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Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
Background. Few safe and effective dietary supplements are available to promote weight loss. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of glucomannan, a water-soluble fiber supplement, for achieving weight loss in overweight and moderately obese individuals consuming self-selected diets. Methods. Participants were randomly assigned to take 1.33 grams of glucomannan or identically looking placebo capsules with 236.6 mL (8 ounces) of water one hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was change in body weight after 8 weeks. Other efficacy outcomes were changes in body composition, hunger/fullness, and lipid and glucose concentrations. Safety outcomes included gastrointestinal symptoms/tolerance and serum liver enzymes and creatinine levels. Results. A total of 53 participants (18–65 years of age; BMI 25–35 kg/m2) were enrolled and randomized. The two groups did not differ with respect to baseline characteristics and compliance with the study supplement. At 8 weeks, there was no significant difference between the glucomannan and placebo groups in amount of weight loss ( and , resp.) or other efficacy outcomes or in any of the safety outcomes. Conclusions. Glucomannan supplements administered over 8 weeks were well tolerated but did not promote weight loss or significantly alter body composition, hunger/fullness, or lipid and glucose parameters. This trial is registered with NCT00613600.
1. Introduction
Overweight and obesity are exceedingly difficult to reverse. Despite the widespread use of conventional management strategies—low-calorie diets, physical activity, behavioral interventions, and pharmacological agents—the prevalence of overweight and obesity continues to rise in the US. An estimated 65% of all US adults were either overweight or obese during 2007-2008 [1]. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for comorbidities such as diabetes and atherosclerosis and are associated with reduced quality of life and life expectancy [2, 3]. Clearly, alternative approaches are needed. One potentially promising alternative approach is glucomannan, a dietary supplement widely promoted and used for its weight loss properties. Despite its widespread use, the safety and efficacy of glucomannan have not been adequately studied.
Glucomannan is a water-soluble, fermentable dietary fiber extracted from the tuber or root of the elephant yam, also known as konjac (Amorphophallus konjac or Amorphophallus rivieri). Glucomannan consists of a polysaccharide chain of beta-D-glucose and beta-D-mannose with attached acetyl groups in a molar ratio of 1 : 1.6 with beta 1–4 linkages (see Figure 1) [4–6]. Because human salivary and pancreatic amylase cannot split beta 1, 4 linkages, glucomannan passes relatively unchanged into the colon, where it is highly fermented by colonic bacteria. It has a high molecular weight (average: 1,000,000 Daltons) and can absorb up to 50 times its weight in water, making it one of the most viscous dietary fibers known [6]. Therefore, glucomannan is taken in smaller doses than other types of fiber supplements.
The mechanisms that mediate the weight reduction effects of glucomannan are thought to be similar to those of other water-soluble, fermentable fibers. With its low energy density and bulking properties, glucomannan seems to promote weight loss by displacing the energy of other nutrients and producing satiety and satiation as it absorbs water and expands in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, glucomannan seems to reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by stimulating fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids and decreasing intestinal absorption of cholesterol [7–9]. Also, glucomannan may improve glycemic parameters by inhibiting appetite and slowing intestinal absorption due to increased viscosity [10–13]. Glucomannan is generally well tolerated and has a favorable safety profile.
Glucomannan has been associated with reductions in body weight and plasma lipid and glucose levels in adults in a few clinical trials [14–19]. But these trials have been limited by weak designs, small sample sizes, heterogeneous diagnoses, variable formulations and dosages of glucomannan, and short duration of follow-up [20]. In contrast to these studies, we used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 3.99 g/day of glucomannan capsules in a sample of 53 healthy overweight and moderately obese adults consuming self-selected diets and maintaining usual physical activity levels during an 8-week study period.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Population
Men and women were recruited from a clinic within an urban academic medical center, located in a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designated medically underserved area. Individuals were eligible for inclusion in the study if they were between the ages of 18 and 65 years and had body mass index (BMI) ≥25 and ≤35 at study entry. Individuals were not eligible if they were currently using fiber supplements or had intolerance to fiber supplements, had untreated/unstable metabolic conditions known to influence weight status (e.g., hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes mellitus), had gastrointestinal disorders that might cause complications or influence motility or satiety (e.g., diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal narrowing or obstruction, and difficulty swallowing), were using medications or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that might affect weight or food absorption (e.g., diuretics, glucocorticoids, anorexigenic agents, Orlistat, acupuncture, and Hoodia), had an eating disorder, or were participating in a weight loss program. Other exclusion criteria were stage II hypertension (≥160/100 mmHg) or dyslipidemia (fasting LDL cholesterol ≥ 160 mg/dL; total cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL; triglycerides > 200 mg/dL; HDL ≤ 40 mg/dL), fasting serum glucose > 126 mg/dL, renal or liver disease, history of depression, abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol, use of cigarettes, or pregnant, less than 6 months postpartum, or lactating.
Based on a previous placebo-controlled trial of glucomannan [18], we planned to recruit 50 participants and follow them up for 8 weeks to have 80% power to adequately detect changes in weight and other metabolic variables.
2.2. Study Design
Eligible individuals who consented to participate in the study were randomly assigned to receive capsules containing glucomannan or a matching placebo filled with inactive microcrystalline cellulose. A random number generator was used to create a randomization sequence; boxes containing each participant's supply of capsules were packaged according to this sequence. Both the glucomannan and placebo capsules were prepared by an external pharmacy, which had no other role in the study. To ensure that the glucomannan supplement used during the study period met quality control standards, it was purchased from the same lot, and a sample was submitted to ConsumerLab.com for compositional and purity analyses, which indicated appropriate composition and purity. Neither the participants nor the investigators were aware of the treatment assignments.
Participants were instructed to take two 666 mg (1.33 g) glucomannan or placebo capsules with 236.6 mL (8 oz.) of water one hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 8 weeks (for a total of 3.99 g/day). They were also encouraged to maintain their current dietary intake and physical activity levels. Study participants returned at 2 weeks and 8 weeks to return any unused study supplement or placebo from the previous visit, receive a new supply of the study supplement or placebo for the remaining 6 weeks, report on side effects, and have blood drawn.
All data were collected by study research personnel and uploaded to TeleForm (electronic scanning) database by a research assistant. The study was approved by the site institutional review board. All participants provided written informed consent before enrollment. An independent data and safety monitoring committee monitored the trial and reviewed the interim results.
2.3. Primary Outcome
The primary efficacy outcome was weight loss from baseline to 2 weeks and 8 weeks after randomization. Body weight was measured to the nearest 1/10 kg using a calibrated electronic scale, with participants wearing light clothing without shoes [21].
2.4. Secondary Outcomes
Secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in body composition (waist/hip circumference, body fat, and fat-free mass), hunger and fullness, and fasting lipids and blood glucose parameters. Waist and hip circumference were determined using standardized procedures [22] and body fat and fat-free mass were measured using Tanita Ultimate Scale (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Subjective sensations of hunger and fullness were assessed using standardized 100 mm visual analog scales (VAS) [23]. The hunger scale was anchored by the words, "Not at all hungry" and "Extremely hungry" and the fullness scale was anchored by "Not at all full" and "Extremely full." Participants were asked to make a vertical mark across the line corresponding to their feelings during the past four hours on the day of their scheduled clinic visit (total = three days during the 8-week study period). To score the scales, the distance in mm from 0 for each scale was measured with a ruler. Fasting peripheral venous blood specimens were obtained for glucose and lipid levels. A standard lipid panel was used to quantify triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol; LDL cholesterol levels were calculated using the Friedewald equation.
Key safety outcomes were gastrointestinal symptoms and tolerability and laboratory assessment of liver and renal function. Gastrointestinal symptoms and tolerance were determined by asking participants about difficulty swallowing, abdominal distention, diarrhea, belching, and other gastrointestinal-related symptoms using standard methods of nondirected questioning, including when symptoms started and whether they were thought to be related to the study supplement. Liver enzymes were considered elevated with an aspartate aminotransferase level >275 u/L and/or an alanine transferase >250 u/L; for serum creatinine, a level > 4.5 mg/dL was considered elevated.
Other measures included dietary intake, physical activity, supplement compliance, and credibility/expectancy perceptions of the study treatment. To assess for changes over the 8-week study period, dietary intake was measured using 3-day food records completed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks and analyzed using NutriBase clinical data analysis software (http://www.nutribase.com/). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) [24] was administered at baseline, 2 weeks and 8 weeks to characterize any changes in usual activity level during the study period that could affect study outcomes. Supplement compliance was measured by capsule counts and self-report of percentage of capsules taken. Calculated compliance was defined as the percentage of prescribed doses taken from baseline through the 8-week study period. Since differences in participants' perceptions of credibility of the treatment rationale and their expectancy could confound the findings, we administered the credibility/expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ) to participants in both groups on the first and last days of the treatment [25].
2.5. Statistical Analysis
All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 16.0 (Chicago, IL). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. Nominal data were analyzed by the use of the chi-square test, whereas continuous data were analyzed by the use of Pearson's correlation analyses, independent sample -tests, and one-way analysis of variance. The data are presented as mean ± SD. A significance level of 0.05 was determined a priori.
3. Results
3.1. Study Population
Figure 2 depicts the screening, enrollment, and follow-up of participants in the trial. Of the 124 adults screened, a total of 53 met eligibility criteria and were enrolled in the study. Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to the glucomannan group and twenty-seven participants to the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in rates of discontinuation. Three participants in each group were either lost to follow-up or discontinued the study for personal reasons, resulting in a final sample of 47 participants.
Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups (Table 1). Participants were predominately female (~85%), represented a mix of racial and ethnic groups, and had a mean age of 40.6 years. For the 47 participants who completed the study, the calculated compliance was 81.3% ± 4.5% in the glucomannan group and 82.7% ± 5% in the placebo group.
3.2. Study Outcomes
For the primary outcome, there was no significant difference in the amount of weight loss between the participants in the glucomannan group and those in the placebo group at either two weeks (−.32 ± .04 and −.11 ± .02, resp.) or eight weeks (−.40 ± .06 and −.43 ± .07, resp.) after randomization (Table 2). Results of secondary efficacy outcomes are also shown in Table 2. There were no significant differences in body composition measures, hunger/fullness, and fasting lipid and glucose levels. Belching (13.4% versus 4.1%), bloating (12.7% versus 3.7%), and stomach fullness (11.9% versus 2.4%) occurred more frequently in participants on glucomannan than those on placebo, but these symptoms were transient, lasting for only 1-2 hours after taking glucomannan on the first 1–3 study days, and did not lead to study discontinuation. Hepatic and renal safety outcomes remained normal throughout the study and did not significantly differ between the control and treatment groups. Other measures, including dietary intake, physical activity, supplement compliance, and credibility/expectancy, also did not differ significantly between the groups.
4. Discussion
In our study, supplementation with glucomannan did not result in significant weight loss at either 2 or 8 weeks after randomization. Also, there was no evidence of benefit of glucomannan supplementation with respect to any of the secondary outcomes. This is in contrast to several other studies that have found beneficial effects of glucomannan on body weight, body composition, and plasma lipid and glucose levels [20, 26].
Several factors may explain our study's nonsignificant findings. Unlike previous studies, we enrolled only healthy overweight and moderately obese individuals consuming self-selected diets and maintaining usual physical activity levels. As noted by Sood et al. [20], the beneficial effects of glucomannan on weight loss may be enhanced by dietary modifications, such as hypocaloric diets. Additionally, past studies have focused on obese patients, so it is possible that glucomannan may exert differential effects on these individuals compared to the overweight or moderately obese (mean BMI = 31) participants in the present study.
The lack of body composition changes may be due to the absence of an exercise intervention as part of the study design. Other trials suggest that glucomannan in conjunction with resistance and endurance exercise is necessary to promote changes in body composition, including waist and hip circumference, fat mass, and fat-free mass [26].
We also found no changes in plasma lipid or glucose concentrations. A possible explanation is that we enrolled only healthy individuals and excluded those with dyslipidemia or elevated serum glucose. Thus, floor effects may have precluded detecting any effects of glucomannan on these parameters. Another possible explanation is the lack of weight loss in our sample and its effects on these parameters [19].
Irregular eating patterns also may provide an explanation for our results. Rather than eating 3 meals, many participants reported that they "grazed" throughout the day and ate the majority of their calories in the evening, possibly circumventing our dosing schedule of 2 capsules one hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Similarly, irregular eating patterns may explain the lack of difference in hunger and fullness sensations between the two groups. To effectively coordinate dosing and eating schedules, a more tailored or individualized approach should be considered.
While the dosage (3.99 g/day) of glucomannan used in our study was similar to or at the lower range of those used in other studies, a higher dosage of glucomannan should be tested in future studies. Of special interest would be whether higher doses of glucomannan might be more effective in this population. Ten grams of soluble fiber per day is considered the maximum practical dose [27].
Three limitations of this trial should be considered. First, our final sample size () was relatively modest. Given the type II error that can occur with small sample sizes, this might be a possible explanation for lack of treatment effects. Second, the moderate duration of our study did not permit either long-term safety or efficacy evaluation. Glucomannan was generally well tolerated and liver enzymes and serum creatinine levels remained favorable during the 8-week study period; however, few studies have examined the long-term safety of glucomannan, and this should be a focus of future trials since extended use may impact intestinal absorption of key nutrients, particularly fat-soluble vitamins, carotenoids, and phytosterols. Similarly, glucomannan may be more beneficial over the long term when used with healthy overweight and moderately obese individuals. Third, we relied on self-report and capsule counts to monitor compliance. While participants in both groups reported a slightly greater than 80% compliance rate, it is possible that physiologic measures of compliance such as end product metabolites of glucomannan coupled with the use of electronic capsule monitoring systems would have resulted in more precise measures of compliance. In addition to phone and e-mail reminders, other technological measures to improve compliance such as text message reminders and tweets would be of interest in future studies.
5. Conclusions
In summary, glucomannan supplements (3.99 g daily) were well tolerated but did not promote weight loss in overweight and moderately obese individuals consuming self-selected diets and maintaining usual physical activity patterns. Other outcomes such as body composition, hunger/fullness, and lipid and glucose parameters also were not significantly altered. These results are inconsistent with the results of previous studies. Given the growing epidemic of obesity, additional studies to assess the safety and efficacy of this widely used alternative weight loss approach are needed. Future trials should evaluate glucomannan using larger numbers of participants, longer study follow-up periods, flexible dosing schedules, and higher dosages and should continue to include diverse populations of overweight and obese individuals.
This study was funded by the Roberts Trust Fund, Chicago, IL.
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*Come and enjoy elevated & premium wines exclusively for Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty Guests!
**Enjoy a complimentary cheese board!
All of our special guests will receive a VIP Card with a20% discount for bottle service reservations.
Starting at 5 P.M. at Revival at Kimpton Sawyer located at:
500 J St, Sacramento CA 95814.
* No Host Event

subset: commoncrawl


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Whisky Tasting Set - Medium - Angels' Share Spirits Glass
Here at Angels' Share Glass®, we like our whisky to be perfect, and our unique Whisky Diluting Dropper is the ideal tool for adding just a drop of water to your dram for sheer perfection in a glass.
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We use actual whisky barrel staves the grain and colours may vary in the oak. This will also include ring marks and charring.


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There's a high chance of rain at some point during this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
It's rained on the Malaysian race once before – in 2001 – and it produced a cracking race. Here are a few videos of one of Michael Schumacher's best wins.
Michael Schumacher takes pole
In the second race of 2001 Michael Schumacher found himself fighting off the threat from a resurgent Williams team. His early mark of 1'36.282 (above) was beaten by brother Ralf who set a 1'35.511.
Schumacher sealed pole with a 1'35.220 with team mate Rubens Barrichello joining him on the front row of the grid. Last year Felipe Massa's pole position time (with fuel) was a 1'35.043 – which goes to show how little lap times have changed in the past seven years as the FIA have fought to constrain cornering speeds.
Ralf's race ruined
Ralf nosed ahead of Barrichello at the start but the Ferrari driver wouldn't give up the position and the pair touched. The Williams spun in a spray of tyre smoke as the on-rushing pack dived around him.
Halfway around the second lap Olivier Panis's Honda engine belched out a lick of flame and he retired. At the same time a rainstorm blew across the circuit and as the leading Ferraris hit the mix of water and Panis's engine oil they flew off the circuit at speed.
Both drivers re-joined the track having fallen down the field. But now all the cars were heading into the pits as the rain grew heavier – and the safety car was deployed.
Ferrari brought both cars in at once and if it looked like a blunder it was actually a smart strategic move. Having fallen to the back of the pack they had plenty of time to figure out which tyres they should pick. Both cars were sent out on intermediates which, again, looked like madness, as cars were spinning off the flooded track, but proved a classic Ross Brawn master stroke.
The track dried very quickly and the safety car spent a long time at the head of the field. Within a few laps of the restart the Ferraris were scything through the pack (Schumacher having upset Barrichello by wasting no time in barging past his team mate) back to the head of the field.
The other star of the race was Jos Verstappen. At the restart he dived past Heinz-Harald Frentzen into second place and kept the Arrows in the hunt for points until the dying stages, until he was passed by Mika Hakkinen for sixth.
"It wasn't boring"
After the race Schumacher admitted he'd thought his hopes of winning had died when he went off on lap three…


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Zinedine Zidane accepted his Real Madrid contract "means nothing" as his side's troubles continued with a 2-2 home draw against second-tier Numancia in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Madrid progressed 5-2 on aggregate thanks to their 3-0 first-leg win, but that victory remains the only success in their last four matches.
Numancia striker Guillermo started on the bench but came on as a first-half substitute to score a pair of equalisers and cancel out two Lucas Vazquez strikes as Zidane's men stumbled again.
Madrid were also held at home by lower-tier opposition in the last round, Fuenlabrada having taken advantage of Zidane's under-strength selection by claiming a 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And with Madrid a gigantic 16 points adrift of Barcelona in La Liga, having been held at Celta Vigo on Sunday and after last month's 3-0 thumping at home to their Clasico rivals, Zidane acknowledged his position has weakened.
"I just go game to game, year to year," said Zidane, who agreed a new Madrid deal in September.
"I cannot think two or three years down the line, as I know how it is here, even having a contract, which means nothing.
"It is not easy for the players who play less. We played a good game. We maybe lacked a bit of gas at the end."
Two goals from @Lucasvazquez91 helped us progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Check out some of the best photos of the night... #RMCopa | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/VmN40ncOi1— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 10, 2018
Vazquez's first double in 109 appearances for the club was a rare bright spark in another game where Madrid lacked cohesion, purpose and energy.
But Zidane, who made 10 changes from the 2-2 draw in Vigo when they gave up another lead, claimed to be satisfied with the performance of his young team, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric among the stars left out.
"I am happy with what the players did," Zidane added.
"The pity is the goal before half-time, and also a goal at the end. But apart from that we had a good game, and they did what they had to do.
"For me, we are recovering things and we will [recover] with my players and staying relaxed, without problems.
"All the questions, things you think about bad play or whatever, it could be. But we are convinced we will move forward.
"I am happy with those who played. I am satisfied across the two games, and the players are too."
Madrid return to the pitch with a league match against Valencia on Saturday.


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Hog Island--Way Group No. 1 East from Main Wharf
- Related Essay
- From Wetland to Urban Land: A Social and Environmental History of Philadelphia's Tidal Islands
- Street Address
- Hog Island
- Date Created
- December 2 1917
- Description
- Caption: "Way Group No. 1 East from Main Wharf." Note on back of photo reads: Laying foundations for 50 ship ways at Government ship plant at Hog Island.
- Contributing Institution
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Collection
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Record Photograph Collection (V7: 2780 /1917-1945/ Philadelphia- Hog Island)
- This Item Is Unavailable For Purchase


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Michael Stark has been leading educational change efforts for over 25 years in the UK and abroad. His most recent endeavor is as the founder of Educators International which developed the Phonics by Phone teacher education course. Below Michael shared with us how this organization and program came to be and what their impact has been since their launch.
I have been working abroad almost all my life. My very first job was as Desk Officer for Ghana in the British Foreign Office. From that experience to my work 35 years later setting up permanent pre-schools built by and for nomadic communities in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia, I have always been interested in promoting sustainable changes that transform educational outcomes for all children. This is a key goal that unites us at Educators International (EI) –a passionate belief that every child and young person in the world should get a decent education, including as an absolute minimum acquiring the ability to read, write and understand numbers. Shamefully, for most children, that still does not happen. Reading is a universal human right but across sub-Saharan Africa according to EGRA data, typically no more than 5- 10% of children can read fluently by age 10–even after regular school attendance for five years; the equivalent figures across developed countries are all above 87%. This is where EI's programs Phonics by Phone, Maths by Phone and Assessment by Phone come in.
Having led at the UK Department the introduction of phonics based literacy training, and above all teacher-led oral assessment-across every primary school in England, and having seen the dramatic impact these changes brought (with the UK moving from bottom quartile in the OECD to top quartile in a period of just over a decade), I wanted to see how we could get these techniques into the hands of educators in the very poorest countries of the world. Phonics by Phone is the first-ever comprehensive programme that trains teachers (and parents) in developing countries to teach reading using phonics systematically using the power of a mobile phone to record and replay sounds accurately. It also is the first-ever literacy training programme available to download from the internet on a mobile phone. Not just on the latest smartphones–but even on basic feature phones, which in Africa and Asia are all many teachers' budgets will allow for. And best of all, it's completely free.
The Phonics by Phone program of 108 audio-video podcasts – available for free download from www.phonicsbyphone.org – has been developed from scratch by Educators International. Together these units form a complete training course for teachers in the use of phonics– which is proven to be the best way to teach every child in every class to read and write. We start with the child's mother tongue and build towards English with a series of bridges and canals. A bridge, for example, would be the sound "/s/" as "sun" or at the end of the word "bus." People have yet to identify a language that does not contain that sounds of "/s/" therefore it is always a bridge. The second sound that we teach is "/a/" as a vowel. "/a/" is used in almost every African language and most sub-continent languages but in China they do not use "/a/" so we would consider that sound a canal. Also in Spanish, where they do not use the same "/a/" sound, this would be considered a canal because the pronunciation is significantly different. Marking it on the teaching aid as a canal alerts the teacher to the need to go into this carefully, modelling numerous examples to highlight the differences, and listening and correcting students until the correct version becomes embedded knowledge. Educators International counts on a team of highly experienced professional volunteer trainers who guide teachers in how to implement these practices which replicate the behaviour of parents when teaching their very young child their own language.
Ghanaian classroom where Phonics by Phone is being implemented by the classroom teacher (Photo courtesy of Florentine Ansah-Asare, Edify Ghana)
At the same time we developed Assessment by Phone, a system of randomized individual assessments calibrated to the USAID-funded Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA – and its math equivalent EGMA) to track progress. While the normal practice in USAID-funded projects is to use this test externally (administered by outsiders to the school, at most once a year and only testing 2-3% percent of the students as a sample, we have found incredible benefit from using it internally, with teachers themselves assessing every student in their class several times a year – just as it is done in the UK and many other developed countries. In that way, teachers know from the very beginning what students do and do not know and can target those skills. In addition, by applying it relatively every week, students can also see their progress and be encouraged by their growth over time. Looking at the data from everywhere we have worked, we have never seen less than 200% growth of our scores and in some cases 300% growth of the average performance of each child by the end of the first year.
Ghanaian teachers modeling assessment session during training.
(Photo courtesy of Edify Ghana)
The teachers discover by the midline of the year that they have achieved astonishing results with their students. They say to themselves "Well, that did not take me much effort, I think I am going to see if I cannot get every student to reach the top levels." As a result, the gradient of their achievement actually steepens between the midline and the endline. In most programs, we tend to see the reverse because educators are in the hard grind of consistency and maintaining results as well as trying to support students who are still struggling. Overall we have seen that their success with Phonics by Phone moves so many of our teachers into another gear of professional satisfaction. Seeing as many have been dragged down by in a system that did not allow them any autonomy or afford them any personal growth, this experience to see change brings them a lot of joy.
Ghanaian children working on phonics lessons.
(Photos courtesy of Adwoa Nyantakyiwaa, Edify Ghana)
Phonics by Phone, Maths by Phone and Assessment by Phone, which started in Ghana, have spread across four continents: Africa (Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Liberia and potentially Rwanda), South America (Colombia), the Pacific (Fiji, Samoa and potentially other islands), and Asia (Nepal and potentially Cambodia and Bangladesh) we are also discussing and scoping opportunities in China and several other countries. Our model is "move in, move out" once a country becomes self-sustaining. In Ghana, this happened after we had reached over 700 teachers. A key aspect of this approach is that our team does not just sit in an office in London and measure local results, but we invest in teachers and communities and stay highly connected and in touch. We look forward to continuing to spread this impact while ensuring we nurture and support these already established relationships which have taught us so much!
Liberia at a Phonics by Phone training: Essa Sheriff, Edify Education Specialist with Educator International trainers Mandekh Hussein and Sir Alasdair Macdonald
Photo courtesy of Edify Liberia
The photos in this blog are from schools in Liberia and Ghana where Phonics by Phone (PbP) is currently being implemented by an NGO we work with called Edify. The evaluation results from last year's pilot in Ghana were so dramatic, that we recommended to Edify that PbP be implemented in numerous other nations in which the NGO works.
During our interview we also learned an interesting story about Michael, that after living in Namibia for three years, he traveled back to the UK by land, primarily by local buses but sometimes by trains, boats, camels, donkeys and plenty on foot. What an experience and a global world traveler. Thank you Michael for sharing with us your story of education leadership and we wish you lots of success!
Thanks for reading!
Paula and Maxie


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February and meatloaf go together. Especially when there are mashed potatoes involved.
This recipe for meatloaf is a solid winner. But what makes it extra special is the mini aspect. Cute little ramekins create a fun presentation while also giving the mini loaf a wonderful exterior texture. The seasoned tomato topper is fantastic.
Serve with a simple chive studded mash for the ultimate comfort meal.
Mini Meatloaves
4 tsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
50g/1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
175ml passata or tomato purée
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
500g lean ground beef
2 tsp thyme leaves
2 plum tomatoes, halved
1 tsp sugar
1. Preheat oven to 200℃/400℉.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and carrot and cook for 10 minutes, until softened. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. To the bowl, add the breadcrumbs, 5 tablespoons of the passata, Worcestershire sauce, egg, beef, half the thyme and some salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. Brush 4 large ramekins or 6 muffin tins with the remaining oil. Press the beef mixture into them, then pour the remaining passata over the top. Top each with a tomato half, sprinkle with a pinch of sugar, salt, pepper and the remaining thyme.
5. Bake for 50 minutes until cooked through. Serve with Chive Mash.
Serves 4 to 6
Chive Mash
4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 Tbs butter
100ml milk
Salt and pepper
Small bunch of snipped chives
1. Boil potatoes for 15 minutes in salted water until tender. Drain and return to the pan.
2. Mash the potatoes with butter and milk. Season to taste then fold in the chives.
Recipes from BBC Good Food Magazine
Copenhagen-based Lust For Youth have a new album 'Compassion' due out in March. "Stardom" has a comforting familiarness to the moody synth of years ago.
Check out Lust For Youth on Facebook where you can learn of upcoming world tour dates. You can buy their music on Bandcamp.


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Southern Caucasian Antique Rug
3' 10" x 7' 6" (117cm x 229cm) Circa 1875
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GENDJE, Southern Caucasian
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Prodigious clarity of motifs and a profoundly elemental palette of mature natural colors immediately distinguish this stellar 140-year old Caucasian Gendje antique rug. Tremendously robust and graphic zigzag borders create an atmosphere of vibrant energy that is heightened by their simplicity. The design of this standout among antique tribal rugs is continually enhanced by deeply personal, inventive touches, such as the intentional misalignment of bands in its lower section and selective, evocative use of abrash color accents in even the tiniest latchhook motif. Extremely good pile condition adds to the brightness and immediacy of this wide-ranging, masterful exploration of color.
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Choose your path and battle through a sprawling master-crafted world featuring some of the most intense, responsive, and customizable RPG combat ever.
The minds of New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion lead designer Ken Rolston have combined to create Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, a new role-playing game set in a world worth saving. Build the character you've always wanted and continuously evolve it to your style of play with the revolutionary Destiny system. Choose your path and battle through a master-crafted universe featuring some of the most intense, responsive, and customizable RPG combat ever.
A Massive World to Explore, Filled with Epic Fiction and Rich Storytelling
Uncover the secrets of Amalur in hundreds of hours of gameplay, from the vibrant city of Rathir to the vast region of Dalentarth to the grim dungeons of the Brigand Hall Caverns.
Rescue a world torn apart by a vicious war and control the keys to immortality as the first warrior ever to be resurrected from the grips of death. Turn your lack of a destiny to your advantage and harness fate as a weapon.
Explore deep levels of lore in a universe steeped in 10,000 years of fiction created by New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore.
Intense Action Combat
Customize your play in a dynamic combat system that delivers some of the most intense and responsive action ever seen in an RPG.
Seamlessly integrate magical and melee attacks as you take on scores of enemies in grand fight sequences and finish them off with brutal Fateshift kills.
Choose Your Destiny With Customizable Classes
Build the character you've always wanted with the revolutionary new Destiny system that allows you to continuously evolve your character class to your style of play.
Create and modify your hero with millions of combinations of skills, abilities, weapons and pieces of armor.
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Remembering Mac Miller and the rise of drug overdoses
Sept. 7, 2018 -- The world was presented with the shocking news that rapper Mac Miller died at the age of 26. Many thoughts and prayers were shared all across the world as further news revealed that Miller had succumbed to an apparent drug overdose.
Miller -- who's real name was Malcolm McCormick -- had a dream just like any other kid. He was born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, where he first got his start in music. He began rapping in his early teens, putting out his own music and collaborating with other musicians where he lived.
He released three mixtapes by the time he signed with his first record label in 2010. From there, Miller's career began to really take off. Selling out concert venues all across the world, Miller released a total of five studio albums in his time in the spotlight.
Miller's personal life was just as big a conversation as his musical career. Notably, Miller's two-year relationship with fellow singer Ariana Grande caught the attention of many media outlets. The two called it quits back in May 2018.
His struggle with drug abuse was also poignant during his time in the headlines. Miller had previously uncovered that he used drugs to cope with the stress of touring and his new-found fame. The primary drug of choose which Miller struggled with the most was lean: a mixture of prescription strength cough medicines that consist of the drugs codeine and promethazine. Miller talked about other struggles with drugs, such as cocaine, and was arrested for a DUI in May 2018.
While it has not been revealed what drug caused the overdose, fans and others rose up in support and shared in the mourning of this young star.
Death by drug overdose has risen over the past decade and there does not seem to be a stop in the near future. The music community experienced a similar scare this past July when singer Demi Lovato was rushed to the hospital after a drug overdose.
Fortunately, Lovato pulled through and entered rehab after the incident, but this comes after her relapse after being six years sober. Lovato also credits mental health as a reason to seeking out drugs, much like Miller.
Hollywood is no stranger to drug addictions and losing talent to their demons. Names like Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died of drug addictions at the age of 27. Heath Ledger and Corey Monteith both died before reaching age 35, and Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston died of drug overdose before they were 50.
The passing of Mac Miller marks the end of an era for the rapping community. Unfortunately, if the trend continues, Miller will not be the last great name to join the list of celebrity overdoses.
If there is one thing to learn from this tragedy, it is that society must put more emphasis on mental health care. More advanced and readily available treatments for mental health should be presented to try and limit people's drive to harmful drugs.


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Edit:This giveaway has now ended. But perhaps Oprah and Suze will do another one someday!
Thanks to Madame X for the heads-up on this. Suze Orman has been on Oprah recently and now Oprah is giving away a free PDF download of her new book Women and Money until 2/14 at 8pm Central Standard Time.
This link takes you to the download page, just scroll down and choose the English option. You need free Adobe reader to read it, of course.
You can keep the book on your computer, print it, whatever. She just asks that you don't send it to other people. While the book is for women, it might be useful for men to read it as well—so they understand the pressures, etc, for women in their lives.
I got my copy, though I don't plan to read it quite yet.


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Monday, January 01, 0001
CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has established a hotline for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina who have come to the Cincinnati area and need medical care.
Families of children who need primary care; referral to a community pediatrician; treatment for a chronic condition, such as asthma or diabetes; treatment for a non-emergency mental health need; or have any other non–emergency medical need can call 513-636-2500 from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays. These children will receive priority as Cincinnati Children's coordinates their care.
Displaced families whose children need emergency care should call either 911 or bring their children to the Cincinnati Children's Emergency Department. For emergency mental health needs, call 513-558-8888.
Cincinnati Children's setup this hotline to connect families to a medical home as long as they are in the Cincinnati area and to ensure that those children with special health-care needs do not have to go on a waiting list to receive care. The hotline will remain in place indefinitely.
Cincinnati Children's also has approximately 150 employees who stand ready to travel to the Gulf area to assist in relief efforts if requested to do so by authorities who are already on the ground and coordinating onsite efforts. These employees include physicians, nurses and administrative staff.
Cincinnati Children's is a 423-bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to transforming the way health care is delivered by providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, family-centered, equitable and safe. It ranks third nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health.


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The Big Fat Cypriot Turkish Wedding Story of Cenk & Bahire, by Turkish Wedding Photographer Peter Lane
The North London Turkish Cypriot community often calls me – The Turkish Wedding Photographer of London, and as a wedding photographer we meet a lot of people, listen to their stories, dreams and worries.
We're always happy to photograph or film in the beautiful wedding venue – Braxted Park in Essex. When Cenk & Bahire visited us and shared their wedding plans we were so excited. Especially happy that the whole wedding will take place in one location, which is a guarantee for lots of beautiful photos and peace of mind for bride and groom.
As a wedding photographer I was glad to have a mountain of time for the preps shots, applying different techniques and lighting setups. Such a stress free and relaxed couple, pleasure to work with.
The weather was nice and bright, no rain at all, allowing us to explore the beautiful estate and having the ceremony outdoor.
Spending the day with the couple was a blessing. We were highly honoured to document their big day.
Food and catering – 5 stars, carefully organised by Yusuf and his Complete Wedding Services team. Nice looking, fresh and plenty.
Braxted park wedding team was very cooperative keeping everything on time and sharing ideas and advices how to make the photo shoots smooth and quick.
It was pleasure to work with Mario wedding videographer from TVP weddings, can't wait to see the video.
Dear couple, it was an amazing Cypriot Turkish wedding, we truly enjoyed and wish you long life and all the happiness in the world!


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Beatboxing String Trio Infinitus announces tuition-free training camp for string players, Thrive City String Boot Camp, August 8-19, 2017 in British Columbia, Canada
Infinitus will perform with the Lincoln Center Education series December 7-9, capping their 10th year of education outreach with over 1,000 performances for students
For Immediate Release – November 14, 2016 – Vancouver-based string trio Infinitus, a group known for infusing their classical performances with beatboxing, hip-hop/Latin/jazz influences, and their own original compositions, are proud to announce the first tuition-free season of their acclaimed Thrive City String Boot Camp, an intensive 2-week retreat for string players based in the greater Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. Applications will be available in early January 2017 online at ThriveCityMusic.com (Application Deadline: March 31, 2017).
Infinitus – made up of violinist John "Adidam" Littlejohn, violist Anthony Cheung and cellist Alex Cheung – will participate on the Lincoln Center's "Meet the Artist" series, performing for New York City students December 7-9 at the Bruno Walter Auditorium, and in NYC area schools December 5-6th. The group began playing education shows in 2006, and have given over 1000 performances for students in the ten years since.
Thrive City String Academy, Infinitus' first music camp, launched in 2009 in the midst of the recession, with a commitment to offering an opportunity for inner-city string players – especially underprivileged students from inner cities – to gain free intensive performance training in a nurturing environment. In 2011 the camp has moved to British Columbia and transformed into the Thrive City String Boot Camp, serving students from privileged and underprivileged backgrounds with a sliding-scale tuition, based on how much the students could afford. Since 2009 the Infinitus has worked with over 700 students from all around the North America.
Infinitus' charismatic personalities and engaging, cross-genre musical vision make them ideally suited for working with students. Says Littlejohn: "The first Thrive City Camp was born during the recession, and now we're entering into a time when music education is more important than ever. We're overjoyed to be able to offer the camp free of charge to young students who don't have other opportunities to learn, or who – like me back in the day – get lost in the back of the room and just need to be pulled out and given some private attention."
Littlejohn is also planning to release a new solo album The Caterpillar Chronicles, with a recently-launched Indiegogo campaign for pre-orders: https://igg.me/at/CaterpillarChronicles
Infinitus Official Website
Thrive City String Boot Camp Official Website
John "Adidam" Littlejohn Official Website
NPR's All Things Considered on Thrive City String Boot Camp
Lincoln Center Education Official Website


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Document › Details
Varex Imaging Corporation. (5/1/17). "Press Release: Varex Imaging Completes Acquisition of PerkinElmer's Medical Imaging Business". Salt Lake City, UT.
|Santa Clara, CA
|United States (USA)
|Varex Imaging Corporation (Nasdaq: VREX)
|Varex Imaging (Group)
|Organisation 2
|PerkinElmer (Group)
|imaging technology (diagnostics)
|Product 2
|X-ray technology
|Index term
|PerkinElmerVarex Imaging: investment, 201612201705 acquisition $276m cash of PEs medical imaging business by Varex Imaging (Varian Medical Systems)
Varex Imaging Corporation (Nasdaq: VREX) announced today it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the Medical Imaging business of PerkinElmer, Inc. (NYSE: PKI) for $276 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments.
The acquired business develops, manufactures and sells digital detectors that are key components in medical and industrial X-ray imaging systems made by global OEM manufacturers. It is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and has operations in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, which combined have approximately 280 employees. This acquisition is expected to add approximately $140 million in annual sales and Varex believes it will be transformative to the company's digital detector operations, enabling the company to increase innovation, leverage its manufacturing scale and expand its cost leadership position.
"We are very excited about the opportunities and prospects of adding this imaging expertise into the Varex organization. I want to welcome our new employees to Varex and I look forward to having the combined team focused on integrating our operations to achieve our goal of producing the broadest, most cost-effective portfolio of components for the imaging industry," said Sunny Sanyal, Chief Executive Officer of Varex Imaging Corporation.
The leader of Varex's combined imaging detector business will be Dr. Brian Giambattista, Varex's newly appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager, X-ray Detectors. Brian provides strong leadership and continuity for this business, as he served as President of the PerkinElmer Medical Imaging business since 2008. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, having held various management and engineering roles at PerkinElmer and General Electric, and received his doctorate degree in Physics from the University of Virginia. Rick Colbeth, who held this Varex role prior to completion of the acquisition, will become Varex's Senior Vice President of Engineering, X-ray Detectors.
"This imaging business is highly complementary to Varex's imaging detector business and has a similar financial profile. Customer overlap is minimal and we see revenue and cost synergy opportunities that we expect to achieve over time," Sanyal added. "Some of these opportunities include: adding new digital detector technology to the Varex product portfolio; significant new cross-selling opportunities for X-ray imaging solutions; leveraging combined volumes to gain manufacturing productivity; and further expansion in the Industrial imaging market," he stated.
In connection with closing this transaction, Varex replaced its prior credit facility with a larger $600 million credit facility consisting of a $400 million five-year term loan and a $200 million revolving line of credit. Varex used $207 million to repay existing debt and $286 million for the acquisition and related credit facility fees. Bank of America Merrill Lynch served as Left Lead Bookrunner for this new credit facility.
Varex will discuss this acquisition in greater detail during the company's second quarter results teleconference scheduled for later this week on May 4, 2017.
About Varex Imaging
Varex Imaging Corporation is a leading innovator, designer and manufacturer of X-ray imaging components, which include tubes, digital flat panel detectors and other image processing solutions, which are key components of X-ray imaging systems. With a 65+ year history of successful innovation, Varex's components are used in medical imaging as well as in industrial and security imaging applications. Global OEM manufacturers of X-ray imaging systems use the company's X-ray sources, digital detectors, connecting devices and imaging software as components in their systems to detect, diagnose and protect. Varex employs approximately 1,800 people, including the employees from PerkinElmer, located at manufacturing and service center sites in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Varex, visit vareximaging.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning industry or market outlook; the impact of the acquisition of the PerkinElmer medical imaging business on the company's financial results; growth drivers; customer demand and acceptance of products or technology; the company's future orders, revenues, product volumes, or earnings growth or other financial results or performance; the ability of the company's technology and products to achieve stated results or outcomes; and any statements using the terms "continue," "enable," "potential," "goal," "expect," "prospect," "future," "anticipate," "will," "could," "believe," or similar statements are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include the ability to effectively integrate the products of PerkinElmer's Medical Imaging business into the company's product offerings and sales and marketing operations, recognize the intended benefits of the acquisition, and retain the services of key acquired personnel; global economic conditions; demand for and delays in delivery of products of the company, PerkinElmer's Medical Imaging business or their respective customers; the company's ability to develop, commercialize and deploy new products; the impact of reduced or limited demand by purchasers of certain X-ray products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; and the other risks listed from time to time in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which by this reference are incorporated herein. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this release because of new information, future events, or otherwise.
For Information Contact:
Howard Goldman
Director of Investor & Public Relations
Varex Imaging Corporation
801.978.5274 | email@example.com
Record changed: 2023-06-05
More documents for Varex Imaging (Group)
- [1] PerkinElmer, Inc.. (5/1/17). "Press Release: PerkinElmer Completes Sale of Medical Imaging Business to Varex Imaging". Waltham, MA....
- [2] Varex Imaging Corporation. (2/13/17). "Press Release: Varex Imaging to Participate in Two Upcoming Investor Conferences". Salt Lake City, UT....
- [3] Varex Imaging Corporation. (1/30/17). "Press Release: Varex Imaging Completes Separation from Varian Medical Systems, Lists on the Nasdaq Stock Market". Salt Lake City, UT....
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By the way, every time I actually try to calculate how many days there are until football season starts, I get confused. Should I be counting down to gameday, or to the day before gameday? And which one of those two am I already doing? And what about the fact that the game starts at 6 PM? Point is, I really friggin suck at math. Even addition and subtraction.
Days Left Til Football Season: 16
One Less Day Til Football Season, Post 8: Special Teams
Who did it last year?: Last year's special teams strategy (as designed by special teams coach Pat Fitzgerald) was, like, "hey, have you seen this guy Stefan Demos kick stuff with his legs and feet? He's good at it! We should have him do it a lot!" So he did. Demos kicked all 25 of NU's field goals, 36 of 37 extra points, all 53 of our punts, and 69 out of 70 of our kickoffs. Do the math. That's 183 times in 12 games where Stefan Demos had to kick his leg really hard at something. I'm not sure if legs get really tired after kicking things a lot - judging from soccer, nah - but, damn. That's a lot of kicking stuff. I mean, if you think about it, every Northwestern possession - except those that ended in turnovers - featured either one or two kicks by Demos - one if they punted or scored and went for a two-point conversion, two if they scored and needed an extra point and then a kickoff. That's a lot of damn work. For the most part, he was a good kicker: he started out fine, hitting his first nine field goals of the year, and 14-of-16, with the two misses being blocks. He'd hit two game-winning field goals - against Eastern Michigan as time expired from 49 yards, and against Indiana with less than a minute to go from a tough angle. But as the year wore on, he had two horrific games kicking: against Illinois - not having missed a non-blocked field goal all year - he went 0/3, missing from 47, 50, and, surprisingly, 31. It was a sign of things to come: against Auburn, his poor kicking nearly cost the team the game in regulation, then did cost them the game in overtime: he went 0/2 in regulation, missing a potential game-winner, and missed an extra point that forced NU to go for two in the game's closing minutes. And in overtime, he clanged an additional kick off the upright that doesn't get reflected in his official statsheet because there was a penalty on the play. I'm recounting all this to make the point that for the most part, Demos was a great kicker - just two big collapses - one of them very costly.
As a punter, he was just bad. After averaging a passable 40.1 and 39 yards-per-punt in his first two years, when he was given placekicking and kickoff duties as well last year, his punting work truly suffered, dropping to 35-yards per punt, with his longest punt of the whole year a measly 47 yards. His rugby-style punting has never been popular among the NU fanbase - it rarely goes over 40 yards, and caused only one accidental turnover by the other team.
Who's got next?: Demos is still the kicker - his injury suffered in the Outback Bowl wasn't serious enough to put him out for this year - but Brandon Williams, who walked on to the team midway through last season, will become NU's punter. He has no game experience, but in spring game warmups, I watched him punt, and, well, he doesn't rugby-style the ball much and he can kick it reasonably far. I also wouldn't be surprised to see somebody else take over kickoff duties: NU has two other kickers on roster: Steve Flaherty and Jeff Budzien, and, in the interest of lessening Demos' role and letting him focus on placekicking, if I were coach, I'd have one of these two take a role as kickoff specialist. Flaherty kicked one last year, and it was a touchback, while Demos did that 12 times in 69 tries, and managed to kick it out of bounds seven times, so, I like my ratios here.
Is that an improvement?: I haven't seen Brandon Williams kick in any game situation, but I already know this is an improvement. Giving Demos three jobs last year was too much for one man to handle. Not that he's not a good kicker: he's not in line to be a potential all-Big Ten kicker for nothing. It's just preposterous to expect one guy to do three very different things and be as good as he can be at all of them. Demos was never a great punter, but became worse last year, and I feel his kicking game suffered too. This year, he'll be focused, Williams will be focused - and probably slightly better - as a punter, and if we get a kickoff specialist, they'll probably improve at that as the year goes on as well, and give them some game experience to make them more comfortable performing in real action. After all, we all get the sense that while kicking is tough, there's a freakish amount of mental fortitude required to stay focused with such a thin line between being a hero and a goat. Give one man one job, and things will improve.


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For Immediate Release, August 2, 2007
Chris Kassar, Center for Biological Diversity, (520) 609-7685
Don Hoffman, Rangers for Responsible Recreation, (928) 339-4426
Kevin Gaither-Banchoff, Arizona Wilderness Coalition, (520) 326-4300
Off-road Vehicles Violate Wilderness Act:
Intrusion into Escudilla Wilderness Results in Citation
ALPINE, Ariz.— On July 14, 2007, two men were cited for intrusion into the Escudilla Wilderness on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest after they were caught riding off-road vehicles in the protected area. A forest law-enforcement officer contacted them on the main Escudilla Trail, and entrance tracks were noted heading up Tool Box Draw past a sign delineating the area as a Wilderness Area.
Escudilla, the third-highest mountain in Arizona, was designated "wilderness" by Congress in 1984 and thereby closed to motorized travel. Each year thousands of hikers and horse riders visit Escudilla Wilderness to enjoy its fragile alpine meadows, vibrant stands of aspen and magnificent views.
"If this violation proves true, it is a clear violation of congressionally sanctioned protections, and we commend the Forest Service for its prompt action against this intrusion into a wilderness area," said Chris Kassar, wildlife biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity. "This is exactly the type of illegal and irresponsible behavior that affirms the importance of the Service's effort to rein in off-road abuse through its travel management planning process."
The Apache-Sitgreaves is in the midst of travel management planning as required by the national Travel Management Rule of 2005, which requires every forest in the nation to designate and map a system of routes, trails and areas where off-road use will be permitted. The rule is intended to close forests to indiscriminate cross-country travel and permit off-road use only on designated routes. Conservation groups are participating in the process to preserve important forest values, including native plant and wildlife habitat, clean water and quiet recreation opportunities.
"I was shocked to discover ORV tracks within inches of a sign indicating the area was closed to motorized vehicles," said Dave Denali, a Nutrioso resident who frequently hikes in Escudilla Wilderness. "Upon returning home I immediately contacted the local Forest law-enforcement officer, and I was pleased to learn that the individuals had been caught and cited. The officer indicated that the violators stated they were part of a local group looking for routes to open up the wilderness to ORVs."
Irresponsible off-road use in northern Arizona was specifically cited by the U.S. Forest Service in the draft Travel Management Rule as among the worst in the nation for the documented spread of noxious weeds, erosion, disturbance to wildlife, degradation to sight and sound, as well as a source of conflict with other recreationists.
"The fact that ORV users are willfully disregarding the law shows the need for more stringent regulations and an increased emphasis on law enforcement," said Don Hoffman, a former Forest Service Recreation manager and member of Rangers for Responsible Recreation. "The Service is now in a position to designate a motorized route system that minimizes ecological damage and one small enough that it has the resources to monitor, maintain and enforce."
"We are hopeful that the Apache-Sitgreaves will continue to take proper action to prevent further incursions into Wilderness and other protected areas," added Kevin Gaither-Banchoff, executive director for the Arizona Wilderness Coalition. "Getting ORVs and other abuses under control so Arizona's beautiful wild places remain that way could be one of the most important issues the Forest Service tackles in the coming decade."
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Best 5×10 Grow Tents – What You Need to Know About Them?
Do you have a passion for growing plants at home, and are considering gardening? This being your plan, you should try to get the right tools for this undertaking. One of the items that you should include on your bucket list is a grow tent. Most people have already appreciated the benefit of indoor planting. In fact, it has changed the way people all over the world grow their plants at home. This method has revolutionized the process and made it both fun and more convenient for people fond of planting out there.
Once you purchase a grow tent, you can trust that you will manage to grow any plant of your preference. The good news is that your plants will be able to grow well, and the result will put a smile on your face. Therefore, you will be in a position to get most of your expectations throughout the year. Hard weather conditions will not create a hindrance to receiving the quality that you have been dreaming about. Most plants that are grown in these tents usually get the best circumstances that foster their growth like sunlight, temperature, and so on.
I am passionate about growing cannabis and have quite the experience in the field. While looking for the perfect tent to grow my herb, I have done thorough research about them, read tons of reviews, and even window-shopped to examine the best 5×10 grow tent for marijuana.
This article will elaborate more on various 5 x 10 grow tents on the market, and then show you what differentiates them. It will also reveal the amount of light and the number of plants that you should put in your grow tent. So, you'll have an idea of what works best for you after reading this review.
Top 5 Best 5×10 Grow Tents for Indoor Planting
You must be eager to know the best 5×10 grow tents out there on the market. However, before you make a move to invest in any of them, you should consider that these tents are not the same. They all have varying features that set them apart. The products might function in almost a similar way, but each of them has unique features. Different manufacturers have included different characteristics in all these grow tents, and this is what makes them differ in terms of price.
Some of the features that set these tents apart include size, durability, energy efficiency, number of ventilation flaps, ability to control pests, and so on. This article will review all these various grow tents in a bid to enable you to choose the best item for you. Due to this comprehensive information, you will be able to get the best value for your money as your purpose is to grow cannabis indoors. So, best of luck!
1. iPower GLTENTXL3 Grow Tent – Best Deal Grow Tent 5×10 for Hassle-Free Installation
Saving energy at home is the ultimate goal for most homeowners. This 10 x 5 grow tent enables you to achieve this objective due to its feature to reflect light. Also, the double stitches of this tent and its tear-proof properties make this unit stronger. The other quality that makes this tent worth buying is its high-quality zippers. Besides, this unit can withstand 110 lbs. And even more.
Every customer would like to monitor their plants to know how they are growing. Once you buy this tent, you can be sure that you will manage to observe your plants even without having to open the cover. In this case, you won't disturb the plants and, thereby, they will grow well. There is a convenient tool bag that comes with this unit. So, these tools can help you assemble your grow tent at home.
Keeping your home clean is also a significant priority. The unit can help you to achieve this objective. You will be surprised to note that this item has a removable water-resistant Mylar floor tray. The latter is always secured with straps that prevent any spillage from leaving the grow tent. In some instances, your plants can get excess heat in the grow tent. This unit can help you to avoid this issue as it is well ventilated. Nevertheless, it still ensures that your plants get the essential amount of fresh air in order to foster growth.
Do you have limited space at home? You should not panic. This tent can still serve you despite having a limited area for growing. In fact, it is ideal for those people who live in small places like apartments, condos, and so on. This means that you can still grow cannabis and live in your small home comfortably.
Since this tent measures 120x60x78 inches, these dimensions make it better as compared to its counterparts. It's the largest item in the category, and the poles of this unit are made of high-quality material. Above all, this tent comes with a guide on how you should assemble it once you get home. Due to all the prominent features described, I believe this tent is the best product overall.
- helps to reduce energy costs;
- strong and thus reliable to use;
- it can keep the plant area clean;
- improved ventilation;
- noise reduction.
- could have been better with pull string vent tubes;
- difficult to set up by yourself.
2. TopoLite 120" X60"x80" Grow Tent – Sun Hut Grow Tent 5×10 with High Reflective Features
This 5 by 10 grow tent also possesses a reflective diamond Mylar. Most people normally like it as it can last for many years, courtesy of long-lasting lightproof oxford cloth. Besides, it comes with sturdy zippers, which make this tent more secure and reliable. Since your plants will need oxygen to prosper, you should ensure that your unit is properly ventilated.
For grow tent 5×10 reason, this item has several vents for your plants to get the fresh air they need on a daily basis. While using this unit, the light will not generate excess heat, even if it works up to 18 hours per day. So, the plants get to enjoy the light for longer hours. There is a quick tool installation guide that comes alongside this 5×10 grow tent kit. So, rest assured that you will have an easy time erecting it in your home.
Besides, this unit features a user-friendly full spectrum design. This lets you grow your plants with a lot of ease. So, the product is perfect because it helps eliminate heat issues that can cause harm to your eyes. Overall, this grow tent should come in handy if you plan on growing marijuana.
- no leak of light outside;
- more affordable;
- can accommodate exhaust fan and lights;
- real-time customer service;
- thick Mylar secures your plants;
- better ventilation.
- no sewed grommets for water lines;
- you cannot adjust the fans in any way.
3. TopoGrow D-Door 120"x60"x80" Indoor Grow Tent – Marijuana Grow Tent 5×10 with Light Leak Protection
This 10×5 grow tent is great for growing your crop. It has a tent cover made with diamond Mylar that cannot allow water to get in. This cover is capable of reflecting the light during the day. Also, this unit has a lot of useful components, including a frame with a diameter of 19mm. Moreover, it possesses metal rods covered with white paint, and they contribute to the stability of the construction as compared to other units. Besides, this 5×10 grow tent should last for many years due to the presence of a 600D lightproof oxford cloth.
The zippers of this model are greatly useful as they prevent the leakage of light outside this tent. This means your plants will get the maximum light they need when growing. Cannabis needs fresh air when being put in a tent. This unit has round vents that can facilitate the free flow of air. So, you can be sure that your plants will get the essential amount of air that they need when growing. Besides enhancing better ventilation, this unit has a unique design that sets it apart from its counterparts. Therefore, you will be able to grow both seedlings and clones.
Due to all the features described, you will be able to monitor these plants concurrently and have an easy time when the harvest time approaches. If you take a closer look at this unit, you will notice two chambers. You can utilize the larger one to grow mature cannabis and the other chamber for multiple seedlings. This way, you will have the possibility to utilize this model more optimally. Still, the issue with this unit is that its hanger bars don't fit well, and it has little puncture holes in the zippers.
- durable;
- no light leaks;
- improved ventilation for your plants;
- quick and hassle-free assembly;
- do not consume much space.
- hanger bars do not fit well;
- little puncture holes in the item`s zippers.
4. Virtual Sun Reflective Mylar Hydroponic Plant Grow Tent – Best 5×10 Grow Tent from a Reliable Brand
If you don't want to strain yourself in terms of an item`s quality, then you should consider this one by Virtual Sun. It is made of strong 600D oxford cloth and has a highly reflective Mylar that prevents water from passing through it. This grow tent 5×10 also has a specialized floor plan and features a huge door that enables you to insert some lighting systems inside. Besides, the zippers of this unit are easy to operate. You can simply open and close them whenever you want.
There are several light capacities that you can use in this model, including 400w, 600w, and 100w. Once you purchase this unit, you will get an operating manual that will guide you while assembling it at home. So, if you want to assemble this product, you can be sure that it will take the least time to do it.
Also, I have noticed that due to the sleek-looking reflective Mylar only a little light leaks out the tent. Firm powder-coated metal is used as the frame material to provide increased stability. Besides, you can easily assemble and take down this grow tent because of its integrated zippers. Such easy assembly alongside the detachable rod cross members increases the product's efficiency. So, it becomes easy to adjust the accessories and lights. On the other hand, the tent is smaller as compared to the frame, and the product has no center support and mislabeled setup directions.
- quite durable;
- compatible with different grow lights;
- easily assembled.
- the tent is smaller than the frame;
- the guidelines for the setup may be mislabeled.
5. Oppolite 120"x60"x80" Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent Room – Grow Tent 5×10 for Cannabis with Increased Ventilation
One amazing quality of this product is that it can last for many years. The heavy-duty zippers and the lightproof oxford cloth make it possible. If you are always worried about light leakages, this item is ideal for you. Due to its double stitches, the light will be contained in the grow tent for longer hours. In addition to other benefits, the tent under review is not only strong but well ventilated. The rectangular vent enables your plants to get the vital amount of fresh air needed for them to grow well.
As a person responsible for the results of your actions, it is important that you monitor your plants well. Sometimes, you will need to remove the existing cover to have a look at how your plants are growing. The good news is that you do not need to do all this. The green observation windows can enable you to have a better view of your plants without a necessity to disturb them.
Moreover, the cover of this unit can reflect light, and this helps you to reduce your energy consumption at home. In addition, this item usually comes with assembly instructions that can guide you on how to assemble your grow tent. So, overall, it is a great tent to grow your cannabis.
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- more durable as compared to other products;
- no light leaks;
- has green observation windows;
- increased ventilation.
- some parts are lightweight and fragile.
Factors to Consider Before You Buy the Best 5×10 Tent
Most cannabis growers are often interested in how many plants they can grow in a 5×10 tent. If you have a 5×10 grow tent, you can expect to grow about 12 plants. However, this number is always relative. The number of plants that can thrive in a particular grow tent is affected by many factors. So, to find out how many plants in a 5×10 grow tent one can handle, you should consider the following points.
Type of Produce
Plants are not homogenous. They vary in terms of thickness, height, and so on. Therefore, you should expect that the stems of the plants you grow will have different diameters, and the structure of the leaves will be dissimilar too. This, in turn, affects the number that can fit in a certain grow tent.
Sizes of Grow Tents
Manufacturers usually make different grow tents with the intention to meet the needs of various clients. Some customers will prefer to buy larger units while the other group will choose small ones. If you are looking to get a larger item, you can be certain that the ability to put more plants in it increases.
Grow Lamps Present in a Tent
If you are sourcing for a lamp to use in your tent, you are likely to come across either CFL or LEDs. For optimal performance, you should choose LED lamps. These lamps are known to save on space and usually use little energy.
Generally, plants usually appreciate space, so you should not congest them. This applies to marijuana as well. Congesting the plants with the aim of optimizing space can be detrimental. In the long run, the growth of these plants is likely to get compromised and, thereby, lead to the Best 100 Watt LED Grow Light for Growing Cannabis stunted procedure.
What Is the Best Light for 5×10 Grow Tent?
As we all know, plants require essential light to grow, especially when put in home conditions. This means it is obligatory to provide them with light as that they cannot access natural sunshine. In this case, you ought to choose the best light for your 5×10 grow tent. As you go shopping for lamps out there, you will come across many types of lamps that are suitable for use in your unit.
The most preferred lamp type is the LED grow lights. First and foremost, they can help you reduce your energy bills by a large margin. They also last longer as compared to other lights. Several factors can affect the amount of light that your unit needs, including the number of plants that you want to grow and the size of your tent.
To obey the rule of thumb is fundamental if you have plans of growing cannabis at home. Ideally, you should ensure that you use a minimum of 50 watts of light per square of your grow space. As earlier mentioned, each marijuana plant needs enough room to grow well. In fact, each plant needs at least one square feet of space.
This way, you can be certain that the plant will flourish without getting obstructed by other plants. In most cases, 1-6 plants can comfortably utilize one LED lamp. Therefore, the more plants you have in your unit, you more is the number of LED lamps that you will need.
Final Note
Now that you know about the variety of grow tents available on the market, I believe you will be able to make a prudent decision regarding the purchase of a 5×10 grow tent. You should consider the above-mentioned factors and the pros and cons of each to be on the safe side. As you plan to grow cannabis in your indoor tent, you should ensure that you provide sufficient light and avoid congesting the plants in it.
Ideally, you should organize the space for the plants to grow optimally. As this has worked well for me, I recommend you to give it a shot today. That said and done, why not tell me about what you think of these grow tents? What was your experience dealing with them if you had any? Also, what factors are important for you in planting cannabis? Leave your comments and questions in the comment section below.


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Film, Local
Movie Review: 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx
For the "spoiler-ific" review, click here.
A couple of years ago, a swiftly constructed reboot to the Spider-Man movie franchise came into fruition brought up angst in the idea of repeating an origin story that is still fresh in the minds of movie viewers. In my review of The Amazing Spider-Man, I had made mention of it being a similar story but not the exact same story. Naturally, one would expect the sequel to up an the ante on multiple accounts for all things Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield); being Spidey, his love interest, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), and we cannot forget the particularly unsavory characters seen in the trailers and recognizable to comic readers. Does this movie demonstrate everything a spider can? One would have had to anticipate that line being thrown in here somewhere.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 leads off with a flashback regarding Peter Parker's parents, Richard Parker (Campbell Scott), and Mary Parker (Embeth Davidtz) and serves as something of a continuation to what was seen to the opening scenes of the first film. Going back to the present, it is some year and half (the exact passage of time can be based off of the first film) later, finding Peter, Gwen, and the current senior class of Midtown high moving on from high school. For any other student, it would have just been a normal graduation, but for Parker it has to be something of a balancing act between a crime outbreak being orchestrated by Aleksei Sytsevich (Paul Giamatti), and being a no-show for his own graduation. Upon his heroic swinging around New York, Spider-Man encounters timid electrical engineer, Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx), who feels special that anyone paid him any mind, and especially someone as high profile as Spidey. To Peter's surprise, his childhood friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) makes a return into the city which seemingly starts out as a long-overdue reunion shifts into an act of desperation.
Most people who were keeping track in the trailers, or prior news about casting, you can see the villain count is up to three; Electro, Green Goblin, and Rhino. For anyone who cares to recall, Spider-Man 3 attempted a feat of juggling that many villains and it turned into nothing less of a train wreck. Jamie Foxx does the best with what he's given as Electro. That's not to say that he made for a poor villain, but more so an acknowledgement of the characters' occasionally hokey lines. Nonetheless, he is very much a threat. There is something to be said of the CGI surrounding Electro. It was something of a visual spectacle the the greater the use of his powers grew throughout the movie. It'd be easy to liken him to an extremely aggravated Dr. Manhattan ( but not in that same realm of power, let's be real here) based on looks. An argument can be made that Electro was ever so slightly underutilized despite the generous (but nicely flowing) running time for the film. As for the Green Goblin, DeHaan does a great job displaying a disgruntled and betrayed Osborn. After seeing the movie Chronicle and hearing the announcement of his role in the movie, one can't help but have a charitable assumption of his portrayal and DeHaan delivered it. Paul Giamatti's Rhino is almost something of a caricature of a madman. It's basically like, Giamatti was told to go flow blown ridiculous and comicy as Rhino. Not going to lie, it worked in some odd way. It's amusing at the very least, and Rhino has always been more of a goon doing someone else's bidding and not so much a man with a plan that could carry a majority of the movie. In summary, Rhino gets the least screen time, and his lack of screen time doesn't hurt the movie and alleviates the aforementioned balancing act of several villains.
How was the titular hero in all of this? Andrew Garfield has secured his place as the famous wall crawler. In costume, his portrayal is very reminiscent to the comic book character with his constant banter, quips, and overall antics. What makes Spider-Man fun is the fact that he gets on the NERVES on some of the villains while fighting them. I had mentioned the first movie showing those crucial aspects of the character where this movie makes it clear without a doubt.
Visually, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is stunning without a doubt. If considering shelling out for a 3D viewing, this movie could be deemed worthy of such an affair.The webswinging about New York has never looked better, also it was a neat effect seeing Spidey's costume move a bit with the wind throughout the air. The display of Spider-Man's agility is the most elaborate to date with every quick finite twist and turn.
Likely one of the most obvious positives to the movie is once again the romance between Garfield's Parker and Stone's Gwen Stacy. It's quite clear with build up of their relationship the rapport has greatly improved, and scenes in which they have their arguments don't seem at all forced, but executed in a way that some romantic comedies wish they could pull off so naturally. Could it be stated that it is one of the best super hero movie romances? Very much so. The interactions are always entertaining. In addition to that relationship, is the heartfelt display between Peter and Aunt May (Sally Field). As to be expected, Sally Field brings an authenticity to her concerned and loving Aunt May. It's not one of those cases where you find her annoying and scolding, but rather you sympathize with her finding a connection with her only family left; her nephew.
Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 brings a balance of fun, and drama to the movie screens for the uprising of summer. The lack of screen time for the main villains at play detracts from what could have made a superb second act. It seems jarring as mentioned before that there would be a lack of villain screen time and or development considering all of the time available to be utilized. While not Amazing, so to speak, it is a good addition to the Spider-Man movie franchise.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a B+


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So! After Boracay, I went on an Amazing Race-ish trip in December. Manila > Bulacan > La Union > Bulacan > Mindoro > Manila > Bulacan in just 2 weeks. It was a rediscovering-your-roots kind of Christmas. It was exhausting to say the least, but it was one of the best holidays I spent with my family - ever!
And then in January, Toto and I celebrated our 10th anniversary as bf-gf in Siquijor, Dumaguete, Apo Island and Cebu city. I love Siquijor. I just. Can't!!! I don't know how to describe it because I frankly think there are no apt words to describe its majesty. Wow. Would ya look at that? I'm getting poetic and shit. Just GO. Visit Siquijor. NOW.
In February, I went to Bohol with my bestest friends. Bohol is...touristy. Not really my cup of tea, but Dumaluan Beach in Panglao is the bomb! It can give White Beach, Boracay a run for its money. Anyhoo, I still enjoyed this trip because I went with my craziest friends!
Last Holy Week, I went home to La Union. San Juan is bustling with tourists so we went to Pugo and tried this family resort. Nothing spectacular or new about this particular visit but I just love coming home to see my parents every time I can.
Okay. Enough with the yapping! I will find time to finish all my backlogs - presumably in about 2 years LOL - but here's a video that summarizes our 2015 trips so far. It's a feel good video with feel good music (I love Michael Franti!) that will hopefully brighten your mood and inspire you to go travel! :)


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being centrifuged by the forces of life ... let's see what remains
About ???? ???????
something I find most difficult to say... I am still assessing what I am... a simple man who believes that we all are good by heart, a humble tiny part of this Great picture called conscience, a dutiful person, a loving father to a most lovely and sweet daughter, a load of responsibilities for my wife, a delight for friends, an eyesore for few.... really I don't know...may be you can tell me better..."Khuli kitaab ka ek panna hoon main, kuch likha hai, kuch kora hai, likhae jane ke liye"
Beauty & Love
POWER OF SMILE... When a Smile can do it for you, Why use even Words
CHILD - The Best Spiritual Guru
The Rise and Fall of Hope Called AAP
Get your Finger stained or else... stop raising it!!
'PERVERT'....an increasing specie.... How to handle them......
A life that we all have lost...
FAITH... To Have it... or... not to have it !!