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"I was only a kid, but I knew from day one that I wanted to be the boss," Ali recalls. "I knew I could manage it and that I could handle the customer, so I insisted on occupying a certain position in the business. Eventually I got my chance."
One of six children, Ali quickly learnt that piloting a business has its ups and downs. Bombings during a civil war in his homeland in the 1970s and 1980s destroyed the store on five occasions. Each time, Ali's father and his family painstakingly rebuilt it.
Today Ali lives in Sweden and is the founder and main shareholder of Birka BioStorage, a Lund-based company that stores and transports high-value pharmaceutical samples.
It has been a long journey. The escalating civil war in his home country made it impossible for him to pursue his dream of a university education. At the age of 18 he decided to leave for Europe.
After arriving in Malmö in early 1990, Ali supported himself through casual work – from delivering newspapers to picking fruit on farms – while learning Swedish. After gaining a residence permit, he took up a place at Jönköping University to study chemical engineering.
In 13 years working for pharmaceutical companies in southern Sweden and Scotland, Ali identified a market for a company that could offer high-security storage and transportation of pharmaceutical products.
Pharmaceutical samples are extremely valuable. Often the product of years of research and clinical studies, they can be highly sensitive to changes in temperature and must be stored in rigorously controlled conditions with full backup. So far, outsourcing in this area of the pharma industry is in its infancy.
And so Birka BioStorage was born. "Once you have a business idea and you really believe in it, you have to try," Ali says. "Getting yourself a network is the most important thing, more important than money. Money will not help if you don't have the right network, the right people to support you all the way, the right investor and the right customer."
For Ali, that network comprised personal and professional contacts along with outside help from a myriad of institutions and agencies in Skåne.
"The support provided to entrepreneurs like me in Skåne has made my life so much easier. There were many occasions when doors were closed everywhere, there was no financing, and no customers believing in the idea. That's where the ecosystem of organisations like Invest in Skåne, Connect Skåne, Almi and the business incubator at Nyföretagarcentrum in Lund kept me going. They knew I had the tenacity to succeed and they helped me build my network."
Being located in Skåne and in the life science cluster Medicon Valley is a huge advantage for a fledgling pharma business, Ali says. "Skåne is close to Copenhagen and that's where the biggest market potential is for Birka. If you're interested in starting a business in Scandinavia, you need to be in Sweden. And if you're in Sweden, you need to be in Skåne. Geography is number one. Skåne has the pharma cluster and critical mass our growing business needs."
Operational since 2012, Birka BioStorage is currently expanding beyond Scandinavia. It already has a presence through partners in the Middle East, and in 2017 aims to launch in Japan.
Building on the success of Birka BioStorage, Ali in 2015 launched three new companies. These businesses, all based at Medicon Village in Lund, are in lab hygiene, skin care products and 3D printing of medical device metals.
"Entrepreneurship is about looking for opportunities, not possibilities," Ali says. "If you only focus on possibilities you sometimes find them, but sometimes not. Opportunities will always be positive, whatever direction they lead you in. I always follow the school of opportunities – every single day in every single thing I do."
It's a philosophy that has worked rather well for a boy who started out stacking boxes in his father's store at the age of 10.


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October 23, 2014
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20 August, 2016
Today in honor of passing the midpoint of Blaugust 2016, I'll do an "ask me (almost) anything" thread.
Read the guidelines, and then post a comment!
I won't talk about Camelot Unchained. Sorry, still not in a position to do so. They put out plenty of information in their newsletters and streams, so go watch those if you want information.
I'll be happy to talk more about the DLC for March of the Living. Hopefully some of you bought the game and have questions. Be polite and put a "spoiler warning" if you want to ask questions delving into specifics of the story. I might add them if you don't!
Otherwise, I'm pretty open to talking about whatever. So, think of a good question and ask it below! I'll answer questions over the next few days as I get time, so check back to get your answer.
6 Comments »
Where do you see Virtual Table Tops like Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 going in the Future. I wonder will Mobile platforms and VR will be embraced. I enjoy playing DnD, but being a grown up means less time to meet up. In a virtual meetup, free time is more available.
Comment by Matt aka Guinness — 20 August, 2016 @ 3:36 PM
When you made the story for March of the living, did you add any personal experiences?
Comment by Tyrannodorkus — 20 August, 2016 @ 5:23 PM
Matt aka Guiness asked:
Where do you see Virtual Table Tops like Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 going in the Future.
Interesting that you ask me that! I just played a game on Roll20 with a group that meets every other weekend. We did a game of 20th Anniversary edition of Vampire: the Masquerade. So, I'm a big fan of virtual tabletop.
Also, friend of mine is looking at mobile applications for RPGs. I think that we've seen very limited use of mobile in tabletop. Tablet may be more feasible than mobile, although the conventional wisdom is that tablet users spend a LOT less than mobile users. But, I think there's a lot more that could be done on mobile to add to the experience.
I'm not sure about VR for virtual tabletop. Usually the experience goes on for a while, and while the idea of being fully immersed in a tabletop game might have an appeal, the longer sessions may make it difficult to do. AR, on the other hand, may be pretty big. Projecting a map onto a surface through a view from a mobile device might be big. Something you can use easily and not have to worry about fatigue after a few hours.
But, I hope that we'll see more virtual tabletop in the future! And, I suspect it will start to use more technologies, even if it's not on the cutting edge.
Comment by Psychochild — 21 August, 2016 @ 5:38 PM
Tyrannodorkus asked:
When you made the story for March of the living, did you add any personal experiences?
Well, I've never been pregnant in a post-apocalyptic scenario, so I had to interpolate a bit for that.
Seriously, though, it's a good question. I did put a personal experience into one of the scenes of the game. It's intended to be a bit of a mood lightener where the wife, Jenny, sees some kittens scampering around. If you have the protagonist say he's more of a dog person, Jenny and their friend Mark will discuss their cats.
Mark laughs. "I'm a cat person, myself. I like how they won't take crap from anyone."
Jenny laughs. "They have so much personality!"
"I had this cat when I was a kid, he would always run from you, unless you caught him by surprise and scratched his belly. He'd just relax and let you scratch him with no complaints."
That bit at the end about the cat? Yeah, I have a cat like that named Tezcatlipoca. He's often very suspicious of people, even me, but if I can get to his belly and start scratching he'll roll over and give in to it. Always funny, since he's exposing his vulnerable side just to get a bit of scratching!
Comment by Psychochild — 21 August, 2016 @ 5:44 PM
If there's one feature/mechanic of mainstream MMOs you could abolish forever, which one would it be? :D
Also: FFVI or Chrono Trigger? (careful with that one, muaha!)
Syl asked:
If there's one feature/mechanic of mainstream MMOs you could abolish forever, which one would it be? :D
Different player factions that can't talk to each other. I thought the Alliance vs. Horde split was silly. It just separated out players into smaller groups than really needed to be. It caused a lot more heartaches and trolling between the two factions in the game. For PvE-focused players, the two factions provided very little to enhance the game experience.
Even in PvP games, in theory it reduces the obnoxious taunts and insults between enemies, but most people know what tea-bagging is in games, or what the /spit emote in WoW is used for. So, you're not really avoiding much that you couldn't avoid by eliminating area chat.
Also: FFVI or Chrono Trigger? (careful with that one, muaha!)
What a question to ask on what Wikipedia is claiming is the anniversary of Chrono Trigger's U.S. release!
It's a tough call, as I have fond memories of both. I got FFVI when it came out. I was a big fan of the previous games released in the U.S., although I wasn't quite crazy enough to try to import the other games. (I did play them later.) On the other hand, I did give Chrono Trigger a pass when it first released, and later bought a copy on the internet (back before that was very common, even!) when I realized I had to play it.
Each game had its own strengths. They both had a wide variety of characters to form a party. In most cases, the characterizations were interesting and fit with the overall story.
I liked the more action type combat in CT, and the interesting combinations for powers were great. I liked how the battles happened in the same area you traveled, and how you could see enemies; none of this random combat invisible enemies B.S. There was some strategic planning with who you included in your party and how you built up character synergies. The time travel was also handled very well, such as the idea of not looting chests immediately to get a better reward "in the future". (Although some of that did feel pretty heavily like "you'll miss the good stuff without playing a TON or using a cheat guide.) CT was also one of the first games to give the "New Game+" option, so it was a trailblazer in that regard.
On the other hand, I think FFVI has a better story. CT's story isn't bad, but the core is pretty much your typical "save the world" plot only with time travel. FFVI, on the other hand, had a much deeper and complex plot. And, while you were arguably trying to save the world, in the end you failed to save the world. But, the story didn't end there! It also had memorable scenes like the opening, the opera house, and leaping from the falling island.
If you put my feet to the fire, I'll probably have to give FFVI the edge, though. The story was just amazing for the time, and the scenes were head and shoulders above anything else at that time. And while the combat system was inferior, it was still comfortable and familiar, built up from the previous games.
*prepares for hate mail*
Comment by Psychochild — 22 August, 2016 @ 7:11 PM


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Mayor, Michael H. Daniels
Welcome to the second edition of the City Voice. Previously, I spoke about City taxes, this edition includes an article from City Manager Hawley explaining how your tax money is spent. Reach out to either of us with questions and/or comments. Thanks Mel.
As of this writing there are approximately 125 shopping days until Christmas, less than 100 days until Thanksgiving and less than 12 days to Vergennes Day. I hope many of you will visit the events on the City Green, stop at the fire station for breakfast, maybe run one of the three races, 15K (new this year) 10K and 5K. Stop by Falls Park or the City Dock from 9:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. nightly to view the lighted falls until the week after Labor Day.
I held the first Cracker Barrel with the seniors and a lot of good ideas came from this gathering. If anyone would like to offer a senior citizen a ride to an event (church supper, band concert, funeral, school function), contact me for more information.
I would like to thank some of our citizens that have taken pride in "our" City. My brother Matt has been keeping the grass cut from his home all the way to Potash Brook. Alderman Mark Koenig and Michelle Eckels for all their hard work getting the swimming pool ready for this season, as well as the swim team and family members who also helped. Jason Farrell stepped down from the Planning Commission with over ten years of service, but will remain on the Development Review Board.
Volunteering helps with making Vergennes such a wonderful place to live. If you can spare some time, give me a call or send me an email, we can always use help. We are always looking for articles of interest for upcoming editions of the City Voice, if you have one, please make contact with me.
Vergennes Day a small history Marguerite Senecal
It all began in 1980 when the Vergennes Rec Committee, with Chris Pettibon as Chair, had the idea that it would be nice to celebrate and give recognition to all the people who worked tirelessly for the little City in some capacity or other. For some reason, the event didn't get its official name until 1981, at which time it was decided that since the event was to thank the locals, it should be titled, "Vergennes Day". The name has stuck for 36 years!
The event was held with the Little City Walk & Run Race kicking it off. It began as a small party on the City Green where there were a few booths, crafts and such, and the Lions Club held a Chicken BBQ. The City purchased meals from the Lions as a thank you for those that were on their payroll and others that worked to support the Little Cities' endeavors and City Band members.
In 2002, the Addison County Chamber of Commerce came on board and has helped grow the event through the years to include venues, not only on the City Green, but also at the Opera House, Falls Park with Children's Activities including a Petting Zoo, the Rubber Ducky Race, a Car Show at VUHS Vergennes Day a small history Marguerite Senecal (cont'd)
plus various demonstrations, Fire Station Breakfast and soapy bubbles for the kids, and St. Peter's Parish Hall who offered a Rummage Sale. One year, visitors could even go up in the RE/MAX hot air balloon!
Some of the venues no longer exist, but there was, and still is great music on the Bandstand, around 75 or so vendors/crafts selling their wares, various activities for children and the tasty Lions Chicken BBQ. Vergennes Day is usually the 4th Saturday of August and kicked off by a street dance the night before with the "Hitmen" playing on the Bandstand!
See you there!
City Manager, Mel Hawley
The City Council, department heads, and I often talk about "The Budget". We actually have five budgets, namely general, fire, recycling, sewer, and swimming pool. The fire fund derives its revenue from the City and the three surrounding Towns, recycling the same but with the Town of Addison as well, sewer from the sewer utility billing, and the swimming pool from season passes, lesson fees, swim team fees, and daily admissions. The general fund budget ($2,290,291) covers administration (16.6%), police (39.2%), public works (33.3%), voter appropriations (1.5%), and various other appropriations including the Bixby Memorial Free Library, Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, Addison County Transit Resources, the City's share of the fire department and recycling budgets, recreation, Addison County tax and other appropriations (9.4%).
The general fund budget of $2,290,291 is not raised entirely by property taxes as there are a number of supplemental revenue sources. That being said, property taxes do represent the lion's share (79.8%), clerk fees, license, and permits (1.5%), State revenue (6.9%), interest, fines, and sewer support (8.6%), and an appropriation from the prior year's surplus (3.2%).
The general fund budget adopted by the City Council required a tax rate of 81 cents which is an increase from 79 cents a year ago. We all hoped that so-called school consolidation would provide for some property tax relief with a possible reduction in the education taxes for this year. That was not the case as it turned out; the homestead education property tax rate rose from $1.6021 to $1.6237 per $100.
We will continue our efforts in obtaining State and Federal grants to support the cost of much-needed infrastructure improvements and equipment and use of the Water Tower Fund and Watershed Recreation Reserve Fund as a strategy to avoid further property tax increases.
Police Chief, George Merkel
The City of Vergennes has become a well-known place to visit, shop and go out to eat. Each year Vergennes has continued to improve in appearance and provides visitors with a wide variety of attractions.
Police Chief, George Merkel (cont'd)
The recent warm summer weather has brought a higher rate of pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle traffic to our area.
Here are some safety tips for all of us to pay close attention to:
-It is against the law and extremely dangerous to use any form of electronic communications, phone or texting, while operating a motor vehicle, unless you have hands-free capability. Whatever your need is to communicate, it can wait until you pull over.
-Even if the operator of a vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, it is illegal for the operator to use a hand-held electronic device.
-When passing through a residential or urban area, be even more vigilant for pedestrians or bicyclists who may attempt to cross in front of you.
-Always remember young children have very little vertical profile and are hard to see, even at the edge of a crosswalk.
-As a pedestrian, never assume an operator of a vehicle can see you while you are in a crosswalk area.
-As a pedestrian, never cross the road unless you are in a crosswalk area. Never cross the road from between parked vehicles.
-Always make eye-to-eye contact with the operator and make sure the vehicle comes to a complete stop before beginning to cross.
-As a pedestrian, and as a parent or responsible party for young children who may be with you, always make sure you have COMPLETE control of your children. Never let children run up to or across a crosswalk without you being right next to them to ensure a safe crossing.
-Runners should never run with headphones on and should always wear some sort of bright-colored clothing while running.
-Bicyclists should always obey the laws of the road just as if they were operating a motor vehicle. Just as pedestrians, never assume a passing motorist sees you on your bike.
-As a bicyclist, always wear a helmet and use both front and rear lights at night.
-If two bicyclists are riding abreast and a motor vehicle approaches from behind them, one of them should fall in behind the other to make safer passage for the vehicle.
-Parents should constantly reinforce safety procedures to their children and demonstrate their own adherence to those same procedures whether they are operating a vehicle or they are pedestrians or Police Chief, George Merkel (cont'd)
bicyclists. Merely telling our children the right way to do things is not enough. Our children learn from what they see us do!
Finally, please do not drink alcohol and drive, never operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs, and always make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt before moving your vehicle.
Have a great rest of the summer, please be safe and God Bless you!
Pool Advisory Committee Renny Perry
The first meeting of the Sam Fishman Swimming Pool Advisory Group was held on June 26, 2017 at the pool. The group was the creation of Mayor Michael Daniels after he attended an informal meeting at the pool during which concerned swim team parents and others met to discuss and review the condition of the pool.
The pool is over 50 years old, but only came under City control in 2010. Prior to that it was owned and operated by the Vergennes Graded School District. The pool is beginning to show the signs of its age, signaling a need to come up with a plan to maintain and operate this major public asset into the future.
The Pool Advisory Group was encouraged to come up with its own mission statement, but was more immediately tasked with identifying short-term needs, longer-term needs, and wants. Short-term needs ranged from additional signage, toilet paper and soap dispensers, and baby changing stations. Repairs to the pool deck and correcting drainage issues, fixing the diving board, and upgrading the filter system. Some longer-term needs identified were a robotic vacuum to more efficiently clean the pool, a solar cover and reel to retain pool heat, and a new roof on the bathhouse with solar panels to heat the pool. The "wants" included umbrellas for shade, comfortable chairs, benches in the bathrooms sanded and stained, and extending the pool season dates.
While the list of needs and wants was relatively short, the cost related to acquiring the items is somewhat daunting. The group felt that acquiring or accomplishing these items could be done by a combination of City funding, private fund-raising, and volunteer efforts. The group will continue to meet to solidify its ostensible mission of addressing short-term needs and developing a long-range plan for the care and continued operation of the pool.
The members of the Pool Advisory Group are: Shanon Atkins, Vergennes Partnership; Lisa Casey, Vergennes Swim Team (VST) Volunteer, Pool Patron, & Vergennes Resident; Michelle Eckels, VST Volunteer, Pool Patron & Vergennes Resident; Dustin Hunt, Middlebury Parks & Recreation, Licensed Pool Operator & Vergennes Resident; Renny Perry, Vergennes City Council, Vergennes Partnership & Vergennes Resident; Ken Sullivan, Director of Buildings, Grounds & Safety for ANWSD.
Pool Advisory Committee Renny Perry (cont'd)
It would be remiss not to mention the significant volunteer effort by several of the Pool Advisory Group members and many other volunteers to do the work necessary to open the pool on schedule this year. Without the work to patch cracks and openings in the pool shell, fill deck cracks, power wash the deck, benches and tables, and general maintenance the pool would not have opened on time. Special thanks to Mark Koenig of the Vergennes City Council, who put in countless hours to repair the pool shell so it could be filled with water. Thanks to all.
Vergennes in Bloom Jane Barlow
Vergennes Gardening started weeding and trimming shrubs and plants on the City Green, the Information Kiosk, and the entrance to the Opera House in late May. Debris was also cleared from the Macdonough Monument.
Since May we have been meeting every other Wednesday on the City Green. Spireas and hostas have been trimmed to clear the brick walkways in the park, as well as general upkeep throughout the City Green and Opera House gardens.
We welcome anyone to join us every other Wednesday from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The next time we meet will be August 23rd on the City Green.
We have two volunteers who will continue maintaining the flower gardens at the Vergennes five Welcome To signs. Dave and Lynne Leclair have maintained these gardens for many years, sharing perennials from their private gardens. Thank you, Dave and Lynne!
Thank you, too, to the many business owners who maintain their own gardens in the City for everyone to enjoy.


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Virtual pictures are surely one of the maximum famous interests of nowadays. You could without problems capture precious moments with a digital digicam and spot the outcomes i of seconds on. Fitness photography guide – It can't be simpler than that! However, in case you want to take proper images, you'll want to know some primary photography strategies. You need to examine greater approximately them to get satisfying consequences.
Fitness photography guide- Right here is numerous images pointers which you want to recognize:
1- Before you get started, you ought to make yourself familiar with all the capabilities for your virtual digicam. You need to recognize what they're for, how the paintings, and a way to operate them. That is to make certain that you could maximize the use of your camera. There are some adjustments which you ought to make a good way to seize a good photograph. For this reason, you should read your camera's guide eBook very well.
2- Better resolution does now not always mean better. Image decision determines how lots of detail or the wide variety of pixels a photograph can comprise. Digital cameras with higher resolutions can be very pricey, and you do now not really need them in case you are not going to print your photographs at massive sizes. A thirteen-megapixel camera should be precise sufficient for newbie photographers.
3- You need to know an aspect or two about lights. Many newbie photographers often find their images are both overexposed (too vivid) or underneath uncovered (too dark). The most effective manner to keep away from it is to apprehend the idea of lighting fixtures. The lighting necessities for indoor and outdoor pictures are of route exclusive. Consequently Fitness photography guide, you'll need to spend some time to study them either from pictures books or from expert photographers. There also are some treasured photo recommendations that you may discover online. You simply want to discover greater and nearly all of the information about pictures is there.
4- Learn how to manage the shutter pace. While taking a photo of a fast-moving item, together with a components 1 car, you want to apply quick shutter speeds. That way you won't miss any critical moments which you need to capture on your camera. Longer shutter speeds can create a dramatic impact on the arrival of moving gadgets along with a waterfall.
5- Ultimate however now not least, you have to understand a way to keep away from blurry snapshots. Alter your camera settings so that you will get sharp and clean photographs. You want to bear in mind the shutter speed and the aperture width that you use. You could also mount your digicam on a tripod to prevent camera shakes


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Cal Opens Pac-10 Play at Home vs. No. 21 Arizona, ASU
Dec. 24, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
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Up Next: Radio: KALX (90.7 FM) and on Calbears.com TV: noneFri. Dec. 27 vs. Arizona Berkeley, CA 7:00 p.m.Sun. Dec. 29 vs. Arizona State Berkeley, CA 2:00 p.m.
California (3-4) opens the Pac-10 season at home against No. 21 Arizona (6-2) Friday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears then entertain Arizona State (8-1) Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. At both games, Cal women's basketball trading cards will be distributed to all fans. This weekend, parking is free for fans at the Bancroft/Fulton lot on campus. The Bears look to break a streak of seven consecutive losses in Pac-10 openers dating back to an 87-83 home triumph over Washington State on Jan. 5, 1995. This week's games close out Cal's stretch of nine straight games in the Bay Area. Next week, the Bears begin a four-game road swing, starting with a Jan. 2 tilt vs. Mercer in Macon, Ga.
Depth should be an asset for Cal in both games this week, as 11 players average at least 11 minutes and only two starters average as much as 29 minutes. For Arizona, one starter averages 29 minutes, while the others average 32 or 33 minutes per outing. For ASU, every starter averages at least 28 minutes.
Cal is coming off a 71-64 road setback to Saint Mary's on Dec. 21. After battling back from a 13-point second half deficit and grabbing the lead three times, the Gaels secured the victory in the closing minutes from the free throw line. Guard Nihan Anaz paced the Bears with a season-high 12 points, all coming in the second half. Forwards Leigh Gregory and Jacqueline Sanchez each added 10 points.
Center Timea Ivanyi paces Cal at 10.3 ppg and is second in rebounding at 4.3 rpg. Three other starters hover close to double-figure points - point guard Kristin Iwanaga (9.9), Gregory (9.6, 4.6 rpg) and Anaz (9.5).
Improving the offense has been a focal point for the Bears this season. It's going to take some time for the newcomers to click with the veterans, but there are some signs of improvement. After averaging 56.8 ppg last season, Cal is averaging 59.7 ppg this year.
While the team works on its offense, the defense remains one of the best in the Pac-10. Cal ranks third in the conference for scoring defense at 59.3 ppg after ranking in the top four in that category the last four years.
The Bears' top performers off their deep bench include forward Kiki Williams (5.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), forward Renee Wright (4.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and guard LaTasha O'Keith (3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg). Point guard Sarah Pool leads the team in assists with 20 (2.9 pg).
Basketball Pregame ShowThu 1/23 | 4:30pm PTLive
Thu 1/23 | 5:00pm PTLive
Thu 1/23 | 7:00pm PTLive


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The virtual coins that players wager in casino-style games on Facebook may be getting a real monetary value, at least some time in the future. The social gaming powerhouse Zynga tells All Things D today that it is in "active conversations with potential partners" about Internet gambling. "We know from listening to our players that there's an interest in the real money gambling market," the company said.
That's particularly interesting in light of last week's acquisition of Seattle-based Double Down Interactive for as much as $500 million by gambling giant International Game Technology. In an interview with GeekWire, Double Down CEO Greg Enell said that gambling on Facebook is a real possibility.
"Six months ago, we didn't consider real money an option at all, but with IGT that becomes an option, because they're licensed and regulated in all the states in the U.S.," Enell said. "And because we have the strength of the relationship on Facebook, we can marry all of that together and, for example, offer real-money online slots in California on Facebook. Obviously there's a tremendous economic upside to that."
The U.S. Justice Department recently signaled a possible reversal of its long-held position on Internet gambling, raising the possibility of online wagering in some states.
Arvind Bhatia, analyst at Sterne Agere, said recently that Internet gambling across the U.S. is a long shot and that Zynga may not necessarily be in a strong position to capitalize. "Zynga's (players) are gamers and not gamblers," Bhatia told VentureBeat. "Also, legalization of online gambling is obviously not a given and even if it happens it will probably take a while."
Tricia Duryee at All Things D notes that Zynga's push into online gambling would take enormous resources, and possible acquisitions. But Zynga, despite a slumping stock price, still has a substantial war chest given the $1 billion it raised through an IPO last month. The stock is up nearly five percent in trading today.
Zynga already offers a virtual casino game on Facebook, dubbed Zynga Poker. The company says the game is the "world's largest free-to-play online poker game."
DoubleDown Casino launched in April 2010, and has since grown to 1.4 million daily active users. Facebook recently listed the game as the No. 4 most popular game on the social network in 2011.


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Special thanks to American Express for sponsoring Voices for Utah Children's 30th Anniversary Year.
This is not the first time Utah children have benefited from the generosity of American Express. Several years ago, American Express made a sizable donation to help Voices for Utah Children work on issues involving early education. We are happy to report that investment in our work has led to great improvements in access to high quality preschool. American Express's initial investment allowed Voices for Utah Children to pioneer an innovative new model to expand access to government services—Pay for Success. This model, developed due to their early involvement in our work, has had our early childhood specialist traveling nationally and internationally to share with others our process. Our work advancing early childhood education, access to health care, safety, diversity and economic stability has benefited greatly from this. So in addition to celebrating our 30th birthday, we also are excited to mark 2015 as a year to commemorate the expansion of pioneering efforts using the "Pay for Success" formula.
For 30 years now, Voices for Utah Children has called on our state, federal and local leaders to put children's needs first. But the work is not done. The children of 30 years ago now have children of their own. Too many of these children are growing up in poverty, without access to healthcare or quality educational opportunities. How can you be involved?
- Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Voices for Utah Children with us at our Children's Champion Award Luncheon on September 30, 2015.
- Make a tax-deductible donation to Voices for Utah Children—or join our Network with a monthly donation of $20 or more. Network membership includes complimentary admission to the luncheon.
We look forward to the future of Voices for Utah Children and we hope you will be a part of our next 30 years.
Special thanks to American Express for sponsoring our 30th Anniversary Year.


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text:
It's 11:30am on Wednesday. You've got a 1:00pm lunch appointment, there's that call you need to make and the report due before lunch, and YOU KNOW you're at your best in the morning.
You take a deep breath into your belly and close your eyes as you feel your breath fall back away from your body. Imagine a moment in time when you melted under the touch of your lover. When every fiber of your being was focused and suspended in ecstasy.
Imagine that feeling now, noticing the warmth of your genitals. Begin slowly squeezing your vaginal muscles, pulsing and feeling your passion grow. Bring your mind to stillness, as you pump, and hold the vision of "I am perfection". Read more
Tantra teaches that lovemaking between a man and woman, when entered into with awareness, is a gateway to both sexual and spiritual ecstasy.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
A Powerful, Little Breath Exercise
Everyone has times when they need an energy boost. Why not try a quick Tantra pick-me-up instead of a cup of coffee? Suzie Heumann explains a powerful, little breath exercise that can wake you right up. Plus it can raise your sexual energy. Can coffee do that?
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text:
Sunroom Project Space 2017
Sonya Blesofsky
Sunroom Project Space | May 27–July 9
Pictured above: Afterimage, 2017; Charred wood, paper, paperboard, glue, hardware; 11' x 10 1/2' x 6'. Courtesy of the artist. Photos: Stefan Hagen
Sonya Blesofsky's work explores the traces of history that can be found embedded in architecture. She is interested in cycles of development and destruction, the fragility of history and the recovery of lost narratives by exposing their remnants. For her project in the Sun Porch, Blesofsky is inspired by architectural changes at Wave Hill, a former estate, and specifically the site of Glyndor House, which now houses Wave Hill's art gallery. Blesofsky's source material includes archival images of Glyndor I that show the extensive damage caused by a devastating fire in 1926. The house had been built by George Perkins between 1903 and 1906, razed after the 1926 fire and then replaced the following year by the current building, called Glyndor II. Blesofsky's project is a rumination on issues of memory, upheaval and transition elicited by this unfortunate event in Wave Hill's past.
Situated diagonally in the gallery space, Blesofsky's sculptural installation is inspired by Glyndor I's gambrel roof, gable dormer windows and exterior shutters. The artist's interpretation is crafted from white paper, tape and glue, and includes, as well, a wooden structure built and charred by the artist. From one side, this piece recalls a ghost-like, paper version of the original house's façade, appearing like an afterimage that lingers in one's memory. From the other side, it evokes the suddenly exposed walls of the burned building's interior. Thus, visitors can view the contrasting, collage-like exterior and the burned interior framework. A sculptural gesture that speaks to the changing nature of this site, the installation asks visitors to historic buildings to question what is "historic." In addition, Blesofsky's installation allows viewers to imagine Wave Hill's past, uncovering its transition from a private estate to a public space when the Perkins-Freeman family donated the Wave Hill property and buildings to the City of New York in 1960.
Sonya Blesofsky received an MFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and BA from UC Santa Cruz. Her work has been featured in national and New York-area exhibitions, including at Mixed Greens, New York, NY; Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY; Islip Art Museum, East Islip, NY; Swarm Gallery, Oakland, CA; and Plane Space, New York, NY. Blesofsky has participated in numerous residencies, such as Urban Glass, the Lower East Side Printshop, Museum of Arts and Design, CUE Art Foundation, Smack Mellon, Dieu Donné, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Workspace, the California Legion of Honor in San Francisco and KKV Print Shop in Malmö, Sweden, a partnership with the Women's Studio Workshop. Blesofsky has been awarded a fellowship at the MacDowell Colony for summer 2017.
Click here to learn more about the artist. A release about the 2017 season in the Sunroom Project Space is available here.
The Arts at Wave Hill are supported by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc.; Michael J. Shannon; Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; New York Community Trust Edward and Sally Van Lier Fund; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; The Pollock-Krasner Foundation; The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation; and by the Cathy and Stephen Weinroth Commissioning Fund for the Arts.


text: Malcolm Gladwell speaks to brokers about transformation Acclaimed author and speaker Malcolm Gladwell spoke to brokers about the subject of transformation Tuesday – a subject industry professionals have likely been pondering, themselves. "All of these new technology and communication are fundamentally changing how we do business and marketing is at the heart of that," Malcolm Gladwell told brokers at CAAMP's Mortgage Forum in Montreal on Tuesday. "The question is: how do you create transformation – how does it happen?" The mortgage broker industry is in flux; market share is down year-over-year, mortgage lending rules are ever-tightening, rates are expected to increase in the next year and technology is changing the way consumers attain mortgages. Gladwell spoke of several individuals who transformed their industries – and the three character traits that helped make that happen. These three traits are creativeness, disagreeableness and conscientiousness; three traits that work together to help individuals revolutionize industries. One example Gladwell gave was of a young RCA employee name David Sarnoff who helped transform the way consumers think about the radio – a fairly new, and expensive, technology that, at the time, that was used to report the news. People weren't rushing to pay for a piece of technology that provided the same service as newspapers, until Sarnoff changed all that. Knowing that an upcoming boxing match between Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier would be a big-ticket event, Sarnoff approached his bosses at RCA about transmitting the bout live, across radio waves. His bosses scoffed, but Sarnoff eventually persevered and sets up the entire process himself. He steals a transmitter, hires a kid to do the play-by-play, sets up a transmission booth in Jersey City and convinces bars to play the event. 300,000 people ended up listening to the event and sales for radios soon after skyrocketed. "He broadcasts the first live transmission of a sporting event in history," Gladwell explained. "Sarnoff reframes what radio is all about." It's an inspiring story that will surely encourage brokers who are riding the wave of change currently taking place in the industry. SHARE


text:
Episcleritis in Cats
Episcleritis is a medical condition of the eye, where the episclera (white part of the eye) appears red, but does not have any related discharge or excess tearing. This condition is typically benign and easy to treat using topical ointments or eye drops. The inflammation may appear as either a nodule or a thickening of the sclera (white part of the eye). Although it is typically limited to the specific area, it is possible for the inflammation to spread to other areas of the eye. The outcome is generally positive with treatment, although there are possible complications to be aware of.
Symptoms and Types
Episcleritis may appear as a small growth or nodule in the eye. The nodule may be smooth, painless, pink, or tan in color, or it may look like a firm mass. In some cases, the inflammation may be more widespread, causing your cat's eye to become reddened and irritated. Your cat may also experience pain, show signs of discomfort, rub its eye frequently, have discharge, or even close the affected eye.
The development of this inflammation is thought to be related to the immune system. Also, bacterial infections or fungal infections, cancer (lymphoma), eye trauma, and glaucoma have been known to cause inflammation in the eye.
Your veterinarian will want to perform a full eye exam. Only then can your doctor begin to rule out possible causes for the inflammation. If there is a large mass located in the eye, a biopsy may be performed to rule out cancer. It is also possible that there is a foreign object lodged in the eye that is causing the inflammation or infection.


text:
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text:
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among victims of reverse discrimination.
Victims may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Victims of
Reverse Discrimination
Originally published March 17,
As many as 7 percent of
Americans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point during their
lives. Modern psychology now recognizes that many traumatic incidents besides
combat can bring on PSTD, such as sexual assault, car accidents, on-the-job trauma, and
even discrimination.
I speak with and correspond with hundreds of victims of reverse discrimination. The
most common emotional state they all manifest is a non-combat equivalent of "shell
shock". They universally exhibit an attitude of "I just can't believe this
happened to me!" And "I don't know what to do about it!"
These are decent, work-ethic kinds of people. Some of them are professionals with
college educations, some are tradespeople, and all are (or were) hard working individuals
who just wanted to earn a living. They span all age ranges. My personal
contacts have been with individuals aged 30 to 70 years old. All of them were
economically productive, and emotionally whole, until faced with a traumatic incident of
reverse discrimination which said to them, in essence, "You cannot reap economic
reward in this country unless you are the 'correct' race, gender or ethnicity.
Unfortunately, you are 'white' and therefore we are going to pass you over for a person of
the correct color."
The victims I have dealt with most commonly manifest a severe erosion of self-confidence
as a result of this devastating encounter. Most of them suffer varying degrees of
anxiety and depression afterwards. Virtually all of them experience multiple occurrences
of reverse discrimination, and each episode serves to further reinforce their feelings of
helplessness and "wrongness".
While most of my dialogue with fellow victims have been in cyberspace, I have met some of
them face to face, and I've spoken with others on the telephone. These are brittle,
damaged people. You can tell by their voices, by their eye contact, by the way they
hold themselves. They live in fear that it will happen again -- and again. And
for many of them it DOES happen again and again.
Some of the individuals whom I've met are so incredibly angry that they can barely speak
of the discrimination without their voices shaking, or without becoming loud and angry, or
without weeping. Some of them were barely able to make eye contact with me, as if
they were ashamed of what happened to them. Many of them seem to find themselves
trapped in a recurring nightmare.
In layman's terms, all of these damaged souls are obsessed with what happened to
them. It occupies most of their waking moments, and frequently occupies their
sleeping, dreaming moments. As the psychologists say, they have "intrusive
recollections" or "flashbacks", which means that they find themselves
mentally reviewing the incident, constantly thinking about it, even though they do not
want to.
None of the victims with whom I've been in contact have demonstrated racism or bigotry.
They do not bear animosity toward "persons of color". Many of them
have friends or intimate relationships with individuals who are considered minorities.
But that only seems to make the pain of their reverse discrimination experience
even more acute.
My conversations with one victim in particular, who has himself become something of an
anti-quota, anti-preferences activist, directly led me to the idea of analyzing these
symptoms in terms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a bona fide medical / mental disorder as classified in
the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-IV).
The Americans with Disabilities Act also recognizes PTSD as a mental disability whose
victims are protected from employer discrimination.
Consistent with the APAs diagnostic standards regarding PTSD, it has become clear to
me that reverse discrimination often precipitates severe and lasting emotional and
psychological symptoms in its victims.
Symptoms such as profound shock, anxiety and despair are often manifested in victims who
have been denied employment, education, or government contracting opportunities simply
because they are not protected by preferential government and private sector
programs which specify that persons of the correct race (non-whites) be given
preference in hiring, promotions, and contracting.
The victims of reverse discrimination most often analyze the incident in terms like
this: "Wait a minute! You're telling me I can't have this job, promotion,
or contract because I'm the wrong color? That's racist! That's prohibited by
our laws, by our constitution! You can't do that!"
But then it IS done to them, and shortly thereafter they find that the courts and the
political process do not care that they were discriminated against because of their
race. This belated discovery only serves to deepen their sense of confusion, anger,
and depression. They ask "How can this be? I didn't do anything
wrong! I didn't discriminate against anybody! Why can't anyone see how wrong
this is?"
The idea that victims of reverse discrimination suffer from PTSD has been
validated, perhaps unintentionally, by advocates for minority victims of racial
discrimination at the annual convention of the National Medical Association in 1997.
In a 1997 article in Clinical Psychiatry News [25(10):1-2, 1997. © 1997 International
Medical News Group] the findings of Dr. Hugh F. Butts regarding the effects of racist
housing discrimination on minority victims are presented. Dr. Butts examined 30
victims of housing discrimination who were minorities. The article states, in part:
"Speaking at the annual convention of the National Medical Association, Dr. Hugh F.
Butts described symptoms of profound shock, anxiety, and despair suffered by people turned
away by landlords because of the color of their skin. In his evaluations of 30
people referred by fair housing groups, Dr. Butts found that most react with stunned anger
and momentary confusion to slammed doors or mysteriously rented apartments that were
available just moments before."
Since reverse discrimination is based on racism and/or sexism, it is more than plausible
that the same diagnosis proffered by Dr. Butts should -- must -- also be made for
victims of reverse discrimination. Most victims of reverse discrimination react
with anger and confusion when job opportunities, educational admissions, or government
contracts are denied because those opportunities have been reserved for persons of a
certain color or gender. Most reverse discrimination victims who have contacted me
initially express disbelief that this could be happening to them.
A very few lucky individuals are able to "forget about it" and chalk up the
incident to reverse racism in a crazy, politically correct America which is obsessed with
granting special race-based and gender-based favors to politically defined protected
classes at the expense of "non-minorities". (This is consistent with Dr.
Butts' presentation, cited above. This phenomenon is also consistent with the APA's
diagnostic criteria.)
However, for many other victims, feelings of depression, apathy, or sadness may develop
within hours, weeks, or a few months of the incident, and these symptoms may persist for
many years -- or for a lifetime. Disturbed sleep patterns often result. Many
victims report a pathological change in appetite, eating either too much (and gaining
weight), or eating too little (and losing weight).
Like all victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, victims of reverse discrimination
often focus incessantly on the original, seminal incident during which they experienced
denial of their right to equal protection under the law without regard to race or
gender. The incident may dominate their thoughts to such an extent that they go to
bed thinking of it, and they awake in the morning thinking of it. Many PTSD victims
have dreams about the original incident.
This is entirely consistent with symptoms manifested by victims of disasters or acts of
war: "Why is this happening to me? I didn't do anything wrong!"
Victims develop an extremely heightened sensitivity to subsequent, unrelated incidents
which merely remind them of the original, seminal reverse discrimination incident.
These secondary incidents cause extreme stress in and of themselves and, over time, can
lead to full-blown depressive disorders and to clinical Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Reverse discrimination victims may find themselves unable to apply for a new job, or
unable to bid on a new contract, or unable to apply to another school. They often
become fearful that any efforts to seek employment (or admission to a school) will result
in another incident of reverse discrimination! They may feel so helpless that they
are unable to seek legal redress. If they do seek legal redress they often find that
the deck is stacked against them, and that the courts turn a deaf ear to their pleas
because, after all, these victims are white and therefore they are presumed to have been
Their self-esteem and self confidence are damaged, or even completely shattered.
Most of them to some degree lose confidence in the U.S. legal system and in the
representative political process. "How could this be happening to me? I
played by the rules! I am not a racist! I was not a slave holder! And I
sure as hell wasn't given the opportunity to vote for or against this policy!"
In particular, government contractors, federal employees, students, and municipal
employees such as police and fire fighters frequently report they are rebuffed in their
attempts to obtain employment, promotions, government contracts or educational admissions
because they are "white" and/or male. These individuals are further
devastated when acquaintances who are "the right color or gender", i.e., who are
defined as a "minority" or as a "preferred class", more easily obtain
jobs, promotions, contracts or admission to the school of their choice.
Victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder induced by reverse discrimination often
experience gastrointestinal disorders, substance abuse problems, heightened "startle
response" (loud noises or other other, sudden, unexpected occurrences cause them to
overreact). Depression and/or migraine headaches may manifest for the first
time. Many such victims succumb to various cancers or cardiovascular problems.
Due to their trauma-induced emotional state (closed, fearful, and self-protective) many
victims develop problems in their interpersonal relationships. Victims' marriages
and friendships are frequently shattered in the aftermath of reverse discrimination
incidents. One insightful victim to whom I spoke last week candidly attributed his
advanced colon cancer and the dissolution of his marriage to his repeated experiences with
reverse discrimination. [This victim most
recently worked for the American Red Cross during Elizabeth Dole's leadership of that
organization. He reported to me that Ms. Dole's aggressive support of racial and
gender quotas virtually guaranteed that non-minority males at the Red Cross would never be
promoted. His own experiences at Red Cross, as he reported to me, proved that
assumption to be correct.]
There is a definite tendency in the politically-correct "pro-quota" world to
downplay the effects of reverse discrimination upon its victims. This fact is
painfully evident to the victims themselves, who have become hyper-sensitized to the
adverse effects upon them of any race-based policy.
The message these damaged souls repeatedly hear from the popular press and their elected
officials is: "Oh, its not so bad. You victims are white, and you're
privileged, and you can always find other work". But the evidence
overwhelmingly suggests otherwise: White (non-minority) employees and contractors
often cannot find other work, especially if they have lodged official
complaints or initiated legal proceedings pertaining to their reverse
discrimination. Retribution appears to run very high for those who seek color-blind
justice. Victims become hyper-aware of the legal and political efforts to define
"criticism" of these policies as non-protected speech. (See also Eugene
Volokh: Is Criticizing Affirmative Action Illegal?)
Based on the hundreds of stories of reverse discrimination cases which have crossed
Adversity.Nets desk, it is quite evident that many -- perhaps most -- victims of
this abhorrent, unconstitutional practice suffer from real and verifiable symptoms of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an actionable/protected mental disability within
the definition of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Victims thus may
qualify for protection from employer and workplace discrimination against them for
manifesting this disorder. -30-
[© 2000, 2002 Adversity.Net. All Rights Reserved.]
[ About the Author: Tim Fay is a federal
contractor in Washington, DC. He has repeatedly been subjected to reverse
discrimination and denial of business opportunities because of his race and gender.
He continues to be amazed that federal officials routinely tell him that he is the wrong
race to be performing contract work for the government. For a capsule summary of Mr. Fay's
documented reverse discrimination experiences, see especially Case 1 and Case 24.]
Links, References, and Sources:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(American Psychiatric Association)
"Symptoms -- PTSD
usually appears within 3 months of the trauma, but sometimes the disorder appears later.
PTSDs symptoms fall into three categories:
"Intrusion -- In
people with PTSD, memories of the trauma reoccur unexpectedly, and episodes called
"flashbacks" intrude into their current lives. This happens in sudden, vivid
memories that are accompanied by painful emotions that take over the victims
attention. This experience, or "flashback," of the trauma is a recollection. It
may be so strong that individuals almost feel like they are actually experiencing the
trauma again or seeing it unfold before their eyes and in nightmares.
"Avoidance --
Avoidance symptoms affect relationships with others: The person often avoids close
emotional ties with family, colleagues, and friends. At first, the person feels numb, has
diminished emotions, and can complete only routine, mechanical activities. Later, when
reexperiencing the event, the individual may alternate between the flood of emotions
caused by reexperiencing and the inability to feel or express emotions at all. The person
with PTSD avoids situations or activities that are reminders of the original traumatic
event because such exposure may cause symptoms to worsen.
"The inability of people with PTSD to work out grief and anger over injury or loss
during the traumatic event means the trauma can continue to affect their behavior without
their being aware of it. Depression is a common product of this inability to resolve
painful feelings. Some people also feel guilty because they survived a disaster while
othersparticularly friends or familydid not.
"Hyperarousal --
PTSD can cause those who have it to act as if they are constantly threatened by the trauma
that caused their illness. They can become suddenly irritable or explosive, even when they
are not provoked. They may have trouble concentrating or remembering current information,
and, because of their terrifying nightmares, they may develop insomnia. This constant
feeling that danger is near causes exaggerated startle reactions.
"Finally, many people with PTSD also attempt to rid themselves of their painful
re-experiences, loneliness, and panic attacks by abusing alcohol or other drugs as a
"self medication" that helps them to blunt their pain and forget the trauma
temporarily. A person with PTSD may show poor control over his or her impulses and
may be at risk for suicide." (Courtesy of the American Psychiatric Association)
[Last known link http://www.psych.org/public_info/PTSD~1.HTM
EEOC Notice Number 915.002 Date
3-25-97 -- Post traumatic stress disorder caused by reverse discrimination may qualify you
for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (see links, below)
1. What is a "mental impairment" under
the ADA?
The ADA rule defines "mental impairment" to include "[a]ny mental or
psychological disorder, such as . . . emotional or mental illness."
Examples of "emotional or mental illness[es]" include major depression, bipolar
disorder, anxiety disorders (which include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder,
and post-traumatic stress disorder), schizophrenia, and personality
disorders. The current edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (now the fourth edition, DSM-IV) is relevant
for identifying these disorders. The DSM-IV has been recognized as an important
reference by courts and is widely used by American mental health professionals for
diagnostic and insurance reimbursement purposes. Not all conditions listed in the
DSM-IV, however, are disabilities, or even impairments, for purposes of the ADA.
For example, the DSM-IV lists several conditions that Congress expressly excluded from the
ADA's definition of "disability." While DSM-IV covers conditions involving
drug abuse, the ADA provides that the term "individual with a disability" does
not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the
covered entity acts on the basis of that use. The DSM-IV also includes conditions
that are not mental disorders but for which people may seek treatment (for example,
problems with a spouse or child). Because these conditions are not disorders,
they are not impairments under the ADA.
Even if a condition is an impairment, it is not automatically a "disability."
To rise to the level of a "disability," an impairment must
"substantially limit" one or more major life activities of the individual."
[Last known link: http://sago.tamu.edu/legal/eeoc.htm]
[Last known link: http://www.ljextra.com/practice/laboremployment/eeoc.html
[Last known link: http://www.ljx.com/practice/laboremployment/eeoc.html
Public and Private Sector Employers
of 15 or More Subject to ADA
"Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which applies to public and private
sector employers with 15 or more employees, prohibits an employer from discriminating
against a qualified individual with a disability.
"The ADA's prohibition against discrimination on the basis of an individual's mental
impairment raises some of the most difficult issues for employers covered by the statute.
"The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has reported that 6,521, or 12 percent,
of ADA charges filed between July 1992 and September 1995 involved mental or emotional
impairments. This number signals the complexity of the issues surrounding
application of the ADA to mental disorders."
[Last known link http://www.amcity.com/albany/stories/1996/07/01/smallb1.html
More / Similar: Oklahoma City Survivors Exhibit Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (08/25/99)
CHICAGO "Nearly half the bombing survivors studied from the Oklahoma City
bombing had an active post-disaster psychiatric disorder, according to an article in the
August 25 [1999] issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
"Carol S. North, M.D., M.P.E., from the Washington University School of Medicine, St.
Louis, and colleagues interviewed 182 adult survivors of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, approximately 6 months after the
disaster. The bombing killed 167 and injured 684 people. The fatality rate inside the
Murrah building was 46 percent and 93 percent of survivors who were in the building were
injured. The study objectives included documenting rates of postdisaster mental health
problems, examining functional impairment, and identifying predictors of these
difficulties to help guide mental health intervention workers in future disasters.
"The researchers found that 45 percent of the subjects had a postdisaster psychiatric
disorder and 34 percent has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The number of personal
injuries and injury or death of a family member or friend increased the likelihood of a
postdisaster disorder. Women had about twice the rate of PTSD as men (45 percent vs. 23
percent), major depression (32 percent vs. 13 percent), and were more likely to be
diagnosed with any postdisaster disorder (55 percent vs. 34 percent).
"According to the authors, onset of PTSD was swift, with 76 percent of the subjects
reporting same-day onset. Few cases developed after the first month." (JAMA -
Journal of the American Medical Association, 1999;281:755-762)
[Last known link http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/sci-news/1998/pres_rel.htm#joc81594
End Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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The day was sunny and bright at Patong Beach in Phuket as we waited for our ride to start our kayaking safari with John Gray Sea Canoe. We had messed up the dates a day earlier thinking it was already Feb. 1st when we called John Gray to make sure they didn't forget about us. "We have you on the books" they said, "but not until tomorrow ." Woops, my bad. We have been traveling for months, and knowing the days of the week is not our strongest suit.
It ended up being a blessing in disguise as I had the chance to chat with John Gray himself and we enjoyed a pleasant conversation. By the end of it, he decided that he was going to come and pick us up tomorrow to take us personally to the boat.
It was 11:45 sharp when we were greeted by a jolly, large man with a long white beard. John Gray is known as LingYai (Big Monkey) in Thailand and he is famous all around for starting the Sea Kayaking business in the Andaman sea and the Polynesian Islands.
Hailing from Hawaii, he is an expert in tidal caves and stresses conservation of the ocean that he holds so dear to his heart.
Our drive to Phuket Pier gave us about an hour to get to know John better. Building his first canoe in 1955, he hasn't left the water in over 50 years. Having already won many an environmental battle in Hawaii, he felt secure in leaving his "island paradise" to look after itself. It was now time to set his sites on South East Asia and teach the people about preservation of their incredible land.
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Receiving A Bone Graft Before A Dental Implant: 2 Tips For Effective Aftercare
According to the experts, nearly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. If you are thinking of investing in a dental implant to replace your own missing tooth, it is important that you take the time to fully understand the process. In order to properly place an implant, your dentist needs a solid base of bone. If you don't have enough bone to complete the implant procedure, your dentist will probably perform a bone graft first to help supplement your existing bone.
Here are two tips you can use to ensure that your bone graft heals quickly and properly.
1. Eat A Proper Diet
Immediately following your bone graft procedure it will be important for you to eat a proper diet. While nutrients do matter, it's more important for you to focus on the texture of the foods you consume in order to allow the bone time to heal.
Here are some foods you should avoid while your bone graft heals:
- Anything with a crunch. If a food is crunchy, that likely means it has sharp edges that could damage your incision site as you eat. Avoiding foods like potato chips, popcorn, and hard candies will help you heal faster.
- Anything that is spicy. While a little heat might satiate your appetite on a regular day, eating spicy foods after a bone graft is not advised. Not only could these foods delay the healing process, but they can cause discomfort by burning or irritating the incision site.
2. Maintain A Strict Oral Hygiene Regimen
In addition to brushing and flossing the areas of your mouth that were not affected by the bone graft procedure, you must take additional precautions to ensure that your oral hygiene routine allows the incision site to heal properly. Keeping the bone graft site clear of any food particles will prevent possible bacterial infections.
Here are some easy oral hygiene tasks you can do at home to help your bone graft heal properly:
- If your dentist has given you a prescription mouthwash, use it. Prescription mouthwashes help to remove the bacteria that cause infection. If your dentist prescribes a mouthwash, you should use it the night before your surgery to help prep the bone graft site. The prescription mouthwash should also be used after breakfast and before you go to bed the day after your surgery. This will reduce your chances of developing an infection.
- Rinse regularly with saltwater. Keeping the bone graft site clean is essential when it comes to proper healing. To maintain cleanliness throughout the day, be sure that you rinse with a warm saltwater solution 4-5 times per day. This solution can be made by adding a teaspoon of table salt to a cup of hot water.
By taking the time to learn how you can care for your bone graft, you will increase the likelihood that your incision heals properly. Eliminating potential complications ensures that you will be able to receive a dental implant without delay.