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TMZ.com passed this along.
WWE Star Shawn Daivari — Chokes A Guy Out In Epic Train Rescue
Former WWE Star Shawn Daivari says he used a REAR NAKED CHOKE HOLD to save a train full of people last week … after an unruly passenger allegedly threatened to kill them.
TMZ spoke to Daivari … who says the incident went down last Thursday on an airport bound train from Minneapolis. The WWE star says an uncontrollable passenger in his car became violent … shouted racial slurs and threatened to kill his fellow passengers.
Daivari says multiple people pressed the emergency button to call for help — but NOTHING happened.
The pro-wrestler then took matters into his own hands telling TMZ, "I wasn't going to wait any longer to see if a cop showed up." Daivari says he threw the guy down, slapped on a rear naked choke hold on him and then threw his ass out at the next stop.
One witness, who was on the train when it all went down, tells us Daivari choked out the passenger so hard … he peed his pants.
A rep for the Metro Transit Rail tells TMZ … "Metro Transit police responded after being alerted by the train operator to a fight on board. The investigation is ongoing."


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ABINGDON — Two Blacksburg residents pleaded guilty last week in federal court to charges stemming from a home invasion robbery in Carroll County last year.
U.S. Attorney Julia C. Dudley said Donnell Edward Callaham, 26, and Korie Lee Hodges, 19, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon to charges of conspiracy, being in possession of stolen firearms and being in possession of stolen firearms with the serial number removed or obliterated.
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The art of Zorbing in Rotorua
Alex went Zorbing in Rotorua and found that it's the uniqueness of the experience that makes it a great thrill.
How zorbing was born
Zorbing was invented by New Zealanders Dwane van der Sluis and Andrew Akers. Inspired by a TV commercial, these two crazy characters invented an inflatable ball that would float on water with people inside it, although as the people got out of the ball, it deflated and had to be re-inflated before the next passengers entered.
Keen to create the ultimate floating people bubble, they set about creating an alternative and came up with a double skinned ball which allowed people to enter and exit without the ball having to be deflated and re-inflated. This design was a success, but the application of the design as an activity wasn't exactly exhilarating – manoeuvring the ball on water was hard work and didn't lend itself to the archetypal Kiwi adventure activity involving heaps of adrenaline. Then one day they decided to see how it faired rolling down a hill. To their delight their new transportation device responded well and was a phenomenal success – Zorbing was born! Want to know things to do in Rotorua? Read on!
First time zorber
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience this crazy Kiwi creation on a recent trip to Rotorua and what better way to get the happy adrenaline engaged than bounding down a hill in an inflatable ball?
There are many ways to Zorb – wet, dry, zigzag or straight down the hill and with or without your mates. As a first time 'Zorbonaut', I decided to opt for the slightly less extreme option of Zydro Zorbing (a cross between a waterslide and a rollercoaster). The Zorb itself is an 11 foot high inflatable transparent sphere with a hole in the side giving access to the inner sphere, where you're protected by 2 feet of air cushioning.
The adventure begins
I headed for the pickup spot where a mini van would take me and the other Zorbonauts to our 'vessels'. As we wound up the narrow road, the Zorbing veterans in the van, dripping wet and on their second, third or fourth mission, chatted excitedly about which way down they were going to try next…which all added to the anticipation for a first timer. I opted for the 180m zigzag route!
Entering the bubble
One by one the veterans took a superman dive through the reasonably snug entry hole in the Zorb and set off on their chosen route down the hill. Having watched the 'experts', I tried a similar dive into the Zorb, although realised after getting stuck half way that, next time, I needed to dive with a little more force! A small amount of warm water had been poured into the Zorb to make the ride the Zydro experience it's billed to be. I wriggled into the ball and found myself inside a rather large plastic cocoon.
Getting going
Standing up, the staff member gave me a few instructions, the most important one being to enjoy! They zipped up the hole and I stood up, anticipating the forewarned tap on the outside telling me when to get the ball moving. A large thudding sound and I began walking as instructed, although within seconds I could no longer stay standing and ended up on the base of the sphere, slipping and sliding around.
Zigging and zagging
I was totally disorientated as the ball zigzagged down its purpose built channel and I found myself whooping and giggling out loud all the way down. At the bottom of the hill other members of the Zorb team were waiting to assist me in getting out – a similar experience, I pondered, to being re-born – and snapping my first steps as a fledgling Zorbonaut.
It's a hilarious and uplifting experience and it's easy to get hooked – once is never enough!
Want to Zorb? Get some great Rotorua accommodation at YHA Rotorua and the awesome staff will help you orgainse your zorbing experience.
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YHA Rotorua is a purpose-built hostel that has been designed with your comfort and security in mind. Expect to be impressed!


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One of the big headlines out of the World Economic Forum was Lloyd Blankfein's take on the mergers and acquisitions environment.
As Deal Journal noted, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was downbeat in a CNBC interview "We track M&A as a percentage of GDP and it's a much lower level than we should be at this part of the cycle," Blankfein said. "And I'm kind of at a loss to explain why."
It turns out he may not be at a loss for long.
Dealogic reports that U.S. targeted M&A to date is at its highest level since 2009. Granted, it's early but there's already been 1,017 deals valued at a combined $107.6 billion. That's 88% higher than the same 2012 period ($57.2 billion).
Healthcare, with $58 billion worth of deals, and telecom, $15.9 billion, are the most active industries.
M&A advisory work is still a big part of Goldman's forte. But last year Goldman fell behind in the rankings, capturing just 8.1% of the advisory fees paid, according to Dealogic. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America's Merrill Lynch unit garnered 10.3% and 9.9% respectively.
The fees are among the most high-margin businesses on Wall Street save for underwriting initial public offerings. U.S. advisory firms collected $31.6 billion in 2012, which was a lackluster year.
-- David Weidner
Follow The Tell blog on Twitter @thetellblog


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BOM (Bergen Ocean Model)
Posted March 20, 2002,18:06
Institution: Institute of Marine Research, Norway
Contact: email@example.com
The Bergen Ocean Model is a numerical simulation tool developed at the Institute of Marine Research, Norway and at the Hydrodynamics group, Department of mathematics, University of Bergen, Norway. The code development was initiated in 1995, and the process of incorporating improved numerical techniques is continuously ongoing. The model is implemented in FORTRAN 90 with a freely available source code. The mathematical basis for the model is the velocity field, pressure, density, salinity and temperature governed by momentum, continuity and conservation equations. The discetization applies finite differences on a staggered grid with a vertical sigma-coordinate representation. Further details can be found in the documentation.
Copyright ©2002-2007 Ocean-Modeling.org. All rights reserved. Webmaster


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Chuck Palahniuk Picture On PEN America
PEN asked its members (which I assume Chuck is one) to submit photos of their private lifes. Check out the picture that Chuck submitted of his dog (Imp I believe), hanging out in his basement with some 'friends'.
I can only assume from this picture that Chuck has started preparing his tour gifts for Snuff. :)


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Spreading the Word...
High School NAEP
NCLB Commission Report
New Appointment
Science for Girls
Estuarine Education Survey
Quote to Note
Upcoming Events
Spreading the Word...
On February 15, Secretary Spellings visited the Big Apple to meet with business and higher education leaders on preparing students to compete in the 21st century and tour a high-performing public school (coincidentally named the 21st Century Academy). Throughout, she emphasized the administration's proposals to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act and reform America's higher education system. "At the federal level, we will continue to do our part," she told attendees at a forum sponsored by TIAA-CREF, the Business-Higher Education Forum, and the Partnership for New York City. "But the truth of the matter is that many of the Commission's [on the Future of Higher Education] recommendations require the leadership of stakeholders who don't work in Washington. My goal is for everyone present, including those of us from the U.S. Department of Education, to bring workable solutions to the table." The first part of the Commission's plan is to renew No Child Left Behind, expanding its effective principles to high schools and aligning high school standards with college expectations. The Commission's plan also addresses college affordability and accountability. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/02/02152007a.html.
On February 22, the Secretary conveyed a similar message to Tampa, Florida, business leaders and toured Dunbar Magnet School, a math, science, and technology elementary school that admits students by lottery. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/02/02222007a.html.
The Department's senior officers are also spreading the word. For example, on February 13, Chief of Staff David Dunn addressed the Association of Community College Trustees while Undersecretary of Education Sara Martinez Tucker delivered the keynote address at the American Council of Education's annual conference; on February 16, Deputy Secretary of Education Ray Simon gave the keynote at Texas' Statewide Education Summit; on February 18, Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education Troy Justesen delivered remarks at the Community Colleges for International Development Conference; on February 20, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Catherine Freeman participated in a roundtable on No Child Left Behind in Tennessee; and, on February 21, Deputy Chief of Staff Holly Kuzmich participated in a roundtable on No Child Left Behind in North Carolina.
High School NAEP
Speaking of high schools, two new reports released yesterday (February 22) present a mixed picture of educational achievement in the U.S. On the one hand, graduates are taking more challenging courses and earning higher grades during their high school careers. Indeed, according to "The Nation's Report Card: America's High School Graduates" (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/hsts/), 68% completed at least a standard curriculum in 2005, up from 59% in 2000, and the overall grade point average was about one-third of a grade higher in 2005 than in 1990. On the other hand, senior test scores are failing to keep pace. According to "The Nation's Report Card: Twelfth-Grade Reading and Mathematics 2005" (http://nationsreportcard.gov/reading_math_grade12_2005/), the average twelfth-grade reading score on the latest National Assessment of Education (NAEP) was the lowest it has been since 1992 (albeit not significantly different from 2002). And in mathwhich used a new assessment that is not comparable to previous versionsless than a quarter of twelfth-graders scored at or above proficient. Moreover, for both subjects, significant achievement gaps persist among racial and ethnic student groups. In reading, the average score for white students was 26 points higher than for black students and 21 points higher than for Hispanic students. In math, the average score for white students was 31 points higher than for black students and 24 points higher than for Hispanic students.
Note: The 2007 NAEP began January 22 and will continue until early March. The full participation of selected schools and students is crucial to the success of this evaluation. For more information, please go to http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/naep2007.asp.
NCLB Commission Report
Last week, the Aspen Institute's year-old Commission on No Child Left Behind released its final report, with 75 recommendations for strengthening the law in the areas of standards, accountability, improvement/options, and teacher quality. "The report supports many of the proposals advanced in President Bush's 'Building on Results' blueprint that was released last month," the Secretary noted in a statement. "I am encouraged the Commission addressed embedding growth models in the law to measure student achievement over time, the pressing need for highly qualified teachers in every classroom, and more significant interventions and critical resources for schools that are chronically underperforming. Co-chairs Secretary Tommy Thompson and Governor Roy Barnes have my gratitude for their dedication to reauthorizing and improving the law." For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/02/02132007.html. (The Commission's report is available at http://www.nclbcommission.org/.)
New Appointment
President Bush has nominated Williamson Evers to serve as the Department's Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. He would replace Tom Luce, who resigned last year to spend more time with his family. Evers, who received his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, most recently served as a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and a member of the Institution's influential Koret Task Force on K-12 Education. Previously, he advised the President on his 2000 and 2004 campaigns, served on the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, and served on the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board. From July to December 2003, he was senior adviser for education to Administrator Paul Bremer of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. The Department's Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development coordinates and integrates policy development across principal offices and administers the functions of the Budget Service, Office of Educational Technology, Performance and Information Management Service, and Policy and Program Studies Service. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/02/02082007.html.
Science for Girls
A new web site sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, http://www.iwaswondering.com/, is intended to showcase the notable accomplishments of contemporary women in science and spotlight for young girls the varied and intriguing careers of some of today's most prominent scientists. The site draws from a 10-volume series of biographies entitled "Women's Adventures in Science," including Amy Vedder, a wildlife biologist who studies gorillas in Africa; Nancy Wexler, a neuropsychologist who has researched Huntington's disease; and Cynthia Breazeal, a designer of robots that can work cooperatively with people. Each of the profiled women participated directly in the creation of her book and the web site by explaining her scientific specialty in ways that will inform and engage young minds.
Estuarine Education Survey
TERC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Estuarine Research Reserve System is developing teaching and professional development materials about estuaries, watersheds, and related concepts. Teachers and informal educators are invited to help by sharing thoughts and opinions about these topics in an online needs assessment survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish. All respondents will be entered in a raffle for memberships and educational materials donated by various professional organizations. For more information, please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=359273229697.
Quote to Note
"There's an income gap in America that I talked about when I went to Wall Street. And, what's clear to me is that our kids have got to have education so that, in this global economy, the jobs of the 21st century stay here at home.... Therefore, I will argue vociferously the No Child Left Behind Act needs to be reauthorized, it's working, it's an important piece of legislation, and will reach out to Democratic members, as well as Republican members, to get this bill reauthorized."
|President George W. Bush (2/14/07)
Upcoming Events
The Department's next "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast, on reforming higher education, is scheduled for March 20. Also, if you missed it, be sure to view the archived webcast of this month's show on math and science education. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/.
On February 28, the Center for American Progress and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will jointly release an education report card on the performance of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in nine areas, including rigor of standards, academic achievement, postsecondary and workforce readiness, and return on investment. The organizations will also introduce a shared platform for educational reform. For more information, please go to http://www.americanprogress.org/events/2007/02/report_card.html.
Friday, March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss), is the National Education Association's 10th annual Read Across America Day. For more information, please go to http://www.nea.org/readacross/.
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Dan Walters
Dan Walters: Once again, workers' compensation tinged with scandal
When the FBI conducted a years-long undercover investigation of influence-peddling in the state Capitol during the 1980s, agents posed as businessmen seeking special state treatment for a fictional shrimp-processing plant.
That sting operation snared the first batch of politicians and staffers, and in time-honored fashion, some who found themselves on the hook were offered deals if they would implicate others in wrongdoing.
A state senator took the offer, and in return for a relatively lenient sentence, wore a wire as a lobbyist for insurance companies, seeking a bill changing workers' compensation law, offered him a bribe.
The senator wound up in a low-security prison in Lompoc, known colloquially as "Club Fed," for a relatively short stretch while the lobbyist did his time at a prison in the Nevada desert, where he became known as "the judge" for mediating disputes among his fellow inmates.
No one in the Capitol was surprised that the multibillion-dollar system for compensating workers for job-related illnesses and injuries had become the centerpiece of scandal.
Even tiny changes in the system's labyrinth of laws and administrative rules can mean many millions of dollars for its stakeholders – employers, workers' compensation lawyers, labor unions, insurers, and medical care and rehabilitation providers.
The stakeholders joust constantly in the courts, in administrative rule-making proceedings and in the Legislature over who's entitled to what and who pays what. Occasionally – about once a decade – the politicians gin up a systemic overhaul that's always labeled "reform" by those who gain but always has some sore losers.
Just as it wasn't surprising that the feds' sting involved workers' compensation two-plus decades ago, it was not surprising that a more recent federal sting – which followed the previous script closely – touched on the same issue.
Among other crimes, Sen. Ron Calderon is accused of helping the owner of a Long Beach hospital get many millions of dollars in extra payments for spinal fusion surgery on workers' compensation patients by manipulating one of the many arcane rules governing the system.
The authorization was buried in a mammoth bill, signed by former Gov. Gray Davis in 2002, that purported to be a reform to reduce costs borne by employers.
Hospital owner Michael Drobot has pleaded guilty to federal charges of paying kickbacks to doctors to get patients, and Calderon awaits trial.
It's an extreme example, but an example nonetheless, of how the welfare of injured workers is often the last consideration when high-powered stakeholders in the workers' compensation system and politicians get together to decide how their disabilities will be treated.


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October 11, 2002
LOS ANGELES — UCLA Anderson and Doshisha Management School will host their first-ever joint business conference titled, "Global Business in the 21st Century: Building a New Management Paradigm," on November 1, 2002, in Kyoto, Japan.
The conference will address leadership strategy, corporate governance and change management frameworks for Japanese companies. Participants will present ideas for how Japanese companies can better embrace new management philosophies currently used by organizations across the globe.
Dr. Sanford M. Jacoby, Howard Noble Chair in Management at UCLA Anderson, will be a featured keynote speaker. His speech will focus on corporate governance and corporate responsibility in Japan and the United States. "This is an exciting time to share ideas and experiences about prospects for Global Business in the 21st century," said Dr. Jacoby. "We live in a globalized economy where business in different parts of the world is becoming more interdependent. In both Japan and the United States companies seek to promote entrepreneurship, and are looking to renew and revitalize their corporate strategies and create new forms of corporate governance."
The conference will consist of a series of distinguished keynotes by leading industry executives, who will discuss Japanese corporate structure and models to implement change management and corporate renewal. The prominent speakers include Dr. Eiji Hatta, president, Doshisha University; Mr. Satoshi Iue, chairman, Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.; Mr. Masaru Murai, former president, Compaq Computer K.K.; Mr. Yasuo Nishiguchi, president, Kyocera Corporation; Mr. Nobuo Tateishi, chairman, Omron Corporation; Mr. Kiyoshi Sasamori, chairman, Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Mr. Yoshinobu Yamada, senior analyst and managing director, Merrill Lynch and Ms. Chiyono Terada, president, Art Corporation.Following the Global Business in the 21st Century Conference, UCLA Anderson and Doshisha Management School will present a two-day Corporate Leadership Seminar at Lake Biwa, November 2-3, 2002. The program, designed for leaders and future leaders of Japanese companies, will build upon the concepts presented in the conference and examine management solutions for corporate leadership and innovation.
In addition to Dr. Jacoby, notable speakers at the Corporate Leadership Seminar include Dr. David Lewin, Neil Jacoby Professor of Management at UCLA Anderson; Dr. Yoshi-Fumi Nakata, dean, Doshisha Management School; and Dr. Hugh Whittaker, professor, Doshisha Management School.
For more information and to register for the Global Business in the 21st Century Conference, please visit Doshisha Management School's Web site.
About Executive Education Programs at UCLA Anderson
UCLA has been in the business of executive education since 1954. The school's Office of Executive Education Programs host nearly 2,000 executives annually from around the world representing all continents and almost 50 countries. Each year, the school's Executive Education Programs offer more than 40 programs that incorporate the most recent innovations in management education, including the Mergers & Acquisitions Program, the Strategic Leadership Institute and the Creativity and Innovation program.
About UCLA Anderson
UCLA Anderson is perennially ranked among the top-tier business schools in the world. Award winning faculty renowned for their research and teaching, highly selective students, successful alumni and world-class facilities combine to provide an extraordinary learning opportunity. Established in 1935, The school provides management education to more than 1,300 students enrolled in full-time, part-time and executive MBA programs and academic master's and Ph.D. programs. In addition, there are approximately 500 undergraduate students enrolled in UCLA Anderson's Undergraduate Accounting Minor Program.
The school's faculty includes outstanding educators and researchers who share their scholarship and expertise in such fundamental areas as finance, marketing, accounting, business economics, decisions, operations and technology management, human resources and organizational behavior, information systems, strategy and policy.
Offering unparalleled expertise in management education, the world's business community turns to UCLA Anderson as a center of influence for the ideas, innovations, strategies, and talent that will shape the future.


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St. Joe Beach property owner Bill Koran came to the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday with more questions and information about the Americus Ditch project.
St. Joe Beach property owner Bill Koran came to the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday with more questions and information about the Americus Ditch project.
Commissioner Joanna Bryan said answers may be coming soon.
The ditch, which according to records from the Clerk of Courts, has cost county taxpayers over $1.2 million to date, including more than 130 repair jobs, including a recent filling in of dirt around an above-ground break in the pipe continues to be a problem, Koran said.
The line, in some sections, is 20-24 inches out of grade, Koran said.
Over prior meetings commissioners have said a job bid out six years ago and finished more than five years ago was in the past and of little interest to them, but Koran and Bryan have pushed back saying the ditch continues to be an issue.
�There are 40 or 50 homes out there that are affected by that ditch,� Koran said. �So it is in the future. We could have had some homes washed out if that storm (Tropical Storm Karen) had come this way last week.�
Koran said commissioners had just raised taxes by more than $1 million and he had been personally attacked at meetings by members of the audience while trying to bring pressing county business to the BOCC.
�I came here to discuss a real problem and I have been personally attacked,� Koran said. �I am here to show the public the truth.�
But, he said, his own research backed up fundamental assertions.
Firstly, the company that was contracted for the job was not, as required under bid specifications, a Florida Department of Transportation pre-qualified contractor, contrary to statements made by Brad Bailey, owner of Bailey and Sons.
According to correspondence from Darlene Anderson, Prequalification Supervisor of the FDOT, agency records do not show Bailey and Sons was prequalified to perform road or bridge work.
Koran also noted that Bailey and Sons drew its final payment for the job, indicating all had signed off on the job and �everyone was happy.�
This despite obvious problems from the outset on a job contracted for 120 days which took nearly 10 months to complete and, most importantly, without a final inspection report which should have been filed.
Those reports, he said, could not be located by the Clerk�s office.
�Either no reports were done or reports were removed from the file,� Koran said.
Koran also questioned discrepancies in billing for the job from Preble Rish Engineers, which designed and inspected the job.
Under original invoices obtained from the Clerk�s office, the job started as a $1 million project and was a $1.1 million job later in the year.
He also noted that some $220,000 worth of pipe burned in 2008 and said public records do not indicate who absorbed that cost.
In an email between the Clerk�s office and county administrative staff, Koran noted, two invoices from Bailey and Sons could not be located by the Clerk�s office and staff there were told administrative staff would handle the issue.
Koran also wondered how Bailey could have submitted an invoice in January 2008 before the commencement of the project the following month and the securement of a construction bond by his company.
�We have a building problem,� Koran said. �We could save the taxpayers money. We should look at all projects. The county needs to get what is paid for.�
Bryan said that Ralph Rish, president of Preble Rish, had appeared before the BOCC and pledged to work with the county to fix any problems.
She said had reached out to Rish and they were �working toward remedying problems with this ditch.�
Commissioner Tan Smiley, expressing an opinion diametrically opposed to prior meetings when Americus Ditch was deemed old news, said the board would also assist.
�If we do have a problem I know we can fix it,� Smiley said. �That Americus Ditch, if we do have a problem, Ms. Bryan, if you need anything let us board members know.�


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The NACI has organized resources by audience so patients, families, and caregivers; health care professionals; schools and childcare settings; states, communities, and coalitions; employers, employees, and worksites; and public and private purchasers and insurers; and other asthma stakeholders can access information in a fast and reliable way.
Click on the appropriate link below to browse resources applicable to your community.
Last Updated February 2011
Download or order print copies
Download or order print copies
Download or view


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Tired of predictable designs in dog clothes? Hip Doggie is the edgy answer. I imagine their designers wake up after a weekend of partying with fashion models in Paris, and dream up creations that are equal parts sweet, strange and devilishly good looking. Hip Doggie is for dogs who like to walk on the wild side.
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For 6/1 prompt image
Pretty shells
Oh very pretty 🙂
Beautiful shells!
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Kennesaw State, 14-8, 7-2 in the conference, swept the three-game series. The Bisons are 7-13, 0-3 in the A-Sun.
The Bisons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning. With two outs T.J. Hoelzer reached base on a bunt single. M.L. Williams followed with a single to left. Josh Chism doubled down the left field line to drive in Hoelzer. Richie Goodenow walked to load the bases, but Tennyson Dodd struck out swinging to end the inning.
Kennesaw State roared back with four runs in the third. Two-RBI doubles by Andy Chriscaden and Peyton Hart accounted for the runs. Kennesaw State added two more runs in the fifth on a single by Drew Fowlkes.
The Bisons attempted a rally in the sixth. Goodenow led off the inning with a double to left center. Dodd then struck out swinging and Lee Wilson flied out to right field. Logan Hostettler then doubled to bring in Goodenow.
Hostettler and Williams each had two hits as the Bisons had eight in the game.
Right-hander Dannie Strable, 2-3, started for the Bisons. He gave up six hits and four runs while walking two and striking out four in 2.1 innings. Right-hander Josh Cotham pitched the rest of the way. In 5.2 innings he was touched for five hits and two runs, one earned. He walked one and struck out eight.
The Bisons are back in action Wednesday at 6 when the University of Tennessee visits Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium. It will be the third Southeastern Conference team the Bisons have played this season.


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There are several cool video-game themed Monopoly sets out there, but I'd be hard-pressed to think of a cooler one than this homemade Red Dead Redemption set put together by Redditor inspirermeg.
From the imgur description:
This was a 2-week project at school, so though I'm happy with the result - I wasn't able to completely finish the project and perfect it (The hotels/houses are the same and better player-bricks? are needed.(The requirements were only the box, the board game itself, Working playerbricks, 3 card examples... though I made them all)) Spent an approximately 8 hours designing and 4 hours printing, taping, glueing and cutting everything. The product contains all the property cards, chance-cards, luck-cards... and the board game, of course.
Get a load of this action:
Yes. I would play it.
(Via Reddit.)


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Toyota Sienna Water Leaks
bostonengineer Posts: 1We had the same problem – water seeping and pooling into the front seat driver and passenger foot wells and soaking the carpets. The final solution was the same – replace the tailgate seal. The car is "raked" forward for style, and water was being channeled down the rear floor corrugations to the front seat foot wells. To verify the problem, you can stick your hand down under the front carpet and padding via the open flap below the glove compartment and also behind the brake pedal. If you remove the rear seats, there are small cutouts around the seat brackets where you can also stick your hand under the padding. If both are damp it has to be from the seal problem.
You have to replace the seal and remove the carpet to dry it. The carpet has a waterproof base, which will prevent the inch of padding under the carpet to dry without removing it. If the padding remains wet it will create a horrible mold problem. You can remove and dry the carpet yourself, but allow an hour or two to remove the carpet, and an hour to reinstall it.
To remove the carpet: Remove the backseats, pull the little screw covers off the back seat bracket covers and remove the screws under them, remove the front seats by removing the 4 big screws holding each of them down (carefully unplug the passenger seatbelt sensor beneath the front passenger seat first), pull the plastic driver foot rest plate, and pull the carpet out from under all the plastic scuff plates and trim plates.
Hang the carpet up in your garage. I draped mine over a horizontal beam with the padding side facing out and set a big fan up under it. It took a day to stop dripping, and 3 more days to dry out the 1 inch thick padding. I then sprayed it with Lysol, Oust, and mold order remover.
We were able to work the carpet back under the plastic scuff and trim plates without removing them, but there are still a few minor wrinkles in it.
Note – I had originally tried drying the carpet while it was in the car by propping up some of the wet areas and sticking hair dryers under it for 2 days. I gave up and removed it.
The official Toyota response was the same: "so sorry – we know of no common problems - please take it to your dealer for repair".
One of the other responders suggested removing the carpet and just driving with the floor mats. This was an excellent suggestion. If the padding is wet and you have to wait for a repair appointment or seal delivery, then remove the carpet and start drying it now.0
mred1976 Posts: 3I have a leak causing passanger floor to be soaked. My mech checked a/c drain and said it was OK . Can't figure out where the water is coming from. Afraid to take it to dealer could cost a fortune at 90 / hr labor. Looking for help. Only on passanger side.0
ateixeira Posts: 72,587On similar cars I've heard people say it was a clogged drain. See if you can find it and then maybe use a pipe cleaner to clear it.0
My leak was fixed when I resealed the rubber housing on the back of the van where the hatch comes down. My friend put some kind of sticky glue on the rubber housing because the rubber was still soft and no replacement needed.
Looks like the water sipped through the rubber housing and and ran down to the floor on the back of the van. Since the van is tilted forward slightly, the water accumulated under the driver's and passenger's carpet.0
beards Posts: 3Sunroofs have a trough under the seal with the roof to catch the inevitable leaks and funnel them down 4 tubes in the corners. Park the car on a slope with the sun roof open and slowly pour water from a jug into the trough to see that two of the drains drain to the opposite sides under the car. Park the opposite direction on the slope and test the other 2 drains. To clean out the offending drain, use the long twisted flexible cable from inside a bicycle hand break cable, make sure there are no protruding wires on the end, and rotate it in the direction so that the wires will not untwist as you slide it through the tube leading from the trough. Use Simple Green or a similar non-corrosive detergent while you rotor-root to help break up the gunk in the tube. When clean, it should drain fast and you should hear it slurp the water from the trough once it gets going.0
jmbuddies Posts: 6Hi Again,
This is to finalize a long history of my 2002 Sienna water leak (I now have traded it by a 2004) so I hope this info to be a help to someone. Just a few days before we did the trade, I brought my van to a body shop and they indicated to me that on the rear hatch door, on the outside was a little rust around the glass trim (bottom) and that could potentially be the culprit. However, I did not have them check it, I really think that was the reason for this leak. For I had many times prior, tested it myself positioning a water hose in various positions and staying inside the van looking for signs of water which I never found, reason being, I never put the hose over the rear glass. So here's is the thing, when placing the hose, try to put it over the van leaning against the rear glass. Again, I did not test this (because I don't have the van anymore) but I am positive that is where water is coming in. Right before you do the water test, remove the chairs, the bottom plastic trim of rear hatch, and pull the plastic plugs and floor covers that hold carpet to the body, then pull carpet from back towards the front. This way you got an open view to better spot any water from inside while hose is running. Please check my other postings where I explained reason that Oxygen sensors and catalitic converters go bad, specially on this van. Believe it or not, related to this very water leak, I think. Like I've said before, I loved this van, very smooth ride, except the water problem, good luck I hope this helps someone.0
berkbob Posts: 1I have a 2004 sienna with moon roof. First I read 67 posts of horror stories about water getting in the rear hatch and finding its way to the passenger floor. But I'm happy to report that the flooding on my passenger side floor was simply a plugged drain line in sun roof. One hour to read the posts, one hour to squirt water over various surfaces of the van, and only 10 minutes to fix the problem, once replicated. If four drain holes are plugged, the water will overflow from the track area into the headliner and down the side of the windshield pillar. As posted elsewhere, open the sunroof, feel with your fingers the small holes in the four corners, carefully stick a semi-flexible wire to clear the blockage. Clean the sunroof track area of accumulated dirt. Run some water down the tubing. Check the track area several times a year for clean holes.0
I've tried to find an answer to this - but I'm either coming up with mystery leaks or references to a 2011 recall, nothing concrete.
I am seriously about to lose my flipping mind over my van.
I'll try to make a long story short. Last summer I had the van open in the driveway to vacuum it out. My son was aiming a squirt gun at the back of the van - door open. I noticed water in the back - where the 3rd row folds into - and I asked him what he was thinking and made him put the squirt gun away. A few days pass and it isn't drying out. And it smells. I decide the water must be leaking in from rain, and my son had nothing to do with it. Take it to the dealer and they say that there are leaves and stuff in the crack/seal of the rear lift gate and that is the problem. It doesn't seem very plausible to me but I don't really have a lot to argue against here. Clean that out, figure that's it, but the smell remains. I try lysol, alcohol, sun - can't get the smell away. My solution is to keep the third row down so at least I can't smell it.
Just had a baby a few weeks ago and now we need to use the rear row. Opened it up and it is VERY wet underneath and smells like an open grave. I go to an independant mechanic and say find the leak - they find it but say since the car is so new, I should go to the dealer. Back to the dealer - this time they find the leak and say it has something to do with a floor seal recall and MAYBE that spare tire recall? The paper work says "floor seals replaced during open recall." Is this the spare tire recall??? I asked if they would cover getting the mildew taken care of since this was a recall issue. They told me to call main Toyota - after some back and forth the dealer agreed to clean it. When I went to go pick it up they were making vague references to "You must have left a window open."
It still stinks. I am now trying to get the dealer to replace the carpet. The customer relations lady is saying this has nothing to do with the recall, this is not our fault, we did everything we can. I told her I had paperwork stating floor seals were replaced and the leak should now be fixed. She was like, OH. Can you fax that over to me?
All I know is, the water was coming from UNDERNEATH my car. All winter. I did NOT leave a window open (under my car?). The car smells so bad that anything left in it for any length of time needs to be washed. I can't leave my stroller in the back or it stinks - even being in there a few hours, it will smell a little. There's no way I could take this car anywhere like on a road trip where things would have to be left in the van overnight. I don't even feel like it's safe to be driving my kids in this van.
Has anyone else had this problem? What exactly is the floor seal recall? And does it pertain to the 2008? Because I am just waiting for their response to be, this paper work doesn't matter, the recall doesn't pertain to your vehicle, this is a mistake.
Worst case scenerio I guess we pay out of pocket to replace the carpet but I don't feel like we should have to do this when the van was leaking from underneath due to no fault of ours.0
I was reading thru a recall notice, and happened to remember the question you posted last month. The floor seal kit is P/N 04000-41145, and is part of the spare tire winch recall. But it is not what you think - it is a set of sponge rubber blocks that help to reduce the amount of salty water that make it up onto the spare tire assembly under the vehicle. It's purpose is to reduce rust to the carrier that sits under the middle seats.0
Hey - thank you for answering! This is actually bad news for me as that means I STILL don't know why my car is leaking. So a week after faxing the paper work showing "floor seals replaced during open recall. This should correct water intrusion" as well as the paper work saying I had the van in last summer for a leak and they couldn't find one I got a phone call and the lady said it was not their fault, they can't replace the carpet, I had to call Toyota. Five minutes later they called back and said they would replace the carpet. NO idea why. So the carpet has been replaced. I asked that they be sure the leak is fixed while the carpet was out - and my van no longer smells - but now I wonder what if it WAS another issue? I know for sure the water was coming from underneath. I did not leave a window open. It seems to be OK now but I don't have the 3rd row folded down so any moisture would dry faster if anything was coming in.
So at this point ... I don't know what to do. Maybe I should take it to another dealer and have it tested for leaks???
The lady at my dealership did say these seals have nothing to do with water leaking in but that was NOT what the service people told me. Hence my confusion. I really don't want a mildewy car again - it was SO gross!!!
Maybe I should sell it while it smells good and be rid of it? LOL Only problem is we have an 8 seater and I HATE the redesign of the 8 seater so I would want a used one... which could put me right back where I am.0
Glad I could help (a little bit...). I understand your frustration. Leaks can drive you crazy, and can be so difficult to trace.
There are a few plastic plugs in the underbody that lead into the seat well area and into the rear quarter panels. If you look at some of the hitch instructions, they show places where you can route the wiring in from outside. I'd start by making sure they are intact.
Next, when it rains, open up the jack door (right side) and make sure that area is dry. It could be a roof leak that finds it's way down thru the "C" or "D" pillar and into the lower body structure. It is possible to remove the large plastic interior piece on the left side to check that side as well.
You will also find the rear AC unit is in the right wall, and there is a condensation drain hose that runs by the jack holder that could be disconnected or leaking.
Any of these could back up water into the interior.0
Thank you so much! I will look into those areas. I am inclined to think the AC is not involved because of how this got so much worse over the winter when I was not using the AC but who knows. Those things sound easy enough to look into. I am also going to take it to another Toyota dealer and have them give it a once over just for reassurance. And in the back of my head I still think "sell the car and run!!!!!!" Trying to come up with some answers to this problem it just seems I came up with stories of SO many mystery water leaks in the Sienna. Coming from the spare tire issue which covered such a LONG period of time, it seemed logical to blame that, but maybe, maybe not. I absolutely love the design of this van vs. the captain's chair models (I like how all 3 middle seats are really reasonable seats and can hold a car seat) but I don't like this mystery leak issue.0
With just two kids, we've held to the 7 seat models. But hey, that's why they've been smart enough to build both.
As far as selling the van, you really need to weigh out all your other positive experiences with it, plus the $$ hit of a short sale. But agree, replacing the carpet is worthless unless you can find and fix the underlying cause - because it will just come back again.
Please, let us know what you find. This way we all advance our body of knowledge. That's the best way of thanking this board for assisting you!0
wickster72 Posts: 1I had the same problem. The rear window on the drivers side had the wrong window seal installed at the factory. Water was leaking around the window onto the floor. Open your rear windows and look at the rubber seal. Mine was drooping and folded under. I hope this helps.0
smb405 Posts: 1I just noticed super wet carpeting on the front driver's and passenger's floor. I pulled up the passenger carpet as far as I could to reveal puddles and a completely soaked "padding." It is also begining to smell musty. What could cause this? I don't notice any obvious leaks around the widows or doors. Thanks.0
I have the same wet floor on my 2001 Sienna. I have to cut out the carpet in the front to dry them (try to use those special blade used by carpet laying guys to make a clean cut).
You should check under the carpet on the back of the van near where the lid shut. if they are wet, like mine was, it meant the black seal where the lid shut against the van is leaking water (at least in my case). Since the rubber seal was still soft, I had it re-sealed (I think it was silicone) and my water problem largely disappeared.
I have the odd wet spot but no puddles.0
The rear power windows on my '99 Toyota Sienna, are both stuck in the open position. Ever since some significant body work was done on it, one window would periodically get stuck open. Eventually they'd work again. Lately it was happening more often, and now they won't budge at all, since about a week ago. (Discovered when I was in line at a local car wash.)
Both windows continue to be stuck. Then yesterday the side power door got stuck just a little bit open and I had to drive with the alarm buzzing. No fun. Got that figured that out finally.
Anyone have some advice on how to get the rear windows to close.
(The body shop that did the work back in 2007 or '08 said there's a lifetime warranty on their work, but to have the windows checked out I'd have to leave the van with them for about a week, which I can't do, as its the only vehicle I have.)0
annexit Posts: 1Has anyone gotten help from Toyota if this is a known problem? I was surprised to hear this may be connected to some error messages - alert lights - I started having problems with error messages before my van was out of warranty (I bought it used and within 1 day had to have the engine replaced -happy to have paid for the warranty) but while they fixed a problem with the door, check engine oxygen detector problem message went away with resetting the error messages. Dampness and mustiness I always attributed to spilt water or windows left open. Steamed sprayed everything I could think of. Recently the smell got much worse and there were actual puddles of water in the front passenger and driver sides -
I am not physically able to removed and replace the carpets and padding and am quite upset that perhaps this problem could have been avoided - but I guess if a sticking gas pedal didnt concern Toyota why a wet carpet? I live just a few miles from where my Sienna was manufactured - any ideas of how to get help with this?
An update on my post from August 3rd, 2011: Nine days after being stuck in the open position, for whatever reason I was able to close the rear windows,
which is how they will remain forever more.0
While updating my post on the rear windows that were stuck open, I saw your message re: water leaking in your Sienna. I had the same problem with my '99 Sienna, in January & February of 2010. I had the wet seats and soaked floor mats too, and originally thought the same thing, that I must have left a window open a little. But then it happened again at a car wash. Turned out to be the black rubber seal around the sun roof window had deteriorated
some and was allowing water in.
At the time I searched some online forums to find an inexpensive solution to the problem. Didn't really find anything, but happily the leaking stopped. Not sure how, it might have just been because I had tucked in some loose rubber trim around the window? (I didn't contact Toyota as my warranty had long since expired.)0
intuitionx Posts: 1If you have a sunroof the drain tubes being clogged will do this. My drivers-side tube clogged, and the floor is soaked. No visible signs of water entry, but a can of compressed air showed clogged. The outlet generally clogs with dirt. You can fish a thin wire down it or find the drain under the car. Bake cable from a bike works well, but be sure the wire is not sharp. The drain tube is thin wall rubber stuff. Use soapy water as a lube. Some use compressed air to blow it out, but this can rupture the "thin" tubing.
The rear door seal leaking can cause it too. The rear padding and carpet would be wet too though.0
owego Posts: 3I have 2006 Sienna with100K miles. A fitting in the radiator has come loose. It's a screw-in bolt in the lower left hand side of the radiator, just above the radiator hose. It's got a "O" ring at it's tip and a hose fitting to the transmission. I'm afraid the female threads in the radiator body must have stripped out, because there is no way the bolt could have just come loose, the hose fitting on it's external would have prevented its turning.
I've tried to screw it back into the radiator, but it just won't catch.
The van is undrivable now due to "open" in the transmission fluid line.
Any suggestions ?0
Update to say after the carpet was replaced it started leaking again. Called another dealer who referred us to a guy called the water doctor. He found the seal around the back was leaking at the bottom - very common - how did they miss this??? sealed that up and gave a one year guarantee. Month later, water again, starting to smell - he came back, carpet was SOAKED, found one of the plastic plugs (grommets) in the underside of the well area was either poorly sealed or never sealed. This is where the whole leak originated - HOW did the dealership miss this??? So over a year later, having been without my car on something like 5 occasions, having carpet replaced, having the dealership TWICE indicate the leak was in some way my fault - I am back at square one, with mildewed smelly carpet. But I THINK the leak is finally fixed. Now I am trying to decide whether or not it is worth the time and effort to even let the dealership know how big a boo boo they made and why they have lost us as customers. We are just one family but we are a two toyota family. ;-)
What a mess!!!0
My husband and I purchased a certified 2008 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD in April 2011. About two weeks ago we noticed that under the third row seat the rug was wet. We contacted Toyota directly and was given a claim number and a case manager. The case manager instructed us to bring the car back to the dealer. The dealer couldn't find a leak so they hired another company that specializes in leaky cars. Today they found the leak. The water was coming from under the car in two areas and also through the 3rd backup light area. They are washing the rug but we did request a new rug. Waiting to see what happens. When we brought the car in for water problem we mentioned about the recall and they said that since this was an XLE it wasn't included in the recall because we don't have a spare tire well. This just show how wrong they can be.0
Wow corporate Toyota never even gave me a case manager. They gave me a claim number and then I never heard anything until I called them back 2 weeks later - and they just told me to call the dealer. Unhappy Toyota owner!!!0
Try getting a case manager assigned to you. Our case manager calls me every week to see how things are going. I forgot to mention that the reason we don't have a spare wheel well is because we have the no flat tire on the car.0
I am not even sure what I would be pushing for at this point. I'm out over $200 trying to get answers, for something that should have been corrected under warranty - it seems like small potatoes, and yet... it's still $200 I shouldn't have had to spend, you know? Plus all the aggrivation and time with out a car etc.0
I think you misunderstood some of what the dealership said to you. Because you have an AWD van, you don't have a spare tire. There was a recall for a cabling system & hoist corrosion problem that some thought was related to how water might get into the interior. That hoist apparatus mounts under the right hand second row seat - but only on FWD models.0
Who do you think misunderstands? Me (the original poster) or the guy who just said he has AWD? My van is not AWD, I have a spare tire. I have paper work stating the faulty floor seals caused the leak - they fixed the floor seals, they replaced the carpet, the leak continued.
In the end the leak was so obvious I don't know how they missed it. I feel stupid because I didn't check but I had no idea how to even get the carpet out and I am not a mechanic so at least I have that to go on. :-)
(editing to say clearly the floor seal issue did not cause the leak, so the paper work is wrong, but I have it! the dealership actually claimed this, this is not a misunderstanding on my part)0
Reread my post. It clearly says "Replying to: Brandybrindy"
and they said that since this was an XLE it wasn't included in the recall because we don't have a spare tire well. This just show how wrong they can be.
Unless you changed your name, you are yelling at the wrong guy. You might look back a few posts and remember that I provided you with a lot of information early on. I'm once again trying to help someone else out who doesn't thoroughly understand the situation, or what they are being told.0


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ORLANDO, Fla. – December 15, 2010 – The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, an equity-based, luxury destination club collection of properties, is proud to have its Ladies and Gentlemen volunteer their time in the local communities through The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's Community Footprints program. The Clubs have collaborated with local organizations and developed programs tailored to their unique destination.
As part of the overall Community Footprints efforts, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. also offers the "Give Back Getaways" program. Working side-by-side with family, friends and the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Members have the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact in the lives of others while focusing on one of the three pillars of the Community Footprints program:
- The Well-Being of Children
- Hunger and Poverty Relief
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"Many Members are actively involved in volunteerism in their own hometowns, but also wish to make a difference where they vacation which often is their home away from home," said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.). "The Ritz-Carlton tradition of extraordinary service extends into our Community Footprints program, a unique program bringing Members and our own Ladies and Gentlemen together to make enduring contributions in our local communities."
A few such Community Footprints efforts include the following:
The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay
Working closely with The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay embraces efforts to preserve the island's flora and fauna by adopting the Kapalua Coastal Trail. Members, along with the Ladies and Gentlemen, partake in this important cause through native seed collection, planting and reforestation. Additionally, the Club has partnered with Lahaina Intermediate School by providing individual and group mentorship, confidence and the tools needed to create and execute their own community service programs.
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The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco is committed to assisting Family House, a local non-profit organization providing temporary housing to families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at the University of California San Francisco's Children's Hospital. Volunteers engage in everything from painting and gardening, to beautifying and cleaning the Family House to make it a warmer home for the children.
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text:
HIV Acquired Lipodystrophy (HAL) Classification, Measurement and Fat Response to Thiazolidinedione (TZD) (Pioglitazone) (HAL)
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01023620
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified December 2009 by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted : December 2, 2009
Last Update Posted : December 2, 2009
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Results Submitted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
This study is being done to better understand why people with HIV who have taken drugs for HIV begin to show abnormal changes in fat loss or fat gain in their bodies. This condition is called lipodystrophy.
Patients who take medicine for HIV and who have lipodystrophy report loss of subcutaneous (sc) fat from the arms, legs, and face and excess fat gain in the neck and truncal region. They also more likely to have problems with insulin in the body, high fat levels in the blood and diabetes. The reason that lipodystrophy develops is not fully understood although some HIV drugs have are very likely the cause. The complications pose an increased risk of fat blockage forming in the arteries making you more at risk for heart problems in the future. Changes in body fat can cause physical discomfort and psychological distress. Management of these problems can be a challenge for the patient's doctor.
The investigators propose data collection to determine if there is more than one reason why this might happen in some people and not in others. Laboratory samples being collected: 1) special imaging of the liver; 2) fat collected by needle from the mid thigh and mid-shoulder areas; 3) blood samples to measure the virus, t-cells, fats, and other markers of how the patient's body is handling the virus.
This study is being done because science does not fully understand why some patients with HIV who take medicines for the virus have abnormal fat loss or gain and some do not. This research study is intended to help us better understand why and how this happens.
|Condition or disease
|HIV Infections
|Drug: Pioglitazone Other: Observation
|Not Applicable
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Estimated Enrollment :
|24 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|None (Open Label)
|Official Title:
|Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquired Lipodystrophy (HAL) Classification, Measurement, & Fat Response to a Thiazolidinedione (TZD) Challenge in Differing Adult Phenotypic Presentations
|Study Start Date :
|October 2009
|Estimated Primary Completion Date :
|December 2010
|Estimated Study Completion Date :
|December 2010
Experimental: Pioglitazone
10 male patients with lipodystrophy taking daily Pioglitazone 45 mg
Drug: Pioglitazone
Participants will take oral Pioglitazone 45 mg daily for 16 weeks.
No Intervention: Observation/Comparison
10 male patients with lipodystrophy not taking daily Pioglitazone
Other: Observation
Participants will be observed for 16 weeks but will not receive drug
- Percent of liver fat pre/post challenge with daily Pioglitazone 45 mg [ Time Frame: 16 weeks ]
- Fine needle aspiration of fat pre/post with daily Pioglitazone 45 mg [ Time Frame: 16 weeks ]
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants must be 18 years of age or older of all racial and ethnic origins, and capable of giving informed consent. Spanish speaking individuals are eligible for participation.
Additionally they must be/have:
- Biologically male (not transgendered)
- HIV positive for at least 24 months,
- On stable HAART for at least the last 3 months prior to entering the study,
- Practitioner diagnosed lipodystrophy as defined by:
aHAL (any of these) decreased subcutaneous fat in the limbs with prominent veins, loss of buttock fat or facial atrophy hHAL: fat accumulation in abdomen and/or dorsocervical region
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants cannot be less than 18 years of age, institutionalized, nor have prior diseases or conditions that may alter body fat composition. Exclusions:
- Females are excluded
- Prior history of CHF
- Prior history of macular retinal edema
- Prior history of spontaneous bone fracture
- Diabetics receiving oral/injected/inhaled diabetic agents or individuals with a fasting blood glucose value greater than or equal to 140 within the last 90 days.
Current active opportunistic infections for example :
- PCP pneumonia
- Neuropathy
- Thrush
- Systemic KS (Kaposi sarcoma)
i) localized cutaneous lesions are not an exclusion e) MAC (Mycobacterium Avium complex) f) Histoplasmosis g) Coccidioidomycosis
- Planning to discontinue HAART
- Current diagnosis of cancer or receiving chemotherapy
- Systemic steroid use during the prior 6 months
- Hepatitis C+ or previous diagnosis of cirrhosis
- Liver Function Studies great than or equal to triple of normal values
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01023620
|Contact: Michael Limerick, RN, PhD
|Contact: Minerva Santos
|United States, Texas
|UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
|Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390-9173
|Sub-Investigator: Philipp Scherer, PhD
|Sub-Investigator: Gary Sinclair, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Mamta K Jain, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Jeffrey Browning, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Maria Ramos-Ramon, MD
|Principal Investigator:
|Michael Limerick, RN, PhD
|UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
|Responsible Party:
|Michael Limerick, RN, PhD Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01023620 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
Takeda IISR - MSA-PIO-028
|First Posted:
|December 2, 2009 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|December 2, 2009
|Last Verified:
|December 2009
Keywords provided by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
HIV Infections
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Lentivirus Infections
Retroviridae Infections
RNA Virus Infections
Virus Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
Immune System Diseases
Slow Virus Diseases
Skin Diseases, Metabolic
Skin Diseases
Lipid Metabolism Disorders
Metabolic Diseases
Hypoglycemic Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs


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You know we love showing you folks what those crafty devs have planned for their apps. That's the case here with Twabbit, yet another solid and recommended Twitter client currently available for Windows Phone. The team is actively working on a Windows Phone 8 update for their client and we figured we would show you what they have going on.
Twabbit is a relative new comer to the Windows Phone Twitter field. It has a minimalist, Metro UI look to it but don't let that fool you as it is packed with features and options. Yes, if you like tinkering with every notification, color for the UI, streaming choices and more then Twabbit is for you. It's really amazing how many things you can manipulate with this client and hey, if you don't want to you could just leave it on the basic settings and still have a blast.
So what does the Windows Phone 8 version pack? Glad you asked:
- Support for double wide, small and medium tiles with live tile notifications
- Support for fast resume (currently supported only on the main time line page, other pages are in progress)
- Support for lock screen notifications + billboard
- Support for voice commands through TellMe
And no, the version you see in the video is not the final one as the team still wants to clean up the UI a bit more and move some things around.
As you'll see from our video below, one of the selling points for Twabbit (besides the feature set) is speed. We've found the "Compose" Tile to be one of the fastest if not thee fastest to launch for Windows Phone. That's partially do to the fact that the app doesn't load up your Twitter stream in the background and we like that—fast and to the point. You're in and you're out.
To get yourself acquainted with Twabbit for Windows Phone 8, why not go try the current version on the Store to see if you likey? You get a free trial for the app, which otherwise will fetch you the fair price of $1.49. Pick it up here and we'll let you know when that Windows Phone 8 version goes live.


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#Packers TE Jermichael Finley continues to undergo tests but isn't expected to need surgery. Word so far all sounds positive.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 21, 2013
Feel like we need some good news so here goes: Packers TE Jermichael Finley did some walking around this morning. Great to hear.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 21, 2013
- Like Like
- 0 points


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Discussions at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju Korea included an extremely vibrant debate on World Heritage, with no less than eighteen different events.
The IUCN Congress also adopted two motions on World Heritage. A key event on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary was a workshop - "The World Heritage Convention at 40: Engaging the IUCN constituency for conservation and communities"
Over 100 delegates attended representing many government and organisational members of IUCN and IUCN Commission members. Penelope Figgis, Director of the Australian Committee for IUCN chaired this session.
Among speakers at the session were Tim Badman , head of World Heritage for the IUCN, Gonzalo Oviedo, Senior Adviser for Social Policy at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Harald Lossack working as Head of Competence Center "Biodiversity, Forests, Natural Resources" at GIZ Headquarters, Jessica Brown working with UNDP/GEF Small Grants Pro¬gramme on its Community Management of Protected Areas for Conservation (COMPACT) initiative, which is assisting communities in many World Heritage Areas and Alec Marr the former Executive Director of the Australian Wilderness Society who has been centrally involved in campaigns to protect and champion World Heritage and who is a formation member of World Heritage watch an NGO body to monitor World Heritage processes.
The meeting concluded with an attempt to draw out consensus points to be conveyed to key bodies associated with the Convention. These points have been compiled and sent to the Director General to with a request that IUCN disseminate these views to other parties at both the forthcoming Paris and Kyoto meetings.
What was clear among those who care profoundly about World Heritage is that there are concerns about the state of play, concerns which go to the long term credibility of the Convention. The problems are multifaceted; from the lack of capacity or will which leads to increased 'in danger' designations; to the increasing pressures from many threats, which beset even well managed sites; to the lack of proactive assistance to State parties; to internal issues within the Committee which hold the potential to lower the rigour of assessment and therefore potentially harm the critical 'brand' of World Heritage.
The meeting called upon the World Heritage Committee to ensure all processes are consistently and rigorously in compliance with the Operational Guidelines and transparent to the wider community, and ensure that the advice of IUCN and ICOMOS is treated with due respect. The meeting also supported initiatives resulting from the World Heritage NGO forum in St Petersburg in 2012 to establish an international network of NGOs to safeguard the integrity and implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
For more information contact: [email protected]


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Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Valentine, Irish anatomist and surgeon, 1800-1847. See: Flood ligament.
1. Synonym(s): flooding (1)
2. Colloquialism for a profuse menstrual discharge. Synonym(s): flooding (2)
[A.S. flōd]
Public health aspects of floods
Immediate Poor access to potable water, food, medication, hypothermia, drowning
Clean-up phase Exposure to sewage, sharp jagged debris, biological hazards in flood water, exposed and 'live' electrical lines, body fluid pathogens, carbon monoxide, musculoskeletal hazards, heat or cold stress, motor vehicle-related dangers, fire, drowning, and hazardous materials
Clean-up protection clothing Hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, life jackets, watertight boots with steel toes and insoles
1. To bleed profusely from the uterus, as after childbirth or in cases of menorrhagia.
2. Colloquialism for a profuse menstrual discharge.
[A.S. flōd]
natural disaster important in the spread of animal disease and insects and disruption of quarantine areas.
flood fever
see leptospirosis.
flood plain staggers
Australian (north-western New South Wales) syndrome caused by tunicaminyluracils produced in seedhead galls on Agrostis avenacea, the galls produced by Anguina funesta (grass nematodes) and infected by Clavibacter toxicus. Clinically the disease is characterized by convulsions precipitated by driving and often death during the convulsion. Hypermetric ataxia is characteristic in less severe cases. Cattle are most affected, sheep and horses less frequently.


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By Andrew Gahwiler, sports infomration student assitant
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College golf team earned a No. 11 ranking in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches' Association of America (GCAA) Division II National Poll and No. 12 in the Golfstat Head-to-Head Rankings.
The Golfstat Head-to-Head Ranking has the Bobcats holding No. 12 making them the third-best team in the PBC behind No. 3 USC-Aiken and No. 10 Columbus State. Taking top two ranking in the Golfstat Head-to-head rankings is No. 1 Nova Southeastern University and No. 2 Barry University.
GC Golf will be back in action March 11 in Valdosta, Ga. where they will be competing in the Southeastern Intercollegiate.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
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Fans can send Reds back to All-Star Game
The Reds were represented on the National League All-Star team last year with two starters in first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips. Can Cincinnati have even more representation in 2014? It's up to the fans to decide.
Major League Baseball released the All-Star ballots on Friday, thus beginning the opportunity for eight Reds players to get elected.
The Reds were represented on the National League All-Star team last year with two starters in first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips. Can Cincinnati have even more representation in 2014? It's up to the fans to decide.
Major League Baseball released the All-Star ballots on Friday, thus beginning the opportunity for eight Reds players to get elected.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 14.
The 2014 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.
The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
In 2013, Votto received 5,128,515 votes, which beat second-place candidate Paul Goldschmidt of the D-backs by 4,269,685 votes. Phillips received 4,799,417 votes, which bested the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter, who received 4,337,408 votes.
The most dynamic new Reds name on the ballot this year will be rookie center fielder Billy Hamilton, who would certainly add some exciting speed to the NL squad if he were somehow elected by fans.
Also on the ballot this year for the Reds is two-time All-Star right fielder Jay Bruce, catcher Devin Mesoraco, shortstop Zack Cozart, third baseman Todd Frazier and left fielder Ryan Ludwick.
In-stadium ballots at Great American Ball Park will be available to fans from May 2-June 20.
Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon.


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Just out of curiosity, The Secret in Practical Mental Effects requires a hard to find chemical. Although I've handled this chemical before, there are few websites that sell it to purchasers without a liscense. I especially like this handling as I think it is a performing style I could get behind and leaves a lot of room for atmosphere and drama. Have any of you out there found an alternative route of presentation and materials used?
Any helpful info is appreciated!


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Fun, interactive sessions that teach children about the importance of breath, connection to their body, positive affirmations, guided meditations and group creativity. All classes are small and intimate allowing for genuine caring connections to be made. Everything we do in class can be taken home and applied in the child's day to day life.
Classes are small. Cost is $20 per class paid in advance per term.
Classes held during VIC school terms only


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This will be an updated thread on players i and others recommend to buy but please read the little note below.
Im not 100% sure on the player logic but i would assume that not all players will turn out the same on different saves or for other people, but they might still turn out decent.
Luc Castaignos(FC) - FC Twente(Always bagging in goals for me at FC Twente)
Patrick Roberts(MR) - Fulham(Wonderkid who provides assists and has speed)
Giorgio Rasulo(FC) - MK Dons(Wonderkid) - Recommended by Skym93
Serge Gnabry(Winger) - Arsenal(Don't know much about him) - Recommended by Skym93
Recommended by WillTunechi
Carlos Bueno - Pos: ST - Nat: URU - (Scores a lot of goals). Team skills 55~68
Nicolás Vélez - Pos: ST - Nat: ARG - (Score some goals and assists). Team Skills 40 - 62
Bruno Fornaroli - Pos: ST - Nat: URU - (Scores a lot of goals). Team skills 50~65
Andre Gray - Pos: ST - Nat: ENG - (Scores a lot of goals). Team skills 57~70
Carlos Sanchez - Pos: MR. AMR - Nat: URU - (Make a lot of assists). Team skills 62~74
Ivan Moreno - Pos: AM. AMR - Nat: ARG - (Make a lot of assists). Team skills 65~75
Kleber- Pos: ST - Nat: BRA - TEAM: Beijing Guoan - (Scores a lot of goals). Team skills 60~74
Jordan Slew - Pos: ST - Nat: ENG - Scores a lots of goals for lower league teams.
- Olivier Ntcham (Man city, loaned to Genoa). All round midfielder. Performs much better than his profile suggests.
- Hector Bellerin (Arsenal first team right back, holds the informal sprint record for the club)
- Ezequiel Ponce (just joined Roma, already good reputation as a finisher from Argentine league)
Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam Attacking Midfielder. He could make a goal and assist)
Davie Selke (RB Leipzig striker. Made a lot of goal. A decent finisher)


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Fascinating Fossils and Rattling Rocks in Waitaki
Touring the Vanished World Trail allows stops to enjoy a variety of scenery, a wide range of geology and to discover what is hidden in our rocks.
Vanished World Incorporated and the Department of Geology, University of Otago developed the Vanished World Trail from beach to mountains to showcase the spectacular geology and fossils of the Waitaki District.
The Fossil and Geology museum at Duntroon explains the geology and tells the story of our fossil record. It focuses on the origins of New Zealand and the evolution of our penguins, dolphins, seals and whales.
Here you can try extracting a fossil in our "Dig a Fossil" room.
Information Boards at Moeraki Boulders car park, Waianakarua Bridge opposite Mill House, Oamaru's Lookout, The Blue Penguin Colony and Duntroon, 36kms up SH83 towards Kurow, give directions and information for your trip into Deep Time.
Trail Guide brochures are available at Oamaru I-site, Vanished World Museum and Dunedin's I-site and Museum of Otago.


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Product Details
Show off this year's best style in strappy high-heel ankle boots by Journee Collection. These high-heel booties highlight soft faux suede straps that overlap and rise right to the ankles.
Product Reviews
Shipping & Returns
Returns Policy
We understand that sometimes things don't work out. In the event that you wish to return or exchange your purchase, the customer is responsible to pay all costs to return the item due to item not fitting, change of mind, or incorrect ordering. Journee Collection will cover return shipping charged for damaged/defective items and incorrect shipments. Please contact [email protected] if your item is damaged/defective. Return requests must be made within two weeks (14 days) after the arrival of your purchase. Your item must be returned to us UNWORN, and in the ORIGINAL shoe box for a full refund.
All orders are shipped from our warehouse within 48 hours of your purchase. Depending on your location, standard shipping can take between 4-10 business days.


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Publishing Holding
A good book is always a good a book
Líra Könyv Zrt. (Líra Books Corporation) is committed to the highest standards in book publishing and sales. Modern technological achievements continue to perpetuate the expansion and impact of the Gutenberg Galaxy. Historically, the written word has developed simultaneously with the gradual progress from agricultural to industrial and consumer societies. As literacy spread, books became everyday articles of consumption. This growth trend will certainly continue to increase in our knowledge-based society. It is good to read. Newspapers, e-mails and confidential documents may be useful to read. Reading books, however, is not only useful, but also edifying.
Dr. Tamás Kolosi
The Líra Books Corporation


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You don't have to be an accredited laboratory technician to look at Khloe Kardashian and say, "hey, that eight-foot tall white monster lady doesn't look anything like her four-foot tall Armenian princess sisters", but thanks to some combination of X needing money and Y needing to stay in the tabloids, it's official: According to a report from Radar Online by way of Star magazine, Khloe Kardashian is not a Kardashian, and patriarch Robert took a "well, duh" approach in explaining where she came from.
"Khloe is not his kid — he told me that after we got married," Jan Ashley, 63, the woman who married Robert after Kris Jenner, revealed to Star.
"He just kind of looked at me and said [it] like it was a matter of fact. He said, 'Well, you know that Khloe's not really a Kardashian, don't you?' And I said…'OK,' and that was it."
As godawful and deserving of a casting into pits as the Kardashians are, you've got to feel sorry for a woman when the news story of the day is, "yeah, she isn't real, but we didn't want to be embarrassed so whatever". It gets worse for her, too … she isn't adopted or a daughter from a previous marriage who got shuffled into the group like so much Jan Brady. Khloe is a Kris Jenner lovechild.
Ellen Kardashian, 63, married Robert in 2003 just two months before his death, after dating for nearly six years — and she has also come forward after eight years of silence to "tell the truth" about the Kardashian family.
"Robert did question the fact that Khloe was his," Ellen said. "Any normal man would if they knew their wife had cheated on him … [but] he never would have considered a DNA test," Ellen concluded. "He loved her very much."
"But I don't give a sh*t about them," she added. "So here's all their garbage."
Khloe has already taken to Twitter to defend herself, because what's she supposed to do, wait for Lamar Odom to do it?:
Robert Kardashian's reaction to the news is on the next page.


text: Viewin the Equipment section. A large set of pictures of various digital home kitchen and computer equipment On our site you will find a large number of the best collections of photos in excellent quality. You can easily find you interesting and desired pictures and can download them for free.


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Going fourth: South America, Europe to face off in already memorable World Cup
The 2014 World Cup has a week to go, and already it is loaded with images that will be engrained in soccer fans' minds for quite some time — Spain, England and Italy packing up early; disgraced Uruguayan star Luis Suarez suspended for biting; Mexican coach Miguel Herrera's sideline celebrations; Colombian players salsa dancing; U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard's 16 saves against Belgium; the lovable, resilient Ticos of Costa Rica.
And, most painful for the host Brazilians, national hero Neymar being carted off the field with a fractured vertabra.
Twenty-eight teams are gone. Four remain standing, all heavyweights, and they face off Tuesday and Wednesday in the semifinals:
Brazil vs. Germany in Belo Horizonte. Argentina vs. the Netherlands in Sao Paulo. South America vs. Europe for two spots in Sunday's final at historic Estadio Maracana.
Of the four semifinalists, the Netherlands is the only team which has never won the World Cup. But the Dutch have come close. Very close. This is the fifth time they have reached the semis (1974, 1978, 1998, 2010 and 2014). Four years ago, they made it to the final but lost to Spain 1-0.
Brazil is a five-time champion and the overwhelming hometown favorite, although it has not cruised thus far, and things will be even tougher without Neymar and suspended captain Thiago Silva. The last time Brazil hosted a World Cup was in 1950 when the team reached the final but was upset by Uruguay in a match that still haunts Brazilians 64 years later. That loss was nicknamed "Maracanazo," and it is considered a national tragedy the current team is determined to avenge.
Germany has advanced to 10 of the past 13 semifinals, including the past four, but has made just one final since winning the title in 1990, when Jurgen Klinsmann was the star of the team. The Germans lost their past two semifinals to eventual champions, against Italy in 2006 and Spain in 2010. The team is determined to take it a step further here.
Argentina, with superstar Lionel Messi finally playing up to his reputation at a World Cup, has reached its first semifinal in 24 years. Hard to believe it's been that long since the Albicelete got this far, but it's true. Like Brazil, Argentina will be missing a key player in midfielder Angel di Maria, who tore his right thigh muscle in the victory over Belgium.
The Argentina-Netherlands semifinal is a rematch of the 1978 final, which was won by Argentina. And the Brazil-Germany semifinal is a rematch of the 2002 final, which was won by Brazil.
Here is a closer look at the World Cup's Final Four:
Germany has a history of being organized, tough and clinical, and this time is no different. It all starts in the back with Manuel Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers in the sport. The Germans boast one of the best defenses in the World Cup — just ask Portugal, Team USA and France — with Mats Hummels and Philipp Lahm leading the way.
The German attack centers around playmaker Mesut Ozil and forward Thomas Muller, who could prove particularly dangerous against a Brazilian defense that has looked shaky at times.
Brazil's offense will be missing Neymar, but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said he is optimistic that other players can fill in nicely.
"We have good players like Willian, Ramires and Bernard who can play in the flanks, with Oscar in the more central role. We have options," Scolari said.
Willian, an attacking midfielder, plays for Chelsea and has a tireless work rate up and down the wings. Silva will likely be replaced by Dante, and veterans Maicon and Marcelo will be counted on to stop Germany's attack.
The Netherlands needed penalty kicks to get past Costa Rica, but the Dutch have looked very impressive during the tournament. They have scored more goals than any other team (12), including five against defending champion Spain. Arjen Robben has been spectacular, running and dribbling with a pace that's hard to match. Robin van Persie got the Dutch scoring going in the opening match with a jaw-dropping header from distance, and he has been a handful for every opponent.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has proven he is one of the boldest leaders by making moves such as changing goalkeepers just before penalty kicks against Costa Rica. It will be interesting to see what strategy he employs to stifle Argentina's lethal attackers, who include Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.
Four years ago, Messi and his Argentine teammates were embarrassed by a 4-0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals. They look a lot more comfortable playing in their home continent, and many experts are predicting Messi will finally get the one prize missing from his résumé.
"We are close to something very big," Messi said after Saturday's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Belgium. "We have fulfilled our first goal to get in the [final] four. Hopefully, we go even further. It was exciting at the final whistle. It's a joy to give this happiness to the Argentine people. [We] will continue fighting for this dream."
This is the fifth time the World Cup is being held on South American soil. A South American team has won the previous four times — Uruguay in Uruguay in 1930, Uruguay in Brazil in 1950, Brazil in Chile in 1962 and Argentina in Argentina in 1978. Will the trend continue? Brazilians and Argentines are banking on it.