum, Natural Gas Producer In The World In 2015 2016-05-24T16:05:08-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-remained-top-petroleum-natural-gas-producer-in-the-world-in-2015-20160524204/ The United States produced more petroleum liquids and natural gas than any other nation in 2015, federal energy data show. Even as low oil prices forced companies to delay drilling and postpone projects, U.S. producers still churned up more total hydrocarbons than Russia or Saudi Arabia last year. US Property Market 'Looking Good' 2016-05-23T15:40:10-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-property-market-looking-good-20160523112/ The United States property market is the next thing that investors should keep their eye on, says one leading real estate expert. Oil Discoveries Sink To Lowest Since 1952 2016-05-23T12:50:07-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/oil-discoveries-sink-to-lowest-since-1952-20160523055/ The oil and gas industry discovered 2.8 billion barrels of oil outside the United States last year, the equivalent of one month of global consumption, the US bank said. China To Support Steel Exports As US Imposes Hefty Tariffs 2016-05-19T13:25:05-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/china-to-support-steel-exports-as-us-imposes-hefty-tariffs-20160519876/ China said it would persist with controversial tax rebates to steel exporters to support the sector's painful restructuring, defying a United States move to impose punitive import duties on Chinese steel products. Investors Calling 'Timeout' On US Real Estate 2016-05-19T10:20:09-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/investors-calling-timeout-on-us-real-estate-20160519833/ US real estate cools to slowest quarter in five years. Starwood Capital's Sternlicht: Real Estate Getting Bubbly But Unlikely To Pop 2016-05-13T13:45:07-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/starwood-capitals-sternlicht-real-estate-getting-bubbly-but-unlikely-to-pop-20160513488/ Cheap borrowing may be pumping up property values, but strong fundamentals are mitigating the risks, says Barry Sternlicht. Hard Hats For Hedge Funds As $400B Mergers Collapse 2016-05-12T15:00:13-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hard-hats-for-hedge-funds-as-400b-mergers-collapse-20160512392/ More than $400 billion worth of corporate mergers have been withdrawn in the United States since the beginning of January — almost three times the previous record for the same period, Leslie Picker reports in DealBook France Studying Possible Ban On Import Of US Shale Gas 2016-05-11T12:00:12-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/france-studying-possible-ban-on-import-of-us-shale-gas-20160511285/ French Energy Minister Segolene Royal is investigating legal means to ban the import of shale gas from the United States because France has banned shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracking for environmental reasons. Oil Imports To The U.S. Have Shifted Dramatically Over 15 Years | Animation 2016-05-09T16:30:09-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/oil-imports-to-the-us-have-shifted-dramatically-over-15-years-animation-20160509154/
While green energy is making inroads particularly at the electrical grid, the majority of energy in the United States is still consumed by the industrial and transportation sectors. Today, it's still true that about 90% of all energy used for transportation comes from petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel.
 US Names Prominent Panama Real Estate Family As Drug Money Launderers 2016-05-06T13:00:12-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-names-prominent-panama-real-estate-family-as-drug-money-launderers-20160506009/ The United States has named Panama's prominent Waked family, who run a large luxury goods, duty-free shops and real estate business, as a major drug money-laundering organisation. Real Estate Execs Love 421a And Hillary Clinton: Survey 2016-05-06T09:55:06-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/real-estate-execs-love-421a-and-hillary-clinton-survey-20160506953/ It's no secret that developers are pining for the return of the 421a tax abatement, which expired at the start of this year and is seen as a crucial tool for the new development of multifamily housing – particularly rental units – in New York City. This Stunning Visualization Shows How US Oil Imports Have Changed Since 2000 2016-05-05T13:15:08-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/this-stunning-visualization-shows-how-us-oil-imports-have-changed-since-2000-20160505894/ Oil still accounts for 35% of all energy consumed in the US. United States Reaches 1M Solar Installations 2016-05-04T12:40:08-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/united-states-reaches-1m-solar-installations-20160504785/ SEIA and George Washington University report predicts that the United States will reach 2 million solar installations in 2018, and that 1 million PV systems will be installed annually starting in 2025. Credit Suisse's Rankin: Activism Gaining Strength Overseas 2016-05-04T12:35:06-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/credit-suisses-rankin-activism-gaining-strength-overseas-20160504784/ By Michael Flaherty (Reuters) - Bankers are seeing more evidence that activist investor tactics launched in the United States several years ago are making their way abroad. So far this year, international activist campaigns are up 30 percent, Robin Rankin, co-head of global mergers and acquisitions at Credit Suisse Group said on Tuesday. "We're going to see some traditional activism all over the world," she said, citing countries in Europe and Asia as examples. Last year, activist hedge funds began launching campaigns abroad to shake up management teams, prompt or interrupt mergers and generally get companies to improve financial returns,... OPIC In Solar Push For East Africa 2016-05-03T12:30:11-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/opic-in-solar-push-for-east-africa-20160503698/ [EA Business] Washington -The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a United States Federal government financing agency, has approved a $15 million loan for a new fund set up by SunFunder Inc to support solar energy in developing countries. Privatization Of The United States Air Traffic Control System Hits Roadblock In The U.S. Senate 2016-05-02T14:50:07-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/privatization-of-the-united-states-air-traffic-control-system-hits-roadblock-in-the-us-senate-20160502596/ Less than a month ago, it seemed clear that privatization was the wave of the future for the United States Air Traffic Control System ("ATC System"). On February 19, 2016, the United States House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure. Nigeria's LNG Exports To U.S. Drops To Zero 2016-05-02T12:06:43-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/nigerias-lng-exports-to-us-drops-to-zero-20160502564/ Nigeria's earnings from the petroleum industry continue to be hard-hit as the United States (U.S.) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import from Africa's most populous country fell from 20.3 million cubic feet in June 2007 to zero as of February this year. Warren Buffett: There Is No Bubble In Real Estate 2016-05-02T10:25:37-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/warren-buffett-there-is-no-bubble-in-real-estate-20160502523/ Says it won't cause the next financial crisis. Corporate VCs Turn To Accelerators And Incubators 2016-04-28T11:05:00-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/corporate-vcs-turn-to-accelerators-and-incubators-20160428386/ More than one-fifth of venture dollars invested in the United States came from corporate VCs last quarter, the highest level in the history of the venture industry. Turns out these investors did more than just write checks. In fact, they have been looking well beyond just capital for ways to bring innovation to their parent companies. Is Cuba The Next Big Commercial Real Estate Boom? 2016-04-20T09:00:51-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/cuba-and-the-booming-commercial-real-estate-industry-to-come-20160420073/ On March 20, 2016, President Obama became the first United States president in almost 90 years to visit the island of Cuba, located a mere 90 miles Bad News As US Mining And Manufacturing Slips Again 2016-04-18T12:20:28-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/bad-news-as-us-mining-and-manufacturing-slips-again-20160418963/ Industrial production in the US fell for a second consecutive month in March led by drops in output from mining and car manufacturing. Canadian Real Estate "Pretty Strong", According To REALpac CFO 2016-04-13T15:00:36-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/canadian-real-estate-fundamentals-pretty-strong-realpac-cfo-says-20160413893/ Nancy Anderson, CFO and vice president of the Real Property Association of Canada (REALpac), joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWise 2016: NAREIT's Law, Accounting and Finance Conference at... Hedge Funds Are the New Venture Firms 2016-04-12T16:06:54-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hedge-funds-are-the-new-venture-firms-20160412841/ In Silicon Valley, hedge funds with billion-dollar reserves are becoming the new venture capitalists.... Despite Weak Currency, Wealthy Mexicans Are Buying U.S. Real Estate 2016-03-30T11:36:57-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/despite-weak-currency-wealthy-mexicans-are-buying-us-real-estate-20160330422/ Mexicans spent $4.9 billion on U.S. real estate in the year through March 2015, despite Mexico's economic woes and a declining currency. Hedge Funds Dealt Setback As U.S. Sides With Argentina - The New York Times 2016-03-25T13:00:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hedge-funds-dealt-setback-as-us-sides-with-argentina-the-new-york-times-20160325225/ The United States government has weighed in on the legal battle between Argentina and a group of New York hedge funds, lending its support to the struggling country and dealing a setback to the investors. In a "friend of the court" — or amicus curiae — brief filed on Wednesday at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, the Justice Department said it supported an American federal judge's decision to lift an injunction that had prevented Argentina from raising new money in the bond markets or paying its creditors. The move comes during President... Chinese Find Australia A Good Place For Investments 2016-03-24T14:41:10-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/chinese-find-australia-a-good-place-for-investments-20160324181/ China is second only to the United States in the scale of its investment in Australia, with interests in increasingly broad sections of the economy. But while Canberra welcomes overseas investment, there has been opposition to the influx of Chinese money. Pension Funds Say Pearson Relies Too Much On U.S. Testing Business 2016-03-23T17:47:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/pension-funds-say-pearson-relies-too-much-on-us-testing-business-20160323108/ The coalition of unions — the British-based TU Fund Managers; the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund; and UNISON, which is one of the largest trade unions in Britain and 130 individual shareholders — has sent a resolution to Pearson demanding that it "conduct a thorough business strategy review of Pearson PLC including education commercialization and its support of high stakes testing and low-fee private schools and to report to shareholders within six months." U.S. and British labor unions whose pension funds own stock in Pearson, the world's largest education company, are challenging what they say is the firm's "over-reliance" on educational testing in the United States and plan to take up the issue at an April stockholders meeting. Feds Deny Permit For $7B Liquefied Gas Port And Pipeline In Oregon 2016-03-23T17:30:24-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/feds-deny-permit-for-7b-liquefied-gas-port-and-pipeline-in-oregon-20160323104/ Federal regulators denied permits Friday for a liquefied natural gas terminal in the southern Oregon coastal town of Coos Bay. End Of Cuba's Exile Opens Up New Opportunities For US Agricultural Ventures 2016-03-23T12:00:26-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/end-of-cubas-exile-opens-up-new-opportunities-for-us-agricultural-ventures-20160323065/ As part of President Obama's historic trip to Cuba to further normalization of relations, advance commercial and people-to-people ties, and express our support for human rights for all Cubans, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced several measures that will foster further collaboration between the U.S. and Cuban agriculture sectors. Kensington's Hedge Fund Commits To Productivity Media 2016-03-22T15:30:22-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/kensingtons-hedge-fund-commits-to-productivity-media-20160322033/ Kensington Capital Partners is pleased to announce an investment by the Kensington Hedge Fund 1 in the Productivity Media Income Fund I. Productivity Media provides non-correlated absolute returns for investors by lending to a highly underserviced market in film and television productions in Canada, the United States and the UK. Since starting the fund in August 2012, the Productivity Media Income Fund I has generated an average annual net return of 14% to investors. The Productivity Media team has over 60 years of industry experience in film and television financing, deal sourcing, production, distribution, and sales. In addition to their... Hedge Funds Now 'Strongly Bullish' On Oil 2016-03-22T11:30:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hedge-funds-now-strongly-bullish-on-oil-20160322999/ WTI crude oil prices have soared 37.6 percent in the past month, but the market remains divided on whether the oil rally is for real. Shares of the United States Oil Fund LP (ETF) (NYSE: USO) have only risen 28.0 percent during the past month, an indication that many investors are not convinced that the gains will stick. US Farmland Values Drop For 28th Consecutive Month 2016-03-22T10:14:56-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-farmland-values-drop-for-28th-consecutive-month-20160322988/ U.S. farmland prices have continued their spiral downwards for a 28th successive month owing to drought concerns.The US farmland price index has been recorded at 20.2 by researchers at Creighton University. NYC's New Real Estate Benchmark Is The Billion-Dollar Listing 2016-03-21T10:28:26-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/nycs-new-real-estate-benchmark-is-the-billion-dollar-listing-20160321915/ Every few weeks, it seems, another extravagant apartment is listed for nine figures. The commercial world is hoeing new ground, too — with a string of $1 billion–plus deals. Chart Shows How OPEC Is Now Guzzling American Oil 2016-03-17T13:30:15-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/chart-shows-how-opec-is-now-guzzling-american-oil-20160317707/ The American trade deficit with OPEC countries has flipped. World Map Shows Where Commodities Are Still Key Exports 2016-03-17T13:00:27-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/world-map-shows-where-commodities-are-still-key-exports-20160317706/ Given the current deflationary world, it is very notable how many countries in the world are dependent on commodities as the primary source of foreign income. Don't Get Too Excited: Plummeting Global Rig Count Could Trigger Oil Supply Crunch 2016-03-17T12:30:15-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/dont-get-too-excited-plummeting-global-rig-count-could-trigger-oil-supply-crunch-20160317702/ With much of the focus on oil production in the U.S. and the Middle East, a rapid reduction of oil exploration in the rest of the world could lead to a sooner-than-expected oil supply crunch, a new analysis warns. US Sees Oil Output Falling To Four-year Low In 2017 - No Surprises There! 2016-03-17T11:30:15-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-sees-oil-output-falling-to-four-year-low-in-2017-no-surprises-there-20160317690/ US crude production will fall to its lowest since 2013 next year as battered shale drillers idle rigs to conserve cash. Still, Brent crude fell. Net Metering Uncertainty Threatens To Disrupt Explosive Growth Of Solar Power 2016-03-17T11:00:32-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/net-metering-uncertainty-threatens-to-disrupt-explosive-growth-of-solar-power-20160317685/ After experiencing explosive growth in Massachusetts and elsewhere and driving the creation of new jobs and infrastructure, unresolved restrictions on "net metering" threaten to slam the brakes on considerable gains made by the solar power industry. Coal Made Up More Than 80% Of 18GW Retired Electricity Generating Capacity In 2015 2016-03-16T15:30:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/coal-made-up-more-than-80-of-18gw-retired-electricity-generating-capacity-in-2015-20160316655/ Coal's share of electricity generation has been falling, largely because of competition with natural gas.  Ray Dalio's Success Story: Net Worth, Education & Top Quotes 2016-03-15T18:00:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/ray-dalios-success-story-net-worth-education-top-quotes-20160315624/ Read about Ray Dalio, one of the most successful investors in the United States and founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates. Hydraulic Fracturing Accounts For About Half Of Current U.S. Crude Oil Production 2016-03-15T11:49:16-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hydraulic-fracturing-accounts-for-about-half-of-current-us-crude-oil-production-20160315577/ Even though hydraulic fracturing has been in use for more than six decades, it has only recently been used to produce a significant portion of crude oil in the United States.  Hyperloop Is The Perfect Way To Move Goods—Not People 2016-03-11T18:00:17-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hyperloop-is-the-perfect-way-to-move-goodsnot-people-20160311404/ The Hyperloop may prove to be a wondrous and radical technology that will change everything we know about travel. But there are several major challenges it needs to overcome, and those challenges suggest that Hyperloop might be better suited for transporting goods—not people. Warren Buffett Is On A Quiet Quest To Kill Solar In The West 2016-03-11T17:30:16-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/warren-buffett-is-on-a-quiet-quest-to-kill-solar-in-the-west-20160311402/ There are solar battles blazing all across the west right now, as utilities anchored to fossil fuel power plants strain to avoid the inevitable spread of solar across their areas of operation. A. Duie Pyle Inc. Secures The Approval For The Construction Of A New Transportation And Distribution Facility 2016-03-10T16:30:15-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/a-duie-pyle-inc-secures-the-approval-for-the-construction-of-a-new-transportation-and-distribution-facility-20160310345/ Kramer Levin has obtained an approval from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to facilitate the construction of a new transportation and distribution facility with a capacity for 70 tractor trailers for A. Duie Pyle, Inc., a supply chain services provider operating in the Northeast. Volatile US Oil And Gas Sector Spooks Investors 2016-03-10T11:58:09-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/volatile-us-oil-and-gas-sector-spooks-investors-20160310300/ After the recent uptick in petroleum prices, the U.S. oil and gas industry still finds itself east of Rock and west of Hard Place.  In College Endowment Returns, Davids Beat the Goliaths 2016-03-10T11:24:24-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/in-college-endowment-returns-davids-beat-the-goliaths-20160310288/ In the world of money management, bigger is often considered better. College and university endowments greater than $1 billion, for example, have long outperformed their smaller rivals.... Private Equity Fundraising In Asia Up 17% Year-To-Date 2016-03-10T10:00:24-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/private-equity-fundraising-in-asia-up-17-year-to-date-20160310275/ A total of 2,720 private equity funds are currently on the road seeking to raise US$965 billion, with the number of vehicles in fundraising mode up 6% year-on-year and the aggregate sum sought remained steady compared to one year ago, according to data released by Palico. EMG-Backed Coronado Picking Up Coal Assets From Consol For $420M 2016-03-09T14:00:15-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/emg-backed-coronado-picking-up-coal-assets-from-consol-for-420m-20160309242/ Coronado IV LLC, an Energy & Minerals Group-backed affiliate of mining company Coronado Coal LLC, agreed to acquire Buchanan Mine in southwestern Virginia and other coal assets from publicly traded Consol Energy Inc. for $420 million. Oil Prices Defend Gains As Output Dips, China Boosts Consumption 2016-03-09T13:30:21-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/oil-prices-defend-gains-as-output-dips-china-boosts-consumption-20160309241/ U.S. crude oil prices were steady in early Asian trading on Tuesday after lower domestic production as well as dipping output from OPEC tightened the market just as China further eased its monetary policy in a bid to boost consumption. US' Permian Basin Still Pumping Out Shale Oil - And Output Is Even Increasing 2016-03-09T11:24:31-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-permian-basin-still-pumping-out-shale-oil-and-output-is-even-increasing-20160309225/ U.S. shale-oil production is falling—just not so much in the Permian Basin. Private Equity Sees Risks And Reward In Uncertain Times 2016-03-08T12:00:15-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/private-equity-sees-risks-and-reward-in-uncertain-times-20160308154/ A record number of delegates from private equity firms and investors turned out this week for four days of networking at SuperReturn in Berlin, the industry's main annual gathering. At first glance a number of glitzy afterparties suggested the good times were continuing to roll as they have in the years following the financial crisis. But faced with upheaval in global asset markets, political uncertainty and a tougher debt environment, the sense was that the music could soon stop. CalSTRS And CalPERS To Sue VW Over Diesel Scandal 2016-03-08T11:14:31-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/calstrs-and-calpers-to-sue-vw-over-diesel-scandal-20160308148/ This March 14, 2013, photo shows Martin Winterkorn, then-CEO of German carmaker Volkswagen, at the company's annual meeting in Wolfsburg. Volkswagen said on March 3 that the former CEO may have been ... Warburg To Invest $500M In RimRock Oil & Gas 2016-03-08T09:30:25-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/warburg-to-invest-500m-in-rimrock-oil-gas-20160308133/ RimRock Oil & Gas ("RimRock" or "the Company"), a start-up oil and gas exploration and production company, today announced that Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm focused on growth investing, has agreed to a line-of-equity investment of up to $500 million in the Company. Structuring Family Offices In Asia 2016-03-07T18:08:54-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/structuring-family-offices-in-asia-20160307117/ Family offices are increasingly popular in Asia. In addition to helping plan the vehicle structure, professional trustees can provide even more value.... This Map Shows Where The US Will Export Natural Gas 2016-03-07T13:14:19-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/this-map-shows-where-the-us-will-export-natural-gas-20160307079/
America is getting ready to sell natural gas to Europe and Asia.
 New US LNG Export Terminals Face Increased Competition, EIA Warns 2016-03-07T13:09:20-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/new-us-lng-export-terminals-face-increased-competition-eia-warns-20160307078/ "Market conditions have changed since many LNG export projects in the United States were initially proposed," the EIA wrote Friday. "Proposed LNG terminals in the United States face not only increased competition from other domestic and foreign terminals that have been completed, but they also face uncertainty in global LNG demand." Stuart Ayres: More Venture Capital For Startup Businesses In New South Wales 2016-03-06T15:30:11-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/stuart-ayres-more-venture-capital-for-startup-businesses-in-new-south-wales-20160306045/ New South Wales Minister of Trade Stuart Ayres concerns on more needs of venture capital to raise start up business. He also said that venture capital is important, giving example on how US succeeded in using venture capital. Ematic Solutions Raises Pre-Series A Funding From MDI Ventures 2016-03-06T09:30:22-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/ematic-solutions-raises-pre-series-a-funding-from-mdi-ventures-20160306022/ Ematic Solutions, a Singapore-headquartered software company helping marketers improve digital marketing channels, has raised nearly US$1 million in pre-Series A funding. Industrial Opportunity Partners Exits Roadtrek Motorhomes 2016-03-05T13:00:12-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/industrial-opportunity-partners-exits-roadtrek-motorhomes-20160305995/ Industrial Opportunity Partners ("IOP"), an operations-focused private equity firm based in Evanston, Ill., today announced that it has completed the sale of portfolio company Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. ("Roadtrek" or the "Company") to the Erwin Hymer Group ("EHG"), a privately owned corporation headquartered in Germany that has a strong market position in the European recreational vehicle (RV) market.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Nordweg design concept is to create beautiful products to accompany people who see meaning in the small things in life, people that are always ready for great moments and new exciting experiences. Nordweg has teamed up with the Brazilian cycling brand Kirschner to create the gorgeous leather Serra Saddle Bag.
Esporte Interativo is one of the most popular sports channels in Brazil. My mission on this project was to think of a way to unify the user experience for both subscribers and non-subscribers of the channel.
One of the challenges we faced was to create a product that was able to centralize all the sporting content in one place, with a focus on interaction between users. Another challenge was for us to deliver the best possible pre, during and post-game experience for users.
The aim of this project was to create a new line of templates for the most popular company on the Theme Forest site. Using smooth lines and with a focus on the user's consumer preferences, the challenge was to deliver personalized content for each user profile and to create a far better consumption experience for the company's products.
I worked on a lot of cool things during the time I spent in Detroit. One of those was a proposal for the new site for Hello Aerial, which is a company that produces video content. Hello Aerial's work speaks for itself, so the challenge was to think of a way to present this work in a simple and attractive, multi-platform accessible way.
Like most Brazilians, I am passionate about cars. So, naturally, I found it easy to channel this passion into the redesign of the Jeep Renegade site, one of the top 10 popular cars in its category. The redesign consisted of focusing on the stand out features of the car, without forgetting the main objective of the page, which is to help users choose the Jeep Renegade.


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Summer conditioning is an important addition to a summer athletic program for injury prevention and to prepare for the physical demands of the sport of snowboarding. It will be creative, fun, difficult, diverse and build towards your goals for next season.
These are some great programs recommended for snowboard summer conditioning:
Youth Mountain Bike (check out Bike to Tramps or It's A Girl Thing): Great way to improve endurance
Skateboarding: Enhances balance and coordination
Trampoline: Improves air awareness and trick progression
Strength and Conditioning Sessions
Ages 14 & older
June 17 - August 15: Monday - Thursday, 2:30-4:00pm
Fees: $700 (will count as a deposit for 2019/20 winter competitive program fees)
Ages 12 and 13
Choose up to 3 days of FunFit
Ages 10 and 11
Choose up to 2 days of FunFit


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Below are the details of a testing exercise done upon a 152mm f/8 achromat (Zhumell brand). This scope is manufactured for Zhumell Optics by Chongqing-Deron Instrument Manufacture Co, LTD. a medium sized optical concern located in the People's Republic of China.
An operational "Cookbook" for the Roddier Optical Analysis program is available to members of the Roddier Yahoo group located if you are interested in doing this test on your telescope.
The Roddier program also outputs a rather detailed and extensive list of aberration values. Here is the list from the first tests protocol:
Finally, here is a set of ronchi grams taken at the eyepiece @ f/8 with a 133line/mm grating:
The seeing was poor (>2"arc) at the time of the test and the images were somewhat underexposed which accounts for their "dirty" look. But what is important is the degree of parallelism of the lines. The ronchi test is more of a pass/fail type of examination; if significant curvature of the lines is not seen, then the optic can be assumed to be ~1/4 wave corrected at the wavefront. It is most sensitive to spherical aberration, zones and can indicate the presence of a turned edge quite reliably (none present here). For other forms of aberration it is much less useful. This was the first test I performed on this scope. Interestingly, the zone which results in the mild higher order aberration reflected in the Roddier test is detectable in the upper left image inside focus as a slight bulging of the lines just below center. Mild spherical aberration (overcorrection) is visible in slight inward bowing of the lines outside focus.
ADDENDUM: Retest of 6" and 5" and 80mm test results
I re-tested the 6" and also ran tests on a 5" f/9.3 Meade achromat and a 80mm f/11 meade DS-80 achromat upon Procyon. Images were taken with Neximage camera, ~1minute aquistion times, zero gamma and stacked without enhancement. A green filter (#58 wratten) was used to limit the waveband to ~500-600nm. An IR cut filter was also used. Summation of results in below panels:
6" second test
The results on the 127mm and 80mm are consistent with their visual performance record over the last two years.
If doing these tests on Chinese mass prodduction models like these, beware of image plane tilt induced by focus tube shift. This varies the collimation between inside/outside focus and will introduce errors of astigmatism and coma into the results. Take care to neutralize focus tube position for more acurate results. This was a problem that was not addressed in the first set of tests on the 6" scope.
I plan to re-run these tests in better seeing once spring arrives this year. I will update this page at that time, so check back!


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Fine Dining in Highlands
Whether you are looking for a quick sandwich, healthy salad or a cup of coffee with a delicious pastry, Highlands offers something for everyone seeking a casual bite.
Asia House
151 Helens Barn Avenue
Highlands NC • (828) 787-1680
Asia House brings you an authentic Asian fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai foods. With a variety of appetizers and entrees that will satisfy everyone's taste buds. Asia House also offers a variety of sushi and sashimi prepared fresh by their own sushi chef.
Visit their website.
Bistro On Main
270 Main Street
Highlands NC • (828) 526-2590
Offering freshly prepared salads, sandwiches and entrees in a lovely setting with both indoor and outdoor dining. Live music on Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
Visit their website.
Buck's Coffee
384 Main Street
Highlands NC • (828) 526-0020
Quaint coffee cafe in the heart of Highlands! Local, independent coffee house featuring specialty brews, sandwiches & soups and wine. Live music on occasion.
El Azteca
72 Highlands Plaza
Highlands NC • (828) 526-2244
The premier destination for fine Mexican cuisine located in the beautiful mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina. El Azteca's handcrafted menu comprises of only the freshest of ingredients handcrafted into authentic dishes that will provide the ultimate dining experience.
Visit their website.
Mountain Fresh Grocery
521 Main Street
Highlands NC • (828) 526-2400
Much more than a market, Mountain Fresh Grocery offers freshly made pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pastas, coffee, wonderful baked goods , wines, cheeses and more. Dine in at their casual tables or carry out for a delicious meal at home.
Visit their website.
The Pizza Place
365 Main Street
Highlands NC • (828) 526-5660
In the heart of the tourist district of Highlands, The Pizza Place offers a wide selection of pizzas, calzones , sandwiches, and salads all in a casual dining atmosphere. Eat in or carry out.
Visit their website.
Satulah Mountain Brewing Company
454 Carolina Way
Highlands NC • (828) 482-9794
Brewpub; beer brewed on site with fine Carolina mountaintop water. Served on Draft at Elev. 4118. First brewery in Macon County.
Visit their website.
Sports Page Sandwich Shoppe
314 Main Street
Highlands NC • (828) 526-3555
Unique eatery specializing in fresh sandwiches and salads, homemade soups, loaded baked potatoes and delicious desserts. Also serving breakfast!
Visit their website.


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Dobies Growing Guides
Vegetable Garden Planner
These superb cauliflowers are as delicious as they are attractive. Enjoy them raw, steamed, boiled or stir-fried! Add a splash of colour to the dinner table! The mix contains three F1 varieties (21 plants - 7 of each variety): Purple Grafitti (a quick-maturing variety with a long harvest season whose purple colour is due to anthocyanins - a useful source of antioxidants), Emeraude (attractive and nutritious bright green curds) and Sunset (beautiful orange curds). Add a splash of colour to the dinner table!
Hardiness:-10 degrees
Plug or Potted Plant:Plug
Aftercare - Easy:False
Aftercare - Moderate:True
Aftercare - High:False
Edible Flower:False
Likes Acidic Soil:False
Beds & Borders:True
Prefers Full Sun:True
F1 Variety:True
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Police and RTD warn road offenders
PETALING JAYA: Committing any of the eight major traffic offences during the Chinese New Year festive rush can be very costly as the offenders will be hauled straight to court.
The Road Transport Department (RTD) and the traffic police have come up with a list of offences that are not compoundable during the Chinese New Year operations.
Those who commit these offences can be jailed up to six months or can be fined up to RM2,000.
The offences that are not compoundable on both the RTD and police list are driving on emergency lane, overtaking on double-lines, jumping queue and traffic lights, and using the mobile phone while driving.
Police have added speeding to the list, while RTD added failure to wear safety belt and hogging the right lane (applicable for public transport) on its list.
RTD's Ops Tahun Baru Cina and the police's Ops Selamat 10/2017 has been implemented from Jan 21 to Feb 5.
Traffic police has put up its list of non-compoundable offences on its Facebook, while the RTD director Datuk V. Valluvan Veloo provided the list in a circular sent to state directors.
In a letter to state RTD directors dated Jan 20, he said the special directive superseded an earlier directive issued calling for maximum fines to be imposed, except for driving on the emergency lane that warranted mandatory court action as stipulated in a circular issued last year.
"Order to take court action against those driving on emergency lane, and obstructing enforcement agency vehicles is enforced continuously (even after the festive celebration)," he said.
Valluvan said the RTD director-general had issued the special order to take the offenders to court under various sections of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Road Traffic Rules 1959.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/01/26/police-and-rtd-warn-road-offenders-its-straight-to-court-if-you-commit-any-of-eight-major-traffic-of/#B2LUIk9WGpsoei3i.99


text:
Breezeway Screens Inc.
Breezeway Screens has been supplying the trucking industry with a quality screen since 1988. That's when Walt Clavier, then a trucker for North American Van Lines, decided he needed a screen to enable him to shut down his truck while sleeping in the spring, summer, and fall, and save all that fuel and engine wear. He developed a proto type of the Breezeway #1 screen and started using it on his road trips. He got so many positive comments about the screens he decided to try to market the product. It was a great decision, Breezeway has sold well over 500,000 screens since going into business.
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text:
Optimizing Timing of Surgical Correction in Patients With Severe Aortic Regurgitation: Role of Symptoms
Author + information
- Received August 12, 1996
- Revision received April 30, 1997
- Accepted May 17, 1997
- Published online July 1, 1997.
Author Information
- Elizabeth Klodas, MDA,
- Maurice Enriquez-Sarano, MD, FACCA,*,
- A.Jamil Tajik, MD, FACCA,
- Charles J Mullany, MDB,
- Kent R Bailey, PhDC and
- James B Seward, MD, FACCA
- ↵*Maurice Enriquez-Sarano, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
Objectives. We sought to determine the independent effect of preoperative symptoms on survival after surgical correction of aortic regurgitation (AR).
Background. Aortic valve replacement for severe AR is recommended after New York Heart Association functional class III or IV symptoms develop. However, whether severe preoperative symptoms have a negative influence on postoperative survival remains controversial.
Methods. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative survival in 161 patients with functional class I or II symptoms (group 1) were compared with those in 128 patients with class III or IV symptoms (group 2) undergoing surgical repair of severe isolated AR between 1980 and 1989.
Results. Compared with group 1, group 2 patients were older (p < 0.0001), were more often female (p = 0.001) and more often had a history of hypertension (p = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.029) or myocardial infarction (p = 0.005) and were more likely to require coronary artery bypass graft surgery (p < 0.0001). The operative mortality rate was higher in group 2 (7.8%) than in group 1 (1.2%, p = 0.005), and the 10-year postoperative survival rate was worse (45% ± 5% [group 2] vs. 78% ± 4% [group 1], p < 0.0001). Compared with age- and gender-matched control subjects, long-term postoperative survival was similar to that expected in group 1 (p = 0.14) but significantly worse in group 2 (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, functional class III or IV symptoms were significant independent predictors of operative mortality (adjusted odds ratio 5.5, p = 0.036) and worse long-term postoperative survival (adjusted hazard ratio 1.81, p = 0.0091).
Conclusions. In the setting of severe AR, preoperative functional class III or IV symptoms are independent risk factors for excess immediate and long-term postoperative mortality. The presence of class II symptoms should be a strong incentive to consider immediate surgical correction of severe AR.
Aortic regurgitation (AR) can be corrected successfully with aortic valve replacement (AVR) [1], but the timing of surgical repair is disputed. Because of the relatively high incidence of postoperative left ventricular (LV) dysfunction [2], objective indexes of LV size and function have been recommended to guide the timing of AVR [3–6], but this recommendation is not uniformly accepted [7]. However, the presence of severe symptoms is overwhelmingly agreed on as an indication for AVR [4, 8, 9]—first, to relieve the symptoms [10–12]and, second, to avoid the grim prognosis of patients with such symptoms when treated medically. The management of patients with milder symptoms is less clear. Recent natural history studies have demonstrated that survival of patients with no or mild symptoms treated medically is good [4]; consequently, it has been inferred that AVR for AR can safely be delayed until New York Heart Association functional class III or IV symptoms or LV dysfunction occurs. However, the natural history studies cannot provide information on the long-term postsurgical outcome, particularly that of patients operated on after severe (class III or IV) symptoms have occurred. Earlier studies provided some data suggesting that outcome of AVR for AR is mediocre when severe symptoms are present preoperatively [6, 13–16], thus implying, contrary to the natural history studies, that surgical repair before the occurrence of severe symptoms is preferable. However, this inference is weakened by several problems. 1) These studies are usually small [6, 15]and based on old data [13, 14, 16]and may not be applicable to current practice. 2) Severe symptoms are rarely isolated abnormalities [17], and the absence of adjustment for the other baseline characteristics leaves doubt as to the independent influence of preoperative symptoms on postoperative outcome and on the clinical management of severe AR.
To address this issue, the outcome of patients who had surgical correction of severe isolated AR between 1980 and 1989 was examined. We hypothesized that after adjustment for all baseline differences and predictors of outcome, severe symptoms represent independent predictors of worse postoperative survival.
1 Methods
1.1 Patient selection.
The inclusion criteria were 1) surgical correction (repair [n = 9] or replacement [n = 280]) of AR between 1980 and 1989; 2) severe AR as diagnosed by clinical assessment in all patients and confirmed by grade III or IV regurgitation by aortography (n = 203) [18]or color flow imaging [19], or both; and 3) isolated, pure, chronic AR, as documented by echocardiography or cardiac catheterization, or both, and by surgical assessment. Excluded were patients with associated aortic stenosis or concomitant mitral or tricuspid valve repair or replacement. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or aortic root replacement at the time of the operation were not excluded. The baseline characteristics of the 289 patients included are summarized in Table 1. The preoperative (within 1 month before operation) symptoms analyzed were dyspnea (ranked using the New York Heart Association functional classification) and angina (ranked using the Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification). Dyspnea was absent in 94 patients (class I), minimal in 80 (class II), marked in 93 (class III) and permanent in 22 (class IV). Angina was absent in 242 patients (class 0), minimal in 21 (class II), marked in 19 (class III) and occurred with any activity or at rest in 7 (class IV). The combined consideration of dyspnea and angina showed that 80 patients were asymptomatic (class I), 81 had minimal symptoms (class II), 101 had marked exertional symptoms (class III) and 27 had rest symptoms (class IV). Therefore, 161 patients (group 1) had no or minimal symptoms (class I or II), and 128 patients (group 2) had advanced symptoms (class III or IV).
The assessment of preoperative LV function was performed within 6 months before valve replacement by echocardiography [20, 21]in 249 patients and by angiography in 137. Follow-up was complete in 98% of patients up to 1994 or until death. Heart transplantation for heart failure was performed in two patients during follow-up and was combined with death as an equivalent end point. Results obtained in a subgroup of the present series have been previously reported [22, 23].
1.2 Statistical methods.
Group statistics were expressed as mean value ± SD. Group comparisons (group 1 vs. group 2) were performed with a standard ttest or chi-square test. End points were operative mortality (death occurring within 30 days after the operation or within the same hospital period) and long-term postoperative survival. Long-term survival analysis was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method, and groups were compared using the two-tailed log-rank test. Comparison between observed and expected survival of age- and gender-matched populations was performed using the one-tailed log-rank test. The determinants of operative mortality and long-term survival were analyzed using logistic regressions and proportional hazards analysis, respectively. To determine the most appropriate prognostic separation between the four functional classes for prognostic purposes, group variables representing class I, class I and II and class I, II and III were used, and backward stepwise logistic and proportional hazards analysis was performed. The independent influence of preoperative symptoms on survival was assessed by adjusting for baseline characteristics (Table 1) using multivariate analysis, first with only clinical and surgical variables (clinical model) and, second, by including separately the echocardiographic (echocardiographic model) and angiographic (angiographic model) LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in two separate models. The value p < 0.15 was used for variable entry in all models for adjustment purposes, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
2 Results
The preoperative data of the patients are shown in Table 1. Compared with patients with mild symptoms, those with advanced symptoms were older and more likely to be women, to have a higher creatinine level and to have a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction and known significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore, they were more likely to require concomitant CABG at the time of AVR, and they tended to display a lower preoperative LVEF (by echocardiography, p = 0.013; by angiography, p = 0.18).
2.1 Operative mortality.
The overall operative mortality rate was 4.2% (12 of 289 patients): 1.2% (2 of 161 patients) for group 1 and 7.8% (10 of 128 patients) for group 2 (p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, in all models, the only significant independent predictor of operative mortality was preoperative symptomatic status of the patient (all p < 0.015). In a model including age, the only separation among the four functional classes that was significant was between class I/II and class III/IV in the backward logistic regression (p = 0.04, adjusted odds ratio 5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 28.2).
In patients without CAD, preoperative symptomatic status was also the only significant independent predictor of operative mortality in all models (all p < 0.03). The operative mortality rate was 0.7% (1 of 140) for patients in functional class I/II and 7.3% (6 of 82) for those in class III/IV (p = 0.007).
2.2 Long-term postoperative survival.
Long-term postoperative survival rate at 5 and 10 years was 92 ± 2% and 78 ± 7%, respectively, for group 1 and 72 ± 4% and 45 ± 4%, respectively, for group 2 (p < 0.0001) (Fig. 1). This difference was not due only to the difference in operative mortality, because comparison of survival between groups 1 and 2 after excluding the operative deaths showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.0001). Although 10 of 31 deaths in group 1 were due to LV failure or sudden death compared with 26 of 61 deaths in patients with advanced symptoms, no significant difference between groups existed in the distribution of the causes of death (p = 0.67). Compared with the survival of age- and gender-matched general groups, long-term postoperative survival was similar to that expected in group 1 (representing 100% and 94% of expected survival at 5 and 10 years, respectively, p = 0.14), but markedly diminished in group 2 (representing 84% and 64% of expected survival at 5 and 10 years, respectively, p < 0.0001) (Fig. 2). In all models (including those adjusting for LVEF), only age (p = 0.0001) and preoperative symptomatic status (p < 0.009) were independent predictors of postoperative survival. The adjusted hazards ratio for patients in class III/IV compared with those in class I/II was 1.81 (95% CI 1.16 to 2.82). In the backward proportional hazard analysis, the only separation among the four functional classes that was significantly associated with excess mortality was between class III/IV and class I/II. The univariate comparison of survival showed no difference between classes I and II (at 10 years, 80 ± 5% and 77 ± 6%, respectively, p = 0.79) or between classes III and IV (at 10 years, 45 ± 6% and 47 ± 12%, respectively, p = 0.79).
2.3 Subgroup analysis.
To further assess the effect on long-term survival of preoperative symptoms, the comparison between group 1 and group 2 was performed in subsets of patients defined according to clinically important variables.
2.3.1 Coronary artery disease.
In patients with significant CAD (stenoses ≥70%) or CABG, or both, overall survival at 10 years was 76 ± 11% and 39 ± 8% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.028) (Fig. 3). In patients without CAD, 10-year survival was 79 ± 4% and 48 ± 7% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis repeated in patients without CAD showed an independent effect of preoperative symptoms on survival, similar to the overall group (adjusted hazard ratio 1.76, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.03, p = 0.04) in association with age (p = 0.0002), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01), aortic aneurysm (p = 0.02), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.028) and female gender (p = 0.02).
2.3.2 Gender.
In men, overall survival at 10 years was 80 ± 4% and 55 ± 6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.0004), whereas the corresponding survival rates for women were 73 ± 11% and 21 ± 9% (p = 0.004) (Fig. 4). Compared with the expected survival, there was no significant difference for group 1, representing 95% of that expected in men (p = 0.30) and 88% of that expected in women (p = 0.14) at 10 years. There was a significantly reduced survival rate in group 2, representing 78% of that expected in men (p = 0.001) and 31% of that expected in women (p = 0.0001) at 10 years.
In patients with an echocardiographic LVEF <50%, overall survival at 10 years was 73 ± 7% and 40 ± 9% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.023) (Fig. 5). In patients with an LVEF ≥50%, overall survival at 10 years was 82 ± 5% and 40 ± 8% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.0001).
3 Discussion
The present study revealed that in patients undergoing AVR for severe AR, preoperative class III/IV symptoms were associated with a significantly higher operative mortality and worse postoperative survival in comparison with patients with class I/II symptoms, even after adjustment for baseline characteristics on multivariate analysis. Furthermore, in comparison with expected survival, patients who were in class III or IV preoperatively demonstrated an excess mortality after the operation. In contrast, patients with no or minimal symptoms (class I or II) had a remarkably low operative mortality and excellent long-term survival, not different from that expected.
3.1 Symptoms of AR and outcome.
In patients with severe AR, symptoms are major determinants of outcome. Natural history studies have reported high mortality rates in patients with severe AR who experience symptoms of heart failure and remain without an operation [24, 25]. This dismal spontaneous survival rate and the marked symptomatic improvement provided by AVR [1]have led to the consensus that these symptomatic patients should be offered an operation without delay [13, 26, 27]. However, with the exclusive use of this classic indication for surgical repair, irreversible LV dysfunction was frequent postoperatively [16]and was related to preoperative LV dysfunction [2, 28], which had developed silently during the asymptomatic phase of the natural history of AR [10, 29]. Therefore, objective indices of LV size and function have been recommended for timing of AVR for AR in asymptomatic patients [3–6]. Although some investigators do not recognize the validity of the LV predictors of outcome [7]and some contest the concept of surgical repair in asymptomatic patients [9], early operation in asymptomatic patients has been accepted and applied worldwide [22, 26, 30–32]. Therefore, the current recommendations for surgical repair are class III or IV symptoms or, in asymptomatic patients, LV marked dilation or dysfunction [4, 11]. These recommendations have been used as end points in a randomized trial of vasodilators [33].
However, certain issues regarding the symptoms of AR and the indications for surgical repair deserve clarification. First, patients with mild symptoms (class II) have usually been grouped with truly asymptomatic patients [4]and followed as such. Second, the impact of preoperative class III or IV symptoms on long-term postoperative outcome is controversial. The observation in natural history studies that patients in class I or II have a low mortality with medical treatment [4, 11]has been used to justify performing AVR for AR only when class III or IV symptoms develop. However, natural history studies cannot analyze the long-term outcome after AVR. Whether an excess mortality is observed after AVR for AR in patients operated on after marked symptoms have developed is critical in timing the operation before or when the severe symptomatic stage develops. The current published data does not provide definitive answers regarding that point. Indeed, several investigators have pointed to higher operative mortality rates [14, 16, 30]and worse postoperative survivals [6, 14–16, 30, 34–36]in patients with class III/IV symptoms preoperatively, but this has not been uniformly confirmed [28, 37–39]. This lack of general agreement is related to series of small size, mostly old and of disputable applicability to current practice, and to the inclusion of few patients with mild symptoms. The absence of adjustment for baseline characteristics and for expected survival make these previous results of limited relevance to the assessment of the impact of severe symptoms on outcome after AVR and warrant a comprehensive analysis of this issue.
The present findings, based on a large cohort of patients undergoing surgical repair in the current era, suggest that patients with class III/IV symptoms before AVR for severe AR have a worse outcome than patients with class I/II symptoms with an excess operative mortality (odds ratio 5.5) and long-term mortality (hazards ratio 1.8). This marked impact of severe preoperative symptoms on postoperative outcome is confirmed by multivariate analysis, by taking into account the expected survival and also in all subsets of patients [23]. This effect is not due only to patients in class IV preoperatively, because patients in class III and IV have identical survival. In contrast, in patients with no or mild preoperative symptoms, operative mortality was low and long-term survival was similar to that expected. This suggests that patients may have excellent long-term outcomes if operated on early in the symptomatic course of AR [26]and that symptoms of AR have important physiologic significance.
3.2 Symptoms of AR: physiologic correlates.
The symptoms of AR usually occur after a long latent phase [29], even with severe regurgitation. Although previous reports linked symptoms to increased left atrial pressure and LV dysfunction [17], the EF of patients in the present series with class III/IV symptoms was significantly but only mildly reduced. Therefore, severe symptoms can occur in the absence of LV dysfunction at rest and still carry a poor prognosis. Similarly, associated CAD may cause symptoms [40]but is not more frequent with severe symptoms, which carry a poor prognosis even in the absence of CAD. Other physiologic abnormalities are probably associated with the occurrence of overt symptoms. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction with exercise [41]or diastolic dysfunction [42, 43]may lead to the occurrence of symptoms but are difficult to analyze [44]because of the volume overload of patients with AR. Nevertheless, severe symptoms, even poorly explained, probably reveal profound physiologic changes that translate into an excess incidence of complications and death long after the correction of the AR and, thus, clinically should be avoided if possible.
3.3 LV dysfunction.
Preoperative EF was not an independent predictor of postoperative outcome in the current study. This likely was due to the inclusion of a notable number of women, although AR principally affects men [45]. Preoperative LV size and function were significant predictors of outcome in groups composed mainly of men [3–6, 22], but not in a recent study of women with AR [23]. When the present analysis was limited to men, the additional prognostic significance of preoperative LV function was confirmed in men. However, this does not affect the present study, because preoperative class III-IV symptoms were associated with an excess mortality in all subsets of patients.
3.4 Clinical implications.
Because of the major benefit provided by surgical repair in patients in functional class III or IV, in comparison with medical treatment, patients with severe AR and advanced symptoms should continue to be offered an operation.
However, because of the excess postoperative mortality observed in classes III and IV, as compared with classes I and II, patients should preferentially be operated on before the severe symptoms develop. The very low operative mortality and excellent long-term survival, equivalent to expected survival, despite the presence of the aortic prosthesis, in patients in functional class I or II are further incentives to perform the operation at the less symptomatic stage. In view of the equivalent survival in classes I and II, the indications for surgical repair in patients with no or minimal symptoms can be summarized as follows: 1) class I and LV dysfunction [2, 4, 23]—preoperative LV dysfunction is associated with an excess late mortality in men [22]and a lower postoperative LVEF in both men and women [2, 23]and therefore should be considered as an indication for surgical repair; 2) class I and extreme LV dilation [4, 22]—because severe LV enlargement has been associated with sudden death [4], surgical repair in these patients appears to be a reasonable option, particularly in view of the good postoperative outcome observed [22]; 3) class II symptoms—that is, even minimal dyspnea or angina. The essential conditions to perform an early operation in patients with no or minimal symptoms are, first, that the degree of AR be defined as severe (at best, using quantitative methods) [46]and, second, that the risk of operation be low. In asymptomatic patients with preserved LV function and no severe ventricular dilation, no clear justification currently exists for surgical intervention, but additional natural history studies should further define the risk with medical treatment, particularly the risk of sudden death.
3.5 Study limitations.
The present study did not investigate the natural history of patients with class I or II symptoms and thus cannot analyze the rate of progression to higher symptomatic classes. However, the predictability of symptomatic progression is usually poor [4, 47, 48]; therefore, all patients in class II should be considered at risk for entering functional class III or IV, with the attached excess mortality noted in the present study. Future natural history studies should analyze the risk of direct progression from class I to class III and IV to make further recommendations in these patients. Also, because patients were older in the more symptomatic group, it may be argued that lead time bias accounted for part of the survival benefit in mildly symptomatic patients. However, there was a wide variation of age in all symptomatic classes, and after adjustment for age and for possible confounding variables in the analysis of survival, symptomatic status remained a major predictor of outcome. This was also confirmed by comparing survival with expected survival, which demonstrated an excess mortality in severely symptomatic patients, in contrast to survival that was equivalent to that expected in patients with no or minimal symptoms. Therefore, patients with severe symptoms display an excess postoperative mortality independent of age at operation, and this should be taken into account in clinical decision making.
3.6 Conclusions.
In patients with severe chronic AR, the presence of preoperative functional class III/IV dyspnea or angina is an independent determinant of excess postoperative immediate and long-term mortality. The presence of minimal functional class II symptoms is associated with a very low operative mortality and excellent long-term survival and should be a strong incentive to consider immediate surgical correction of severe AR.
- Abbreviations
- aortic regurgitation
- aortic valve replacement
- coronary artery bypass graft surgery
- coronary artery disease
- confidence interval
- left ventricular
- ejection fraction
- Received August 12, 1996.
- Revision received April 30, 1997.
- Accepted May 17, 1997.
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text:
May, 2013
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Over the past 12 months, I've been on a mission to change my most productive time of day from the early morning hours to later in the evening.
For those of you who are night owls, this concept might seem ridiculous. However, for those of you who (like me) are early birds, you understand all too well the difficulty of accomplishing anything productive after 9:00pm. Keep reading to learn how (and why) I made the switch!
Half-Way In: Our No-Spending Challengeposted by Andrea | 05/17/2013 | 19 comments
Dave and I are half-way through our month-long no-spending challenge, and honestly, it's harder than I expected it to be! Even though I rarely step foot in a shopping mall, it's amazing how many opportunities there are to spend money each day.
Today, I'm sharing an update…
Our Favorite Farmhouse Paint Colorsposted by Andrea | 05/16/2013 | 30 comments
Dave and I closed on our first house 7 years ago this month — and we've been painting like crazy ever since.
Painting isn't necessarily my most favorite activity, but I do enjoy it for the most part — and that's good because we've gone through over 40 GALLONS of paint since we've moved into our farmhouse! Today, I'm sharing a few of my favorite colors!
A Tale of Ten Strollers + Our Favoritesposted by Andrea | 05/15/2013 | 24 comments
True story: Over the past 2 years, we have owned TEN different strollers! Yes, you read that correctly –10!
I've been buying and selling strollers on a mission to find the ones we really love, and today I'm sharing our favorites with you.
REALLY Simple 2-Hour Meat Marinadeposted by Andrea | 05/14/2013 | 15 comments
I love marinating meat for the grill but I hate that it often requires a full 24 hours of advance preparation. So about a month ago, I tried a 2-hour marinade — and we were so impressed that I made it again the next week (with a few of my personal adjustments).
I've used this marinade a handful of times with fabulous results each time, and I just LOVE that you can whip it up later in the day and still have great-tasting, juicy meat in time for dinner.
Bubbles of Opportunityposted by Andrea | 05/13/2013 | 7 comments
You all know that I'm a huge fan of focus, hard work, drive, and determination… right? Yes, it's true. Those are all virtues I admire in others and try to exude myself.
However, there have been times when I was too focused on one goal or opportunity that I missed a bunch of other "bubbles of opportunity" passing me by… can you relate?
Happy Mother's Dayposted by Andrea | 05/11/2013 | 6 comments
To the Mothers who are, the Mothers who were, the Mothers who will be, and the Mothers who wish they could be…
Happy Mother's Day
Pruning… in the Garden and in our Homeposted by Andrea | 05/10/2013 | 5 comments
Thanks to the last 2 weeks of gloriously sunny skies, we've been doing lots of yard work.
One of the first projects on my to-do list was pruning — everything! And as I pruned, I started thinking how pruning our garden is very similar to purging our home — not always glamorous or fun, but SO worth the effort.
7 Things I Wouldn't Buy on Craigslistposted by Andrea | 05/9/2013 | 38 comments
You all know how much I love Craigslist… right? Well since Dave and I are taking a "no-spending challenge" for the month of May, I've been banned from shopping Craigslist.
So instead, I thought it would be fun (and hopefully funny) to share some of the things I probably won't buy on Craigslist 🙂
How to Make Homemade Bubblesposted by Andrea | 05/8/2013 | 19 comments
Thanks to a recent gift from one of her aunts, Nora now LOVES bubbles. However, after a few days of intense bubble blowing, we were running low on our supply.
I found a really simple recipe for homemade bubbles that should keep us fully stocked throughout the spring and summer months! Thank goodness 🙂