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Fee Assessment
Fees for coursework vary due to the student's residency standing, undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate school status, hours and term of enrollment and the applicability of any special fees. The total per credit hour fee rate commonly consists of the Educational fee, Information Technology Fee, Student Facility, Activity, & Health Fee and any special course fees or parking permit fees. Detailed Information on fees and residency status can be found on the Cashier's website.
Financial Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the student that fees and other financial obligations are paid as they become due regardless of who is making the payments. Students who need assistance in meeting financial obligations to the University should contact the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner. Students are expected to check their University e-mail and review and understand their monthly billing statements regularly. Students are expected to adhere to important dates and policies that impact fees. Billing due dates, and fee reassessment dates are posted on the Cashier's website and through links on the eBill website. The non-payment of any financial obligation may result in additional collection fees, the inability to register and the withholding of student records.
Billing Notification
Every month, an email is sent to the (umsl.edu) email address notifying students that a bill has been generated and is ready for viewing. Any authorized payers that the student has set up on eBill will also receive a notification email. To change your notification preference log on to eBill and select the User Preferences option.
Through the MyView student system, students can access real-time detailed account and billing information, manage direct deposit and eBill user profiles, view their statement history and make a payment through one convenient location in the Self Service Student Center. The Student Center provides these features and even more drill-down capability, filters and self-help as well as greater access to information to enable and enhance the educational experience.
Payment of Fees
The Cashier's office offers several payment options, including a minimum monthly payment. The minimum payment can be found at the top of the monthly billing statement or by checking the percentage due as shown in the cancellation/financial hold timeline on the Cashier's website. If a student chooses to make the minimum payment or a partial payment, a finance charge of 1% of the Adjusted Amount Due will be assessed. The monthly 1% finance charge can be avoided by paying the balance in full.
The payment due date is the first day of each month. Student accounts will be subject to a $10 late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on the monthly billing statement. All fees, fines, bookstore charges, etc. must be paid by the last day of the term. After the semester ends, unpaid accounts will be turned over to an outside collection agency. Collection agency fees of up to 50% of the unpaid account balance will be added to the students account. Student accounts must be paid in full before a student will be permitted to register for upcoming semesters, receive transcripts or receive a diploma.
Payment Options
- Online – Visit ebill to make payment using a personal checking or savings account or a MasterCard or Discover credit card. (2.75% service charge applied to credit card payments)
- Automated Payments – you may choose to have the minimum payment, or billed balance due deducted from your checking, savings or credit card each month. (2.75% fee applies to all credit card payments)
- Mail – send your check to the address on your billing statement. Include your name & student #.
- In person – visit the Cashier's office at 285 Millennium Student Center. Payment in cash, check, money order or pin based MasterCard or VISA debit are accepted at the cashier stations. (No credit cards)
- Payment Kiosks – Payment from a personal checking or savings account or by MasterCard or Discover credit card can be made at any of the four payment kiosks located in the MSC. (2.75% service charge applied to credit card payments)
- Payment Drop Box – A secure payment drop box is situated just outside the Cashier's office, room 285 of the Millennium Student Center. Only Check or money order payments please.
Any check presented to the University for payment which is returned unpaid will be assessed a $20.00 return check fee.
Fee Reassessment
Students who are leaving school or dropping classes are responsible for canceling their registration and verifying that all of their classes have been dropped. Any refunding of fees will be made according to the Reassessment Schedule available on the Cashier's web page. The refund process requires two (2) to four (4) weeks processing time after withdrawal or dropped classes. Charges that students accrue prior to a refund being issued will be deducted from the refund amount. Charges that are accrued after a refund is issued will be billed to the student on the monthly billing statement.
Fees May Change Without Notice
The University reserves the right to modify by increase or decrease the fees charged for attendance and other services at the University, including but not limited to educational fees, at any time when in the discretion of the governing board the same is in the best interest of the University, provided that no increases can or will be effective unless approved by the governing board not less than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the academic term (semester, etc.) to which the fees are applicable, with all modification of fees to be effective irrespective as to whether fees have or have not been paid by or on behalf of a student prior to the effective date of the modification.


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Member Meetings
The links below, when active, will take you to our members' forum or working group areas and details of member sessions which will run concurrently with, or after, the conference.
If these sessions are 'open' you are welcome to attend them, depending upon the conference pass you purchase (see Fees). If you do, please ensure that you indicate which ones you will be attending, in the Sessions section of the online registration form.
- ArchiMate® Forum
- Architecture Forum
- QLM Open Meeting
- Real-time and Embedded Systems Forum
- Security & Jericho Forums
- Semantic Interoperability and UDEF
- Trusted Technology Forum (OTTF)
- Cloud Computing

subset: commoncrawl


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|June 11, 2002, 08:06 PM
Join Date: December 10, 2001
Posts: 28
End of Spring Offer
Previously Rich has allowed us to post offers to members of TFL and he has once again been generous to give us the go ahead with this.
With The ProShop coming back on line we've decided to help kick it off, in addition to a way of saying thanks to our customers, with the following offer.
From now through the first day of Summer (Midnight, Friday, 21 June) any orders received equal to or greater then ( = > ) $100.00 all shipping charges will be waived.
In addition to the free shipping, Triton ProShop with throw in another box of ammunition. The free box of ammunition will be of a caliber ordered (our choice if numerous calibers are received on the order).
Visit The ProShop to take advantage of this offer.
|Thread Tools
|Search this Thread


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Lawnmower & Garden Machinery Sales, Service & Repair in Cumbria
Garden Trader helps you find a local dealer for your garden machinery. Be it a lawnmower, chainsaw or if your machinery needs a service, Garden Trader show you which dealer has the expertise you're looking for, saving you time & helping you get it right.
You can find help for:
- Lawnmower sales
- Lawnmower repairs
- Lawnmower servicing
Lloyd Lawn & Leisure (Carlisle)
Lloyd Ltd (Penrith)
Follow Us
Rate a dealer
Once you have used our services and found your nearest dealer we would welcome you to rate the dealer using our marks out of 10 system or leave a review.


text:
Firms Flood Bond Market to Finance Payouts
Low interest rates have lured companies to borrow record amounts in the bond market this year. But a year-end spurt of bond sales has been tied to a different incentive: minimizing taxes.
From Carnival Corp. to Costco Wholesale Corp., companies are rushing into the bond markets to help finance special dividends for shareholders ahead of an expected increase in dividend taxes, analysts said.


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Text Size Large SizeMedium SizeSmall Size Color Scheme Black SchemeWhite SchemeGrey SchemePaper Scheme
Alone Again
"It was only a matter of time--and not much of it--before i showed up at your window and begged you to take me back. I'd be happy to beg now, if you'd like."--New Moon, chp. 23 Alternate approach to New moon--What if Alice didn't see Bella jump?
Ok, just FYI, this is in Bella's point of view the night after she jumps. Alice didn't see Bella jump, so she doesn't come.... I am curious to see the kind of responses i will get from this...
1. Chapter 1
Rating 4.5/5 Word Count 448 Review this Chapter
I laid down beneath the quilt that covered the bed, contemplating Harry Clearwater's death. It was truly sad, but I only thought about it to prevent my mind from returning to the subject I most dreaded.
After Jacob drove me home, he had gotten an urgent message from Sam saying that they had a lead on Victoria, and he had to go. Hours later, I had gotten a message that destroyed my possible chances of breaking my numbness.
"Bella?" Jacob said into the phone. His husky, familiar voice was wrung with despair and I furrowed my brow.
"We got a lead on Victoria. A big one." He said. Well good for him! But then why did he sound so sad?
"That's good…right?" I asked.
"Umm…yes…but, Bella…we are following her to Canada. This might take longer then I'd thought." He said, searching for words. I started. How long?
"Exactly how long is that?" I asked, but it didn't matter. I was already panicking inside—the ghastly hole in my chest searing at the edges. Any time away from Jacob was too long—he was the only thing that kept the numbness away. Without him, I was in danger of retreating back into my shell.
"It could be weeks…or months, depending on how long it takes." He said slowly, gauging my reaction. I did my best to keep calm, but I couldn't completely hide the panicked edge to my voice and I am sure he heard.
"Weeks?" I asked, my voice breaking.
"Uhh…possibly." He said. "Bella, I have to go. I will call you tomorrow. Goodbye."
And the line went dead.
End flashback
The tears flowed quickly now, flooding my eyes and spilling over and down my cheeks. How could Jacob do this to me? Even if it was only a couple weeks—Jacob was my sole reason for existence. He was my light, my warmth—the sword that kept the numbness away. I was in serious danger of going back into my shell without him. First E-Edward, I thought, choking on his name,now Jacob?How much more can my heart take before the hole threatens to rip through my chest? I buried my head in the quilt and summoned sleep, wishing more then anything for unconsciousness to claim me. But instead, my mind just brought up pictures of Jacob's smiling face, followed by Edward's—a slideshow of heartbreak before my very eyes.
A noise near the window sent my head flying up—but there was nothing there. I did see one thing though—just before it disappeared into the night.
A flash of bronze-colored hair.
- Author
- twilightaholic
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text: We Want Your Picture! Just send us your collections of pictures and we'll pay you RM0.20 for each photo appear on koleksigadismelayuseksi.co.cc. You have two types of payment to choose. One, via mobile prepaid topup. Second, via direct banking. Any type of payment need RM5 as minimum payout. Send it now to email@example.com or by the form below..


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1997 Saturn SC 1 1.9 liter 4 cylinder from North America
This is a durable, reliable, and economical vehicle
Nothing so far for me.
When I bought it, it had:
Torn headliner.
Stereo failed.
Rust spots on hood.
Window column's black paint is chipping.
No mechanical problems.
General Comments:
This is my first car. I bought it for $1200 from my uncle. He was the first owner, and he bought it new. When he purchased this car, he got free oil changes for the entire life of the car every 3,000 miles. I live in Northern Indiana, around the Notre Dame campus. In my area, we have very harsh winters on cars. I got it from St. Louis. My stepdad is a mechanic, and he said he had never seen a car in that good of shape mechanically in correlation to its age. The car gets great fuel economy. I am averaging 27-30 MPG in the city. Do not use the performance button; it wastes gas!
My headliner is ripped, because my uncle was moving with the car, and some of his furniture ripped the headliner and the felt on the sun visor. The black paint on the window column's (the part that connects the body to the roof) paint is chipping (this is pretty common on GM cars, especially the Pontiac Sunfire). I also have some minor rust spots on my hood from extensive highway driving and the rock chips that go with it. The factory stereo failed, and my aunt replaced it with a Kenwood aftermarket stereo for my uncle's birthday.
The car has never had mechanical problems. It has gotten an oil change and tune up every 3,000 miles. The people who complain about mechanical problems on this car are the ones that abuse it. If taken care of, it can last forever. Thanks for reading!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th March, 2013


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Most doctors or hospitals will file your claim for you. Discuss filing arrangements
with your healthcare provider. Be sure the healthcare provider has your most current
insurance information. Showing a copy of your ID card, while not a guarantee of
benefits, will assist the healthcare provider in completing the claim form properly.
The Schedule of Benefits mailed to you with your ID card has helpful general information.
You can file a claim when a healthcare provider is not filing the claim for you.
Links to forms are provided below or contact your local Arkansas Blue Cross office
for a claim form or call the number on the back of your ID Card. Instructions for
filing are on the back of the claim form. All bills should be itemized, submitted
on the healthcare provider's invoice or stationary and attached to the claim form.
A separate form must be submitted for each patient.
Coinsurance — All charges will be subject to your yearly deductible
and coinsurance. Both the doctor and hospital will prepare an estimate and ask you
to pay a specified amount, based on that estimate. All financial arrangements are
made between the healthcare providers and insured, so please discuss this with
your doctor and hospital. They will want to help you.
Deductible — Deductibles are applied on a calendar-year basis and will
be applied on eligible services (including maternity care and delivery) until the
deductible has been met.
If a claim for payment is denied, the member must ask for an appeal in writing within
180 days after notification of the denial of benefits. Please send your request
Submit issues and comments as well as any additional information relevant to your
claim with your request for appeal. A complete review will be made of all information.
You will receive a final decision in writing within 60 days after your request is
received unless special circumstances require extensive review. For any assistance,
please call the Customer Service number that appears on your ID card.
If you have additional health insurance coverage, a decision must be made as to
which coverage is responsible for primary payment. Please complete the coordination
of benefits questionnaire or call the Customer Service number that appears on your
ID card.
If the family member is not on the policy, information cannot be obtained. If you
would like someone else to obtain information on your policy or speak on your behalf,
you can complete an Authorization for Release Form [pdf, 600 KB].
Since you have Medicaid, you no longer need Medi-Pak because Medicaid covers what
Medi-Pak covers. You have the option of suspending your Medi-Pak policy for 24 months
if certain criteria are met. You have up to 90 days from the date of notification
of Medicaid eligibility to contact Arkansas Blue Cross requesting to suspend your
Medi-Pak policy. You must also put this request in writing including your policy
number, your signature and the date you sign the request.
If 90 days has passed since you were notified of Medicaid eligibility, your only
option is to cancel the policy in writing or by non-payment of premium.
Gastric Bypass and Organ Transplants
Gastric bypass procedures and organ transplants (except for cornea or kidney transplant
procedures) require prior approval. Prior Approval is a request from a physician
for the approval of a proposed hospitalization, a surgical procedure or a medical
treatment. To obtain prior approval, please have your healthcare provider send
a written request to:
Consult your benefit booklet or contact the Customer Service number on your ID card
to determine if you are subject to precertification or pre-notification prior to
certain medical services.
Preadmission certification or precertification is a process where a member
must call and receive prior approval for an admission into any hospital. Arkansas
Blue Cross no longer requires preadmission certification.
Pre-notification is a process where a member should call in prior to admission
to an out-of-network hospital facility or a hospital outside the state of Arkansas
to alert us of the admission. Pre-notification provides information helping to determine
if case management would be an appropriate option for the member.
Pre-notification is not required for outpatient treatment or any in-state, in-network
inpatient admissions.
If your inpatient admission does not fall within the described exceptions previously
mentioned, your policy may require pre-notification. If you are an FEP or BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas member, your admitting physician, or the hospital would
need to contact Integrated Health, the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield pre-notification
vendor, by calling 1-800-451-7302. All other members should contact
Customer Service.
Prior authorization is a review prior to the time a specified procedure is
scheduled. This review consists of checking clinical documentation to verify the
medical necessity for the procedure. National Imaging Associates (NIA) and New Directions
based on medical guidelines from Arkansas Blue Cross conduct the review. A prior
authorization is required for each different procedure, even if those procedures
are performed on the same day. Failure to obtain prior authorization will result
in denial of the claim.
Procedures requiring prior authorization:
NIA — Specified high tech radiology procedures, MRIs, CTs, PET scans,
and nuclear cardiology, must have prior authorization. Inpatient services, emergency
room services and observation room services are not subject to this review.
New Directions (Still applies if insurance is secondary payor) —
For any assistance, call the Customer Service number that appears on your ID card.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is licensed to offer health plans in all 75 counties of Arkansas.
Copyright © 2001-2018 Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield


text:
Take a first look at Wii U's new Google Apps map.
Another app I will only be using on my computer not my console
I have it on my phone (which is a good place to have it as its outside with me) why would I want this on my Wii u. its not really a bad thing but its not exactly good neither just meh. atleast if I get lost at home I can find where I am.


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Osteosarcoma in Pit Bulls
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
I am a small animal vet who is currently working up potential bone cancer in a pit bull. What are the incidences of osteosarcoma in pit bulls? The owners found something on the Internet about using tetracycline to treat osteosarcomas, while I have never heard of this treatment. I was wondering if there was any new research I am not aware of? Thank you.
Lili Duda, VMD, Section Editor of the OncoLink Veterinary Oncology Menu, responds:
The current incidence of osteosarcoma in "pit bull" type dogs is currently unknown. Coincidentally, however, this information is currently being compiled and will be posted on OncoLink's veterinary site within the next few months. In general, while any dog can develop osteosarcoma, it is much more common in large and giant breed dogs.
Regarding tetracyclines in the treatment of cancer, there was some research done within the past 5 years or so. It was primarily studying the effects of tetracyclines on prevention of tumor metastases to bone, rather than treatment of primary bone tumors. The rationale is based on the tetracycline class of drugs' ability to inhibit connective tissue breakdown via inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, there have been no conclusive studies showing that inhibition of MMPs, by tetracyclines or by other drugs, has had a significant and reliable anti-cancer effect.


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PC » Sports » Individual » Nature » Hunting
Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Season
This year's installment in Cabela's Deer Hunt series offers a new adventure with 18 action-packed missions, numerous deer models, private game ranches, authentic Cabela's gear, and four vehicle types. Now you can hunt nine different deer species, including exotic and rare deer, in 27 expansive areas across North America. Also, for the first time in the Cabela's Deer Hunt series, you can participate in trap, skeet, and sporting-clay shooting events. Before you head out for the hunt, be sure to equip yourself with any combination of Cabela's equipment.
Release Date: September 3, 2004
Also on...
More Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Season
More from GameSpot


text:
Many years ago, the legendary Jake E Lee quietly rode off into the sunset after an amazing career with Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands, preferring to live a life out of the spotlight.
Now, with a new band – Red Dragon Cartel – and a new white Charvel signature guitar, Lee is back. Twenty years was certainly a long time to wait, but perhaps that's what made Thursday night's debut concert at Whisky A Go Go so special.
Fans packed the Hollywood landmark eager to see the wild-haired guitarist do his thing, with the crowd growing after each opening act completed their brief sets.
By the time the clock struck 11, Eddie Trunk, the influential hard rock and heavy metal radio personality (and host of VH1 Classic's That Metal Show), walked out on stage to introduce Lee. Trunk told the story of how he worked for years to not only seek out Lee, but also book him on That Metal Show, first as guest guitarist, and finally as a member of the rock-talk roundtable.
Eventually, around 11:30 p.m., it was time. Descending the Whisky's stairs from the dressing room to wild applause, Lee unbound the topknot in his long hair, acknowledged the audience with an appreciative grin and picked up his trademark weapon. (more…)


text:
Katie Couric is Still Using 8-Tracks
Katie Couric tweeted at us today in response to us "making fun of her." Oh Katie, always just a couple steps behind. Late to comment on this swirling vat of Lana Del Rey internet bile, (late to the internet in general) and a few steps behind our old pal, Brian Williams.
At least our new pal's got a good sense of humor to her.
[Image via Getty]


text:
New Bern aldermen amended the city ordinance Tuesday night after a public hearing to better define families living in single-family dwellings.
New Bern aldermen amended the city ordinance Tuesday night after a public hearing to better define families living in single-family dwellings.
Scott Davis, city attorney, said the amendment to the city�s Land Use Ordinance was to make sure property owners could not convert single-dwelling houses into multi-rental units.
City staff has encountered several enforcement situations where property owners have partitioned off or leased multiple areas in a single-family dwelling in violation of the zoning ordinance. Those property owners have claimed the tenants are �family,� although evidence has indicated the residents actually function as multiple independent households within a single-family dwelling.
Rose Williams of Metcalf Street asked how the new definition could be enforced.
Davis said violations would be discovered mainly through complaints from neighbors and observations made by city staff when they are working in the community.
Martity Ingianni asked how the city could determine who is family and who is not.
Mayor Lee Bettis said someone who might be considered a cousin but uses a separate door in a dwelling and has a separate meter might not be the property owner�s relative.
Davis said extra meters on the house would be in violation of the zoning ordinance. The definition of family wasn�t changing and families could still have two roommates living with them, he said.
Nikki Ingianni said she was �very concerned� the city was putting a label on families and thought it was a �big brother� concept that did not belong in law.
�It�s a little scary,� she said.
Bettis said he also had some initial concerns. But as he read it more closely, he saw it as restrictions on homeowners and the amendment would provide more clarity for them.
Ingianni said then the definition of family should be taken out of the amendment.
But Davis said, widespread across the country, there is a cap on the number of non-family members living in one dwelling so it would deter a frat house atmosphere.
Alderman Dana Outlaw said the issue has come up before in New Bern, once when an out-of-town property owner had six or seven workers living in a single-family dwelling.
The amendment was to protect single-family neighborhoods, Outlaw said.
Alderman Sabrina Bengel said they were not trying to define families but put �teeth� in the ordinance to protect neighborhoods.
Alderman Bernard White said there were some homeowners who have been allowing non-relatives to live in their homes for years. He asked if they would be grandfathered in. Davis said there are no grandfathering provisions.
The new definition makes it clear that residents will not be considered family if there are multiple leases to a dwelling limiting access to separate, exclusive areas of the house; separate utility meters; separate keys and locks on internal bedroom doors; separate mailboxes and 911 emergency addresses; locked or partitioned interior stairwells or doors separating parts of the dwelling; separate kitchens and multiple exterior entrances to separate living areas.
Homes with six or less foster children and individuals residing in a family care home are considered family, according to the amendment.
The amendment passed 6-1. White opposed it.
Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.


text:
Car Recall
Latest Mercedes M-Class Models Recalled
- All-weather floor mats could interfere with the vehicle's gas pedal.
- ML350, ML550 and ML63 AMG included in recall campaign.
- Mercedes M-class owners should remove all-weather mats pending replacement.
In a defect notice sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mercedes-Benz announced a voluntary safety recall of approximately 8,675 ML350, ML550 and ML63 AMG models. The automaker says that an all-weather floor mat sold by Mercedes-Benz dealers could interfere with the vehicle's accelerator pedal. As a result, the accelerator could remain in a depressed position, even if the driver removed his or her foot from the pedal.
Dealers offered the all-weather floor mats as an accessory for the 2012 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz M-class SUVs. The automaker says it has sold approximately 8,675 sets, but is unsure how many contain the defect.
Mercedes-Benz discovered the defect in a company-owned, long-term M-class test vehicle. Personnel preparing the vehicle found that the clearance between the mat and the accelerator pedal failed to meet design specifications. Because a potential safety issue could not be ruled out, Mercedes initiated a voluntary recall.
M-class SUVs, like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, include a standard brake override function. In vehicles so equipped, depressing the brake pedal will electronically cancel the signal from the gas pedal and allow the driver to stop the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz expects to begin the recall campaign in September but in the meantime urges owners with these mats to remove them from the vehicle. As part of the recall, the company will provide replacement mats at no charge.
For more information on the Mercedes M-class all-weather floor mat recall, owners may contact the automaker at 1-800-367-6372. Alternately, the NHTSA provides information on all automotive safety recalls. Call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov and reference campaign ID 12E028000.
What it means to you: Recalls improve the safety of vehicles to the benefit of everyone on the road. The latest recall from Mercedes-Benz affects potentially defective all-weather floor mats sold by dealers for 2012-2013 M-class SUVs.


text:
Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS®)
RxNorm provides normalized names for clinical drugs and links its names to many of the drug vocabularies commonly used in pharmacy management and drug interaction software, including those of First Databank, Micromedex, Gold Standard Drug Database, and Multum. By providing links between these vocabularies, RxNorm can mediate messages between systems not using the same software and vocabulary.
RxNorm now includes the National Drug File - Reference Terminology (NDF-RT) from the Veterans Health Administration. NDF-RT is a terminology used to code clinical drug properties, including mechanism of action, physiologic effect, and therapeutic category.
Data Downloads and Applications
- RxNorm Download Files
- RxNorm API
- RxNorm Browser (RxNav)
- Current Prescribable Content
- RxTerms Drug Interface Terminology
We welcome your comments
We are interested to learn how you are using RxNorm, how you think it could be improved, and any other comments or ideas. Please send your questions, suggestions, and comments to: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Matchbox is a lightweight environment for the X Window System, that
is specifically designed for embedded platforms such as handhelds
and set-top boxes.
This package contains the Matchbox application library that provides
support functions for the Matchbox window manager and applications.
Maintained by: Daniel de Kok
Keywords: matchbox,lightweight,embedded,library
ChangeLog: libmatchbox
Download SlackBuild:
libmatchbox.tar.gz.asc (FAQ)
(the SlackBuild does not include the source)
|Individual Files:
| libmatchbox.SlackBuild
| libmatchbox.info
| slack-desc
© 2006-2018 SlackBuilds.org Project. All rights reserved.
Slackware® is a registered trademark of Patrick Volkerding
Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
Web Design by WebSight Designs | Managed Hosting by OnyxLight Communications


text:
Keane Group Inc (FRAC)
Keane Group Inc Payout Ratio (TTM)
Keane Group Inc Payout Ratio (TTM) Chart
Keane Group Inc Historical Payout Ratio (TTM) Data
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An error occurred. Please try again by refreshing your browser or contact us with details of your problem.
About Payout Ratio
The payout ratio is the percentage of net income that a company pays out as dividends to common shareholders.
A payout ratio of 10% means for every dollar in Net Income, 10% is being paid out as a dividend. For instance, if Microsoft earns $50 million in net income and the payout ratio is 25%, Microsoft will offer $12.5 million to all its common shareholders.
Companies with low payout ratios:
- High growth companies often have low payout ratios; they use the money to invest in other projects.
- Companies that do not have positive cash flow or positive earnings.
Companies with high payout ratios:
- Value-orientated companies
- Where the board and management may own stock and pay dividends to themselves (cynical view)
- Where management is favorable to shareholders
- Companies that have a consistent dividend stock policy
- Companies that do not have any investment projects that are worth pursuing.
Learn More
View Payout Ratio (TTM) for FRAC
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FRAC Payout Ratio (TTM) Benchmarks
|ProPetro Holding Corp
|Mammoth Energy Services Inc
|Liberty Oilfield Services Inc
FRAC Payout Ratio (TTM) Range, Past 5 Years
|Sep 2016
|Sep 2016
FRAC Payout Ratio (TTM) Excel Add-In Codes
- Metric Code: payout_ratio
- Latest data point: =YCP("FRAC", "payout_ratio")
- Last 5 data points: =YCS("FRAC", "payout_ratio", -4)
To find the codes for any of our financial metrics, see our Complete Reference of Metric Codes.
Access our powerful Excel Add-in with a YCharts Professional Membership. Learn More.
FRAC News
MT Newswires 11/01 04:57 ET
Yahoo 10/31 19:45 ET
SA Breaking News 10/31 19:15 ET
SA Breaking News 10/31 17:05 ET
Business Wire 10/31 17:00 ET
SA Breaking News 10/30 17:35 ET
Yahoo 10/24 10:31 ET
MT Newswires 10/18 12:41 ET


text:
Published By mattk Sat. June 27, 2009 3:05 pm EST
After the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning all won Monday, the importance of the Bruins getting a road win against the ... Read More
With the playoffs fast approaching, the Boston Bruins are looking like a team others will be hoping to avoid when the playoffs start, especially after ... Read More
The World Cup of Hockey tournament will be played this year in what will be the third time since it was created. The tournament will ... Read More
Clearly overreaction knows no boundaries. The idea that the Bruins should consider trading captain Zdeno Chara started in the Bay State and has now made it ... Read More
David Pastrnak The Bruins made the move everyone expected when they summoned forward David Pastrnak from Providence of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. Pastrnak recently ... Read More


text: School of Education Info Session(9) Date: June 18, 2014 Time: 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Cost: N/A Contact: 651-523-2900 or firstname.lastname@example.com Location: Carol Young and Dennis L. Anderson University Center - Room 111 - 774 Snelling Avenue - St. Paul, MN 55104 Sponsor: N/A Save the Date: Add to Google Calendar Description: Hamline University faculty and staff will explain the various programs offered in the School of Education. Register for this eventFor locations and maps, visit http://www.hamline.edu/about/locations.htmlThe Anderson Center is located on the south side of campus on the corner of Snelling & Englewood. Underground Parking Ramp off Snelling & Englewood.Visit the School of Education info sessions page to see a list of upcoming sessions.


text:
This article provides information on how to resolve an issue with the cursor drifting or jumping and not being under control on a Dell Notebook PC.
While in use does your cursor behave erratically?
Does the cursor drift to one of the corners of the screen?
Does the cursor jump from place to place?
While your typing text does the text appear in different locations?
If so, please follow the guide below.
The first thing to do is to see if the same issue occurs outside of the operating system. There are several ways you can do this.
On any of our E-Series Latitude Systems, the BIOS is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the touchpad and an external mouse will operate there outside of the operating system and drivers influence. You can boot to the BIOS using the F2 key method. Does the issue continue in the BIOS? (Tap the F2 key at POST - before the system boots to Windows.)
If you can boot to the 32 bit Diagnostics on any of our Notebook Systems, it is also a GUI and you can test if the issue continues there? this is either through the Fn key and Power during startup method or the F12 key method. (The 32 bit diags are in three locations. A partition on your Hard Drive, They are on your drivers CD that came with the machine and they are avialable online in your drives and downloads page.)
If you have any boot repair media, you can boot to it using the F12 key boot method and test if the issue continues? (Select the appropriate media from the menu.)
If you have any Linux or other operating systems boot media, you can see if the issue continues?
Is the issue seen outside of the operating system?
If not go to section 3 step 1.
If so go to section 4 step 1.
If the issue was not seen outside of the operating system then it is a software issue. You will want to reinstall the touchpad driver from the Dell Support Site. I would follow the guide below to get the correct driver for your particular system.
If this does not resolve your issue we would have to rule out an operating system operating file issue at this point. This would mean either a two way swap of the Hard Drive or if a Swap isn't possible then by backing up the system and reinstalling it from either your Dell factory image or Dell reinstall media.
If the fault stays with the machine after this is done, proceed to section 4 step 1.
If the fault follows the Hard drive from your system into the known good working substitute system, then a clean Operating system install will resolve your issue.
An Erratic cursor issue is most commonly caused by a conflict with either the touchpad driver and the Operating system or by a conflict between the Keyboard, Palmrest and Input Controllers. There are a couple of steps required to narrow this down.
In the operating system there is an icon in the System tray on your desktop. Right click on this icon and select Properties.
(Fig.1 Touchpad Icon)
It will bring up your touchpad properties in a small window. Select the Device Select tab across the top.
(Fig.2 Legacy ALPS Properties)
(Fig.3 Current ALPS Properties)
This next step will be repeated in several configurations to narrow down the cause of your issue. Click on the Radio button next to disable touchpad. Test the cursor using both an External USB mouse and the Pointing stick if your system has one in the middle of the Keyboard. Note down the Results.
Re-enable the Touchpad and disable the Pointing Stick if you have one. Test the cursor and note down your results. (If you don't have a Pointing Stick on your System ignore any mention of it in the next step.)
Disable both the Touchpad and the Pointing Stick. Test with the external Mouse and note down your results.
If disabling the Touchpad resolves the issue then the issue is usually with the Palmrest.
If disabling the Pointing Stick resolves the issue then the issue is most likely with the Keyboard.
If you had to disable both the Touchpad and the Pointing Stick before the issue was resolved then the issue is probably with both the keyboard and the Palmrest.
If disabling both hasn't resolved the issue and with an External mouse having the same issue, then it is probably going to be an issue with the Motherboard for the Input Controller.
You can find a more in depth guide to disabling and enabling the touchpad on the link below.
Alternatively if you have access to an identical machine and you find it too hard to control the cursor to go through this troubleshooting, you could substitute parts from one to the other to see where the fault follows. However I would recommend the first option as easier and less prone to accidental damage.
As a last step to attempt to resolve the issue, if from section 4 step 5 you get situation i, ii or iii I would recommend reseating the Keyboard and checking if this has made any impact on the issue? If not carry on to the next step.
If the system is in warranty please contact your Technical Support with the results to book a service call.
If the system is out of warranty then at this point you can either contact your Technical Support for a quote on how much is would cost for a service call or you could source and fit the part yourself.
Artikkelin tunnus: SLN155343
Muokattu viimeksi: 10/30/2017 05:32 AM
Kiitos palautteestasi.


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Caleres buys footwear retailer Allen Edmonds for $255m
Global footwear retailer Caleres has acquired US premium footwear and accessories firm Allen Edmonds in a deal worth US$255m.
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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 29th Mar 2012 10:49 UTC
"Little benownst to the world all this time, GoldenEye (N64) has a fully-functional ZX Spectrum 48x emulator built into it. By feeding it a proper Spectrum monitor program and calling menu 25 to load a snapshot, any Spectrum 48x program can be run. The emulator started life as a side project to see if Spectrum emulation was possible on N64 and was hooked into GE, the current game in development. It was supposed to be removed before release but was only made inaccessible and inoperable. All the registers, dependancies, and script required to run the emulator still reside in retail GoldenEye carts."
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The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK or EU), 'Islands' or International' student. In 2019/20 the fees for this course are:
|Fee category
|Home (UK and EU students)
|Foundation year: £7,800
|Foundation: £12,700
Year 1 (2019/20): £12,700 or £14,200**
Year 2 (2020/21): £13,100 or £14,600**
Year 3 (2021/22): £13,500 or £15,000**
|Islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
|To be confirmed by the Island Authorities
* These fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
** The international fee rate charged will depend upon the course combination chosen.
Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Our fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.
Eligible students can apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of tuition. The loan is paid directly to the University.
Eligible students can apply to Student Finance England for a loan to cover living costs. The loan is paid into your bank account in three instalments – one at the start of each term. The maximum maintenance loan in 2018/19 is £11,354 if you live away from home and study at Kingston University or £7,324 if you live with your parents whilst studying.
The maintenance loan is partly income-assessed – to find out how much you may be able to receive please visit the Student Finance Calculator.
To apply for a tuition and/or maintenance loan, you need to create a Student Finance account and submit an online application with Student Finance England. Please see the links below if you are from another UK or EU country.
Find out more about the Kingston University Bursary.
Additional support is available from Student Finance England for disabled students and students with children.
The package of funding available to students from other parts of the UK is slightly different. Please visit the relevant authority for more information:
Students from other EU countries who have been resident in the UK for at least five years prior to the start of the course are eligible for tuition and maintenance loans and should apply to Student Finance England.
Other EU students can apply to the Student Finance England European Team for a tuition fee loan only. You will need to make sure you have adequate funds to support your living expenses.
It is likely that you may incur extra costs as a student at Kingston University. It is useful for you to be aware of the types of things you may have to pay for. Find out more.
If you would like to view the fees for undergraduate courses from previous years, you can download the relevant fees document to find out more.
020 3308 9929*
*Calls cost 7p per minute from a UK landline plus your phone company's access charge. Calls to this number from mobiles are normally deductible from your inclusive minutes.
This course is taught at Penrhyn Road
020 3308 9929*
*Calls cost 7p per minute from a UK landline plus your phone company's access charge. Calls to this number from mobiles are normally deductible from your inclusive minutes.
This course is taught at Penrhyn Road


text:
Sports are not only fun, they serve a purpose.
They bring out some of the more admirable qualities of the human spirit: endurance, tenacity, teamwork, as well as grace and dignity in defeat.
It seems, however, the latter part of this equation has been all but forgotten in many quarters. Yes, laments for poor sportsmanship are frequent and tedious, but lately it seems bad behaviour has gone beyond the pale.
Some kids' actions are atrocious. Their parents', even more so.
In Massachusetts in 2002, hockey dad Thomas Junta was convicted of manslaughter after a violent altercation with another child's father resulted in the man's death. He was released from jail two years ago.
You'd think this sort of thing would send a signal. Yet childish name-calling and fistfights still abound.
Last month, a hockey dad in Manitoba was banned from attending further games after repeated verbal outbursts. This past Sunday, a video surfaced on YouTube showing parents at a rink in Tweed, Ont., verbally and physically attacking each other.
There's an aggravating factor here, whether sports enthusiasts want to acknowledge it or not. It is the near religious fervour our national obsession has spawned.
Hockey has been elevated to a separate place in society. It's much like a church, with its own canon law. As if the symbolism couldn't get any more blunt, the delayed NHL opener this year in Montreal featured old hockey heroes passing around a torch in the darkness, like some sort of communion of saints.
Lip service is paid to sportsmanship, but the primal urge to win at all costs still tends to burst through in unseemly ways.
I've witnessed young children in the stands yelling for blood as players clash on the ice. Little Johnny would never get away with it at home or in a classroom, but at the rink he has immunity. Angry, visceral screams.
And the parents can be even worse.
I came across an interesting study this week. Examiner.com posted an article on a recent Harvard sociology study that surveyed the behaviour of parents in various sports.
The author, Hilary Levey Friedman, found that, by far, hockey brought out the worst in people.
Hockey, she said, creates "parents who show no regard for life, body parts, or fairness, and no mercy on their opponents — even when they're little kids."
Of course, it's not only hockey.
"Hilary compared parents from eight sporting activities: swimming, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, child beauty pageants, academic competition," reported The Examiner. "She found examples of physical and verbal altercations from each activity and determined football and hockey to have the craziest parents, with hockey beating out football."
If there is any story that portrays a total shattering of decency and perspective, it is the unfathomable anger directed at a recent teen victim of rape in Steubenville, Ohio.
Two star high school football players were convicted of raping a drunken teen and distributing nude photos of her. The reaction should have been one of horror and disgust, and it was. Problem is, much of it was directed at the victim.
It's hard to imagine what planet someone would have to be on to condemn and even threaten a rape victim. But in this case, it happened in a community where the worship of sports heroes utterly warped the perspective of friends, family and even some media.
Give credit where credit is due. Most schools and amateur sports leaders try hard to instil basic values, including cracking down hard on bad behaviour. But it doesn't seem to be working, and there's every reason to suggest parents are one of the primary causes.
Hockey should be inspiring. It should be a forum for excellence. Too often, it becomes a conduit for senseless rage.
The stereotype of the hockey parent acting badly is just not funny anymore.
Peter Jackson is The Telegram's
commentary editor. Email: email@example.com.


text:
Recording Guitars: Miking Amps, Part 1
Here's another helpful article originally from the Gibson.com website...
In theory, the incredible advances in home recording thanks to digital technology—and conversely declining prices for such gear—put professional music production within the grasp of every musician. All too often, however, I encounter guitarists who are a few months into using their new computer-based "better than CD quality" systems and already on the point of utter frustration about not being able to get studio-quality results out of their gear. This new series on Gibson.com aims to help rectify that, and begins with this nugget of wisdom: however advanced the technology, you still need to learn some good, old-fashioned studio technique if you hope to record professional sounding guitar tracks.
To that end, let's start the series with one of the most basic and crucial realms of studio knowledge: microphone placement*. It doesn't get much more basic than putting the right mic in the right place, and while this might seem a simple and obvious process it really is an art in itself, one which can often separate the men from the boys even among professional recording engineers. That said, the rule of law in mic placement is that there are no rules—what sounds best, works. The real trick is finding the placement that really does sound best, and not just sticking the mic randomly in front of the speaker and hitting record. Great guitar recordings have been made with one, two, three and even more microphones, but let's start with some ways of finding the correct positioning for a single microphone in this installment, and move on to a few two-mic techniques in Part 2.
The type of microphone you use will partially determine where you place it. Here we'll discuss three basic mic types: dynamic, ribbon, and condenser. Rugged (and relatively affordable) dynamic mics like the classic Shure SM57 or Beyer M201 are typically used for "close miking," which—just as it sounds—means you put them very close to the speaker, even as close to the grille cloth as you can get without touching. Ribbon microphones are both very delicate (other than a few designs that are able to withstand high sound pressure levels, or SPLs) and mostly pretty expensive, and most of them sound best and are most safely used at a distance of a foot or so away from the speaker. Condenser microphones, which have become much more affordable in recent years, are very sensitive and are usually used at even further distances, or as a second mic to blend in some ambient sound with that of a close mic. Many condensers can handle the SPLs produced by close miking, but will distort too easily up close and give you a harsh, crackly sound.
You'd think close miking with, for example, a Shure SM57 would be the most straightforward process of all, but changes of even half an inch left or right, up or down across the cone of the speaker will produce noticeably different tones. Many home recordists routinely place a dynamic mic right in front of the center of the speaker cone and start playing, but in many instances this captures the harshest sound from the speaker. Moving the mic to the edge of the speaker cone often yields a warmer, edgier sound, and you will hear something a little different from just about every position in between. Even turning the mic at a slight angle to the front of the speaker cabinet picks up a slightly different tone. Switch your recording system to "input monitor," and listen through the monitors or good headphones to the amp sound produced—ideally in a different room—by a number of different mic positions as a friend or band member moves the mic around in front of the speaker. Pick the sound that works best for you… but don't stop there. Listen to how that sound works in the mix with the tune you're recording. All too often the best solo guitar sound doesn't prove the most effective—the punchiest, most powerful, or most attention grabbing—when you hear it with the rest of the band.
With condenser mics, you can follow a similar process, but because you start by extending your miking distance at least a couple feet from the amp (unless you're recording a very small amp, or one set to extremely low volumes) that means you've got a much bigger field to play with. One great technique for placing a condenser mic to record a guitar amp, one that was told to me a few years ago by John Paul Jones (not only the bassist for Led Zeppelin, but an outstanding engineer and producer in his own right), is to use your own ear like a mic, and stick the mic at the position in the room where the guitar tone sounds the best to you. This is ideally done with another person playing the guitar: cover one ear, and walk around the room listening to the sound in different positions. When you hear a sound that really nails what you're trying to capture, set up the mic right there. Done.
Ribbon microphones, which are becoming more and more popular these days (and, in some cases, more affordable), are often placed by combining these two techniques. Certain models, such as high-end designs by Royer and more affordable designs by Nady and CAD, can take high SPLs. Others, such as classics like the Coles 4038, might go "poof" in front of a raging 50-watter. In most cases, ribbons will sound best at least a few inches back from the speaker anyway, and sometimes will capture the most lifelike sound two or three feet away. Again, experiment with positioning, and be sure to check what works in the track.
Microphone Suggestions:
Here's some suggested mics, besides the ones originally mentioned in this article.
- SE Electronics GEMINI MK2 Dual Tube Condenser Microphone - you simply can't beat the sound of a classic tube condenser mic. This is a high-end, no holds barred piece of microphone history. The dual valve design means pure valve warmth from the 12AX7 input valve coupled with a 12AU7 valve on the output stage in place of the traditional transformer. The same manufacturer also makes the Z5600a II vacuum tube condenser mic, which is considerably cheaper and also excellent.
- Rode NT1-A - very affordable, and great sounding condenser mic. Great for your guitar recording, but also vocals or whenever you need a good quality, reliable condenser mic.
- Behringer Condenser Mics - for the home-studio, or musicians looking for something cheap but with good quality, you can't go wrong with Behringer's range of condenser mics. They are perfect for those who never used condenser mics before and want to try them out without commiting to a more expensive buy.
- AKG C1000S - large diaphragm condenser microphone. Great, affordable package if you're looking for a good dynamic microphone
- Shure PG57 - the SM57's baby brother. For about half the price, you're still able to get a good mic for guitar recording.
- Electro-Harmonix EH-R1 ribbon microphone - affordable ribbon mic with the quality you can expect from EHX. Offering the natural and open sound associated with the finest ribbon microphones, the EH-R1 boasts a broad, flat frequency response that shines on any instrument that requires real definition View more ribbon mics here.
*Sure, there are a lot of direct-injection interfaces that shoot your guitar sound right into your digital audio workstation (DAW), and usually offer amp and speaker simulations to boot. But plenty of guys still mic up cooking old tube guitar amps to achieve the best possible tone.
[originally by Dave Hunter, Gibson.com 01.03.2008]


text:
|Episode Description
|Thursday, Jan 17, 2013 - 9:00 PM
"Tainted Fruit, Part 1"
A new season begins with stolen drugs and syringes from a local veterinary surgery. The veterinary surgery owner and another man find a local woman dead next to her swimming pool, killed by an overdose of barbiturates. Soon the two men are found murdered as well. Part 1 of 2 G
Mountain Time
|More on IDAHO (MT)
|No upcoming shows in database


text:
Fall of the House of Usher, The (UK - BD RB)
Marcus changes into his quiet shoes and enters the House of Usher...
This Roger Corman 1960 adaptation of the short story " The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe, tells the tale of Philip Winthrop (Mark Damon) as he travels to the House of Usher, a desolate mansion surrounded by a dying forest and a murky swamp, to meet his fiancée Madeline Usher (Myrna Fahey). Madeline's brother Roderick (Vincent Price) opposes Philip's intentions, telling the young man that the Usher family is afflicted by a cursed bloodline which has driven all their ancestors to madness. Roderick foresees the family evils being propagated into future generations with a marriage to Madeline and discourages the union. Philip is dubious of the family curse but when the house itself seems to want him dead the sinister goings on in the house begin to be devastatingly real.
This classic tale of madness (which comes with a screenplay written by Richard Matheson by the way) is a fantastic voyage into darkness. Vincent Price's central sound sensitive, strong but vulnerable performance is great in every way and as he slowly begins to reveal to Philip the goings on in the house, everything becomes more and more manic.
Told in classic Gothic ways, the film isn't so much about visuals, gore, or monsters as it is about mood. There's lots of intense stares and suggestions of deeper meanings within heated conversations. The mystery of what's actually happening to the family in the creaky old house is consistently intriguing and the the slow unravelling of that mystery is at every turn a well paced affair.
This is quite a short film, clocking in at just shy of eighty minutes and it's that short run time that keeps this relatively slow burning affair working. It takes it time with the creeps and never festers for too long once you've got the point of the scene. The secrets are revealed in grand and dramatic ways (largely thanks to Vincent Price) and the classic horror story vibe feels pure throughout right up until it's devastating finale.
The depth to image is immediately felt as Philip travels through the House of User's creepy grounds. There's plenty of tree layers as Philip moves through on horseback and this is a pretty solid image for the film's age.
Once the film gets going the gorgeous colours immediately inform you of this HD upgrade. There's a technicolor look to the visuals with lots of blues and reds in the costume designs and a slightly bronzed skin tone to the actors faces. The sets look wonderfully sharp and fresh and full of life despite their dusty old house design and it's presentations like this that remind me of the joy I get from seeing old films handled well on Blu-ray.
Sure, there are more than a handful of soft elements in an otherwise sharp and detailed image. These usually come about when scenes transition, which comes with the territory of this era of film but the odd zoomed in close up can appear a lot more grainy and soft than the rest of the film's good looks.
With that said, the big selling point here is the lighting which is a great part of this HD presentation. Shadows are nice and dark, faces are covered in texture, rooms are alive with rich detail and any elements with fire really glow as a natural light source. This one is another Arrow release that feels fresh and new while retaining the film's age and charm.
There's a slight hiss to the PCM track and it can rise and fall with intensity from scene to scene but luckily the crisp dialogue is strong enough to out reach this quibble. The eerie score sits behind the dialogue unless it wants to add drama and in those cases it's a well placed score but not as powerful as you might be used to with modern films.
There's not many layers to the track but it doesn't prevent the presence of the music from being felt in all the right ways, especially the rumbling elements that merge with the manor shaking its foundations. All sound effects elements work well and don't feel too disconnected from the visuals, as is sometimes the case with these old horrors and as the intensity of the film builds everything holds together and never gets too shrieky, even with the limited audio source.
The commentary with Roger Corman is full of life, loaded with technical facts, stories of the shoot and it's all told in short bursts of what is popping into Corman's mind as he watches. It's a very easy listen along.
Joe Dante (26:47 HD) reflects on Roger Corman and his films. He talks of their interactions over the years and how much he learnt from the prolific director.
Jonathan Rigby (32:58 HD) is a discussion with the author who we're told has written a couple of Gothic books. He talks of the book, the connections to Edgar Allan Poe and the film itself. There's a lot of film history, a lot of Poe history and generally this is a featurette packed with detail.
Vincent Price (11:26 SD) is a 1986 interview with the film legend (around the release of Basil The Great Mouse Detective) and it highlights the filmstars enjoyable presence and his looks at his career in a general overview.
'Fragments of the House of Usher' (10:47 HD) is a narration regarding what the story of The Fall of the House of Usher is actually about. Cut together with clips suggestions are raised over the the films villain. Is it the house itself? The fog? Or just plain madness. Lastly we get the film's trailer.
I really dug The Fall of The House of Usher. Its eerie mood is great and it never really lets the audience go until the bitter end. The presentation is fantastic, with minor issues in the gloriously coloured visuals and only a slight forgiveable hiss to the audio. Once again, this Arrow release comes loaded with interesting extras and once again they make this release an absolute solid recommendations for fans of the film, the era it was released, the genre it lives in or anyone involved with Roger Corman and his work.
Note: The above images are taken from the Blu-ray release and resized for the page. Full-resolution captures are available by clicking individual images, but due to .jpg compression they are not necessarily representative of the quality of the transfer.
Review by Marcus Doidge
Chris Johnson Member Join Date: October 2005 Location: United States Posts: 1,465
Classic film. Corman and Price made a great team.
Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date: 26th August 2013
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 2.35:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: PCM 2.0 English
Subtitles: English SDH
Extras: Commentary, Interviews, Featurette, Trailer
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Roger Corman
Cast: Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey
Genre: Drama, Horror and Thriller
Length: 79 minutes
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text:
2012 Kawasaki Brute Force® 750 4x4i EPS
On Sale
Was $6,495.00
Sale: Save $1,000.00 now until 12/31/2018
160 Miles
In Stock
Leeson's Import Motors
Primary Color
Stock #
Brute Force® 750 4x4i EPS
Dealer Insights
Flagship of the Kawasaki ATV line, the muscular Brute Force® 750 4x4i ATV received a comprehensive round of upgrades for the 2012 model year. An Electric Power Steering (EPS) system highlights the changes, but is joined by other significant new features like a more-powerful V-twin engine, new double-wishbone front suspension, six-spoke cast alloy wheels and new bodywork featuring wide-stance styling cues. Like always, dual-range four-wheel drive and a highly maneuverable chassis provide amazing traction, handling and utility.
- Engine: Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin
- Valve system: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
- Displacement: 749 cc
- Starting system: Electric
- Bore x Stroke: 85 x 66 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.3:1
- Fuel Injection: DFI®; (2) 36 mm Mikuni throttle bodies
- Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
- Transmission: Continuously variable belt-drive transmission with high and low range, plus reverse, and Kawasaki Engine Brake Control
- Final drive: Selectable four-wheel drive with Variable Front Differential Control, shaft
- Frame Type: Double-cradle, high-tensile tubular steel
- Front suspension / wheel travel: Double Wishbone / 6.7 in.
- Rear suspension / wheel travel: Fully independent, dual A-arm / 7.5 in.
- Front Tire Size: AT25x8-12
- Rear Tire Size: AT25x10-12
- Front brakes: Dual hydraulic 200 mm discs with 2-piston calipers
- Rear Brakes: Sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc
- Overall length: 86.4 in.
- Overall width: 46.5 in.
- Overall height: 48.0 in.
- Wheelbase: 50.6 in.
- Turning Radius: 10 ft. 6 in.
- Ground clearance: 9.4 in.
- Seat height: 35.8 in.
- Lighting: 35W headlights, 5W taillight, 21W stoplight
- Rack capacity, front / rear: 88 lbs. / 176 lb.
- Towing capacity: 1,250 lb.
- Curb weight: 694.6 lb.
- Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
- Instruments: Speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, engine temp, clock, hour meter and 2WD/4WD icon, plus indicators for EPS, neutral, reverse, belt, and oil pressure.
- Color Choices: Scout Green, Super Black
- Good Times™ Protection Plan: 12, 24, 36 or 48 months
- Warranty: 12 Months
Key Features
- Kawasaki's high-grade Electric Power Steering (EPS) system offers both enhanced handling and increased ride comfort.
- Upgraded fuel injected 90-degree 749cc V-twin Engine offers more power and enhanced low-rpm performance
- New six-spoke cast aluminum wheels replace the old plain steel units and make a significant styling contribution while offering a more premium image
- Re-styled bodywork (hood, bumper, fenders and headlight surrounds) are key elements of the Brute Force 750's new wide and rugged design
- Upgraded cargo racks feature stronger 1" tubing that is over 25% larger in diameter than the previous versions and integrated tie-down hook loops for added convenience
- New instrumentation is easier to read at a glance and features a multi-purpose digital display with speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, engine temp, clock, hour meter, and 2WD/4WD icon, plus indicator lamps for EPS, neutral, reverse, belt and oil pressure
- New stronger double-cradle frame features additional reinforcement at critical points for increased ride comfort and enhanced ability to absorb shocks when sport riding on rough terrain
More Powerful Fuel Injected 90-Degree 749cc V-Twin Engine
- New cylinder heads provide a higher compression ratio which contributes to increased low rpm torque. Mid-high rpm performance is excellent, as always, but the extra low-end torque enhances performance when launching from a stop
- New camshaft profiles with revised timing and increased valve lift further contribute to the revised engine's power delivery
- New stainless steel exhaust pipes feature revised lengths and two additional pass-through holes inside the muffler to help boost engine performance
- New rubber muffler mounts help minimize stresses on the exhaust system
- New thinner auto compression release (ACR) shaft helps reduce friction where it meets the camshaft and a stronger ACR return spring offers improved starting characteristics
- New starter gear is made of stronger material and uses deeper teeth for increased durability
- Aluminum cylinders are Electrofusion-plated for light weight, long wear and excellent heat dispersion
- Revised top and oil rings for the pistons (piston grooves where modified accordingly) help prevent oil consumption and reduce blow-by gases
- New 33.5 Amp alternator offers increased output to help ensure sufficient current to operate the EPS and other electrical systems. Regulator capacity was also increased accordingly
- New larger radiator is placed high in the chassis for optimum protection against mud and debris
- New larger radiator fan and larger-diameter cooling hoses and pipes help maximize cooling performance from the new radiator
- A self-repairing circuit breaker and dedicated fuse for the fan help keep things cool
- New tuning for the Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®) system matches the revised engine characteristics and helps improve off-idle and low-rpm response
- Dual 36mm throttle bodies are controlled by a 32-bit CPU, which monitors coolant temperature, air intake temperature, throttle position, air intake pressure, vehicle speed and crankshaft angle to help ensure the perfect air/fuel mixture
- Low spring rate for the throttle return springs and ball bearing-equipped throttle bodies minimize friction and enhance throttle action
- Engine can be started in any gear when a brake is applied
- Air for the CVT and engine enter from a reverse-facing snorkel located beneath the handlebars to help protect against water and mud intrusion
- Access to the air filter requires removing only one cover
Upgraded CVT and Powertrain
- Upgraded fully automatic Kawasaki Automatic Powerdrive System (KAPS) continuously variable transmission (CVT) has high and low forward gears plus reverse
- Changing one of the CVT's high gear ratios and using a thicker belt made of stronger material contributes to longer belt life and reduced maintenance requirements
- Revised CVT converter weight and drive spring tuning offers improved acceleration characteristics and increased control during low-speed operation
- Revised CVT duct layout and placement is more effective at preventing the intrusion of water and mud
- Limited-slip front differential reduces steering effort under normal four-wheel drive operation, while Variable Front Differential Control permits rider to distribute torque equally to front wheels for maximum traction
- Selectable two or four-wheel drive operation is controlled by pressing a button located on the handlebar
- Cardan joints on drive shafts absorb torque fluctuations and reduce vibration
- Plastic front and rear axle boots provide protection from debris
- New stronger double-cradle frame features additional reinforcement at critical points (front A-arm mounts, rear stabilizer mounts, engine mounts, footrest mounts, etc), resulting in improved rough terrain handling. The frame's improved ability to absorb shocks when sport riding on rough terrain and the increased ride comfort make it easier to maintain a higher average speed in most conditions
- Offers 9.4 inches of ground clearance
- Fitted with pre-routed tubing and mounting brackets for easy winch wiring and installation
New Electric Power Steering System
- Kawasaki's high-grade Electric Power Steering (EPS) system offers both enhanced handling and increased ride comfort. Turning the bars causes a signal to be sent to the electronic steering control unit, initiating power assist
- The EPS ECU uses input from a vehicle speed sensor and torque sensor to determine the amount of steering assistance required from the system's electric motor. At slow speeds or when stopped, assistance is greatest; assistance is reduced as vehicle speed increases to help ensure predictable handling
- The EPS assembly enhances ride quality and control by also acting as a damping system. Even when steering input is neutral, the added inertia of the electric motor acts as a stabilizer. Likewise, it significantly reduces bump steer and kickback to the bars caused by wheel impacts
- Revised steering assembly relocates the bottom of the steering shaft so that it is no longer directly connected to the front differential. Movement of the differential due to changes in throttle application in 4x4 mode no longer affects the steering assembly, resulting in significantly smoother handling
New Six-Spoke Cast Aluminum Wheels
- New six-spoke cast aluminum wheels replace the old plain steel units and make a significant styling contribution while offering a more premium image
- Mounted with aggressive AT 25 x 8-12 (front) and AT 25 x 10-12 (rear) tires, the premium wheels help give the Brute Force its 9.4 inches of ground clearance
New Wide and Rugged Styling
- High-gloss, scratch-resistant Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) bodywork offers a tough, scratch resistant surface to help it stay fresh looking for the long haul
- New bodywork (hood, bumper and headlight surrounds) are key elements of the Brute Force 750's new wide and rugged design
- New covered hood storage bin offers additional convenience and is large enough to hold two 16 oz. bottles
- New front and rear fenders complement the tougher-looking design
- Waterproof storage box in the left front fender complements the easy-access storage pocket on the right side
- New dual wide-set 35-watt headlights help provide excellent lighting for nighttime rides
- New taillight design compliments the new wide-stance bodywork
- New cargo racks feature stronger 25.4mm tubing that is over 25% larger in diameter than the previous versions. This enhances durability and helps contribute to the machine's new tougher styling. Total combined rack capacity is 264 Lbs
- The addition of tie-down hook points on the cargo rack tubes make it easier –and far more reliable– to secure a load
- Revised exhaust covers and the addition of heat-resistant padding on the inside of the side covers significantly reduce engine heat transmitted to the rider, contributing to enhanced rider comfort
- Revised deflectors and inner bodywork provide greater overlap between the airbox intake tube and snorkel extension, making it even more difficult for water and/or mud to get into the air cleaner
- New protective shielding under the front hood helps prevent mud from reaching the air intake, and also helps protect the relocated electrical equipment from the elements
- Larger wheel-well flaps help minimize water/mud intrusion into the engine compartment
Independent Double Wishbone Front Suspension
- Revised double wishbone independent front suspension design includes preload adjustable shocks, and features 6.7 inches of suspension travel for a comfortable ride
- Front upper and lower wishbone pivot joints use rubber bushings to minimize maintenance requirements
- Optimized suspension geometry provides light steering
- Revised suspension arm/shock absorber layout (shock absorbers are mounted at a more splayed angle between the upper and lower wishbones) helps minimize sag and allows a higher ground clearance to be maintained once a rider sits on the ATV
- With the revised geometry, single-rate springs were found to offer the best performance
Independent Rear Suspension
- Double A-arms and a preload adjustable shock at each wheel provide superior ride comfort and ground following ability
- Independent rear suspension provides 7.5 inches of travel
- Re-tuned shock settings minimize sag and enable a higher ground clearance to be maintained once a rider sits on the ATV
- Lower rear A-arms feature a combination of needle bearings and ball joints for smooth suspension action, stability and excellent rider comfort
- Upgraded rear stabilizer rods use thicker-walled tubing for increased lateral stability
- Torsion bar helps minimize body roll
- Dual front disc brakes with two-piston calipers and Kawasaki's sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc rear brake system provide maximum stopping power
- Electronically controlled Kawasaki Engine Brake Control helps to slow the ATV under certain conditions
Relaxed Cockpit
- New instrumentation is easier to read at a glance and features a multi-purpose digital display with speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, fuel gauge, engine temp, clock, hour meter and indicator lamps for neutral, reverse, 2WD/4WD, belt and oil warnings
- New sport style grips help reduce felt vibration and enhance rider control, as well as offering molded-in safety wire grooves
- Comfortable, upright seating position combines with the independent rear suspension for a plush ride
- New seat material has superb elasticity, offering increased comfort and holding performance. The material is also resistant to cold, allowing it to maintain its suppleness when temperatures drop and reducing the chance of tearing/ripping when exposed to extremely cold environments
Additional Features
- 12-volt electric outlet offers convenient power for accessories
- Aluminum footpegs help minimize weight
- Trailer hitch bracket with 1,250-pound towing capacity is standard equipment
- Engine Type
- 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin, SOHC, four valves per cylinder
- Displacement
- 749 cc
- Bore x Stroke
- 85 x 66 mm
- Cylinders
- 2
- Engine Cooling
- Liquid
- Fuel System
- DFI®; (2) 36 mm Mikuni throttle bodies
- Starting System
- Electric
- Alternator
- Front Suspension
- Double Wishbone
- Front Travel
- 6.7 in.
- Front Brake Type
- Dual hydraulic 200 mm discs with 2-piston calipers
- Front Tires
- AT25x8-12
- Rear Suspension
- Fully independent, dual A-arm
- Rear Travel
- 7.5 in.
- Rear Brake Type
- Sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc
- Rear Tires
- AT25x10-12
- Frame
- Double-cradle, high-tensile tubular steel
- Dry Weight
- 694.6 lb.
- Front Rack Capacity
- 88 lb.
- Rear Rack Capacity
- 176 lb.
- Towing Capacity
- 1,250 lb.
- Fuel Capacity
- 5.0 gal.
- Ground Clearance
- 9.4 in.
- Machine Dimensions (LxWxH)
- 86.4 in. x 46.5 in. x 48.0 in.
- Wheelbase
- 50.6 in.
Drive Train
- Drive Train
- 4x4
- Final Drive
- Selectable four-wheel drive with Variable Front Differential Control, shaft
- Transmission
- Continuously variable belt-drive transmission with high and low range, plus reverse, and Kawasaki Engine Brake Control
- Speedometer
- Standard
- Odometer
- Standard
- Lighting
- 35W headlights, 5W taillight, 21W stoplight
- Colors
- Scout Green, Super Black
- Warranty
- 12 Months


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RazorfishThey were the kings of the late-1990s dot-com bubble ... until, of course, the bubble burst.
The dot-com crash was nearly 15 years ago. We thought it might be interesting to find out what happened to the startup founders who defined an era of unparalleled ambition and excess.
These were the guys who declined to buy a new company called "Google" for $1 million because it seemed too expensive. The guys who threw office parties at which transvestites served burgers from White Castle. The guys who complained that the "Concorde was a bit cramped."
It was a heck of a time.


text:
Some babies
teething, because they feel discomfort or pain. The
most common symptoms of teething include:
Teething rings or teethers can help ease your baby's discomfort from
teething. Many items are available and clearly marked for this purpose. Make
sure that items will not pose a choking hazard and are safe to put in a baby's
Biting or chewing on a clean, frozen washcloth can also help relieve
teething pain.
Next Section:
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Last Revised:
March 21, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


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The Scientific and Technical Review Panel, Ramsar's scientific subsidiary body
The Scientific and Technical Review Panel of the Ramsar Convention was established by Resolution 5.5 (Kushiro, 1993) as a subsidiary body of the Convention to provide scientific and technical guidance to the Conference of the Parties, the Standing Committee, and the Ramsar secretariat. Its individual members are elected by the STRP Oversight Committee, based upon nominations from the Parties, on the same regionally proportionate basis that is used for electing the Standing Committee itself, but they serve in their own capacities as experts in the scientific areas required by the STRP's Work Plan and not as representatives of their countries. Resolutions VII.2 (San José, 1999) and X.9 (Changwon, 2008) modified the composition and modus operandi of the STRP, and Resolution XI.18 (Bucharest, 2012) further adjusted the Panel's composition and its modus operandi.
In addition to the 13 individual STRP members and five invited experts, delegates from the five International Organization Partners -- BirdLife International, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), IUCN, Wetlands International, and WWF International -- represent their organizations as full members of the Panel. In addition, representatives of the 34 subsidiary bodies of other Multilateral Environment Agreements and non-governmental organizations and associations specified in Annex I to Resolution X1.18 are also invited to participate as permanent observers during each triennium, and representatives of other organizations are invited to participate in the work of the STRP as required by the nature of the tasks under study.
The Scientific and Technical Review Panel, 2013-2015
Royal Gardner, Chair of STRP
Christine Prietto, Vice-Chair of STRP
|See all bios here (PDF)
|Gueladio Cissé
|Reda Fishar
|Stanley Liphadzi
|Hiromi Yamashita
|Lijuan Cui
|Ritesh Kumar
|Lars Dinesen
|Matt Walpole
|Matthew McCartney
|Randy Milton
|Pierre Horwitz
|Christine Prietto
|Randy Thaman
Invited experts
|See all bios here (PDF)
|David Stroud
|Dave Pritchard
|Max Finlayson
|Mike Acreman
|Amiro Pérez-Leroux
IOP members
|See all bios here (PDF)
|WI - Stephan Flink
|IWMI - Sonali Senaratna
|IUCN - Stefano Barchiesi
|WWF - Eugenio Barrios
|BirdLife - Vicky Jones
The STRP's Work Plan for each triennium is built around the priority tasks determined by the Standing Committee, which are based upon requests from the Conference of the Parties by means of its Strategic Plan and COP Resolutions and Recommendations. The STRP members and observers are assisted in their work by a network of STRP National Focal Points who advise them directly on STRP matters and provide a liaison between the STRP and the networks of other relevant experts within each of their countries. The STRP's Expert Working Groups and the National Focal Points communicate by means of electronic mail and Internet discussion groups.
The work of the STRP is further assisted by the STRP Portal, which is operated by Wetlands International under contract with the Convention. The purpose of the Portal is to provide the STRP Expert Working Groups and National Focal Points with additional contacts among the expert networks of the International Organization Partners and other groups, identify gaps in needed expertise and endeavor to fill them, assemble a clearinghouse of additional information resources for the tasks of the Work Plan, and facilitate communication amongst the Working Groups, the Focal Points, and other sources of expertise.
17th Meeting of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel
Related STRP documents are available here
Reports of STRP meetings are available here


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Duolingo: App teaches you a new language, for free
If you're reading this, chances are you've dreamed of speaking another language -- but perhaps were turned off by those pricey packages or felt it would be too difficult to pull off.
Now you've got nothing to lose with an ambitious and free new app called Duolingo for iOS and Android devices.
After spending a few days sharpening my French, I can confirm Duolingo's bite-sized lessons work very well – and are quite fun, as well.
The first step to Duolingo is to create a free account (or sign in with your Facebook ID) and then select which language you'd like to learn or strengthen: Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian or English. All your information is stored in the "cloud," therefore you can sign in on multiple devices – like an iPhone, Android tablet or web browser on a Windows PC – and you'll pick up where you last left off.
Next up are some basic lessons to get you going, such as some nouns like "boy" and "girl," as well as a couple of pronouns (she, he, we), feminine and masculine nouns (if applicable) and some verbs (like "to eat"). You'll begin by tapping the word that matches a photo (such as a picture of a small boy for "garçon" in French) and you'll hear a human-like voice say the word out loud. Each set of drills starts with four hearts, but every mistake you make takes one away; the app will tell you the correct answer, though.
Other lessons have you translating a sentence you read and hear, by tapping from available words at the bottom of the screen, followed by selecting the missing word from the sentence, typing out the words using the keyboard and even saying the phrase into your device's microphone. If you aren't in a place where you can speak into the microphone, you can do these lessons later. There's plenty of handholding throughout, and the pace is perfect.
Once you complete a group of lessons, you'll hear a trumpet celebrate your victory, and see the number of XP (experience) points you've earned, a heart bonus (the more you have, the more XP you'll get) and your progress in chart form. You can also earn achievements as extra incentive and reward for partaking in these lessons and tests. As part of its "gamification" approach, Duolingo also shows your best words or phrases, how many days you've been advancing through the app ("4 day streak!") and an optional leaderboard to compete with friends.
As you'd expect, the lessons get a bit tougher, but you can go back to repeat previous ones. With French as an example, after the 4-part Basics lessons, you'll graduate to phrases, food and animals, followed by adjectives and plurals, and then actions, questions, conjunctions and prepositions. Next, you'll find lessons on time, places, people, feelings, and much more. You can view all the future lesson categories, but it'll be greyed out (inaccessible) until you complete the preceding lesson. It's optional, but your iOS or Android device can remind you to practice if you haven't done so in a while.
Without comparing it to other platforms, such as Rosetta Stone – also available in app form now -- Duolingo makes learning another language fun, and yes, completely free (even ad-free). Truly, this is one of the best apps of the fall thus far. Or if may say, it's "fantastique"!


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Training and Sustaining Your Workforce
Automation, software and PLCs dictate the workforce requirements in the contemporary food plant, and processors everywhere are struggling to find workers with the skills to keep plants running smoothly.
Staffing and training. Simple words. But to the food processor in the high-tech era, they can be monumental challenges.
Gone is the day when a strong back, solid work ethic and most basic of machine operating skills were high credentials for a job on the floor of a food plant. Automation and computer control demand higher skills and more sophisticated training. But much of the required talent has gone to industries with better reputations for high technology and advancement. A common complaint among processors today is they do not have the pick of the lot when it comes to labor talent.
Workers today seek more flexibility in their jobs even if they have to balance the trade with greater productivity. And in today's job seeker's market, the script has been flipped, and workers with skills are dangling them before prospective employers.
Adapting to the changing plant and changing workforce has become one of the most formidable challenges in today's food industry.
"Getting the right people - and good people - is one of our toughest jobs," says Doug Wimberly, president of Butter-krust Bakery, a division of Southern Bakeries, headquartered in Lakeland, Fla.
Drawing from talented labor pools and providing adequate training - and luck - are the only solutions. But sometimes the talent just ain't in the neighborhood, and, as always, training takes time and money.
Changing workforce
If the generations aren't colliding in the food plant, they are at least out of step. Older hands with decades of knowledge are yielding to talented youngsters with little knowledge of the industry. The challenge of managing today's workforce is magnified by the escalation in information technology, which younger workers have grown up with and many veteran workers still dread.
A convenient demographic breakdown helps to identify four generations in the modern American workplace: Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.
Veterans and Baby Boomers - the senior members of the workforce - are accustomed to being closely managed and given orders. They are concerned with job security, health insurance and defined job responsibilities. They value maturity, loyalty and work ethic.
Generation X and Generation Y workers - more recent arrivals to the workplace - appear to be more dynamic though volatile. They are excited about change, seek growth opportunities and strive to move forward. They want to work and grow. They need a career ladder. They may value their personal time and time with family. They resist the temptation of letting their jobs define them.
Veterans and Boomers may be slower to adapt to new systems or resist change entirely. "But with young people, you hear 'You mean you are still doing that manually? I can do this in minutes on the computer!'" says Stacy Campbell-Dominick, program director for Polk Works/Workforce 2020, a workforce development program in Florida's Polk County.
Yet it is the Vets and Boomers who have the maturity, knowledge and experience that comprise the bedrock of company capability. How might the twain meet?
"You try to create a mentor/coach relationship so when the Boomers retire, that maturity doesn't go out the door," says Campbell-Dominick.
Companies do need to plan for inevitable departures. Workers young and old migrate from job to job at an unprecedented rate today. Downsizing to maintain "lean and mean" manufacturing organizations has done little to foster loyalty, stability or continuity, not to mention development of a deep knowledge base. Compounding the problem, Gen X and Y workers, born into a world of brief stays, are not averse to leaving when their part of the job is complete.
"Whether experienced workers leave voluntarily or involuntarily, you often have no one left at the organization who understands a role after the departure of key personnel," says Campbell-Dominick. "Opportunity for growth requires succession planning."
The dearth of workers with needed skills and knowledge has made training and retaining key personnel matters of dire consequence. Since the early 1990s, food companies repeatedly have leaped to cost-saving worker cuts without figuring out how they would operate with fewer minds and bodies. Many have paid a high price for the decision. Fairness and morale also make succession planning important, as workforce loyalty and performance can be greatly influenced by management's consideration and handling during downsizing.
"Companies that do not make room for training and development have retention issues," says Campbell-Dominick.
Seeding the worker pool
Dave Zepponi, president of the Northwest Food Processors Assn., has urged food processors, along with their partners in support industries, to pool efforts to reduce training costs and improve the overall quality of training. Processors in his region of the Pacific Northwest have started to heed the call. When Zepponi spoke to Florida processors in January 2005, he helped to spur a similar practice in Campbell-Dominick's area of Polk County.
To attract or retain food companies, the regions themselves now are taking the bull by the horns as well, securing grants and coughing up home dollars to upgrade the skill level of the local work pool. Some are even getting food companies - including competitors - to contribute to the pool of trainees to make training more affordable.
That's the case in Polk County. "We will pool with Juice Bowl and Pepperidge Farm," says Butterkrust's Wimberly.
Polk Works Workforce 2020 is a nationally acclaimed program backing the Central Florida Development Council's (CFDC ) commitment to attracting and keeping businesses. Formed in 1999, it is a collaborative initiative of CFDC and the Polk County Workforce Development Board, (Polk Works). It links businesses with local learning institutes and assists local businesses with the hiring, training and retention of personnel.
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text:
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Having already clinched the Conference Carolinas regular season championship, the King University softball team hosted Erskine College to close out the regular season. The Tornado needed extra innings to take the first game 2-1 before winning game two 6-2 for the sweep.
Neither team was able to get any offense going early in game on as the teams combined for two hits through the first three innings. The Tornado finally got their first hit of the game, a Christina Melcher double to center field to leadoff the fourth inning. Fallon Thomas followed with a double down the left field line to score Melcher and give King the narrow advantage. However, Erskine pitcher Kelsey Spurrier got out of the inning without any more harm.
The Flying Fleet evened the score in sixth inning as Morgan Purcell laced a bases loaded one-out single to left field to score Jordan Suther. However, Hannah Light got a pair of groundouts to second base to escape the jam and keep the game tied.
After the Tornado stranded runners on the corners in the top of the eighth inning, they went to work on offense. Aubree Hutt was placed on second due to the international tiebreaker, and advanced to third on a Melcher fly out. Following a Fallon Thomas walk, Hannah Smith hit a groundball up the middle that the Erskine second basemen dove for and caught. However, she couldn't get an out and the winning run scored to give King the 2-1 victory.
Light allowed the one run on six hits in eight innings of work, and earned her 22nd win of the season. Smith let the offense with two hits and one run batted in.
Melcher and Cassie Ringstaff sparked the offense with back-to-back hits to lead off the bottom of the first inning of game two. After Ringstaff stole second, and moved to third on a groundout, she scored on a Tori McComas single down the left field line to give the Tornado (29-24, 17-3 CC) the 1-0 lead.
The Flying Fleet (14-22-2, 10-9-1 CC) answered with one run in the fourth inning, but pitcher Morgan White stranded the bases loaded to keep the score tied.
Nevertheless, King answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Melcher and Ringstaff both drove in runs to give the Tornado a 4-1 lead.
Erskine scored one run in the fifth to get back within two, but King put the game out of reach with a pair of runs in the sixth inning to take the game 6-2.
White got the start in the circle and allowed two runs on six hits in six innings of work. Morgan Lowe came in and tossed the final innings to close the game out. Melcher and Ringstaff paced the King offense with two hits apiece. With the wins, King pushes their winning streak to nine games.
King will be the No. 1 seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament this weekend in Burlington, N.C. The Tornado faces eighth seeded Pfeiffer University at 12:00 p.m., on Friday.