text:
Briefing Study: Requirements Analysis and Specification (slide 4)
Position of Feasibility Study
So, here's the thing. A situation arises that needs addressing. It may be a legislative or regulatory change, a change in the commercial environment in which a business operates, it may be a response to a loss in market share or market research that spots a technology advantage to be gained.
Whatever the reason, at some point detailed work is needed to assess the feasibility and possible directions of a solution to meet the need. A project will need to be started (posh word: incepted) to manage and control that work.
If there's not full backing, if it's risky / costly then it nearly always makes sense to conduct a feasibilty study first. It delivers the advantages of an early view of the business benefits, cost estimates, business impact and the technical feasibility of meeting the requirements.
It also gives an outline scope, size and complexity of the following deeper study, which makes project planning much easier if it makes it that far.
The Feasibility Study will produce a report as its output, with its position as shown in the slide. It'll either be followed by a full study or, if the risks / benefits don't stack up, it might not go any further.
You'll probably find a quick summary of its content and the steps to get there quite helpful at this stage. It's useful to note that if a full study does go ahead, the work of the feasibility study isn't wasted as most of it can be reused and fleshed out in the full study.
The first thing the business analyst will do is to write a terms of reference paper. In summary, this outlines the reasons for the doing the work, the key stakeholders, the expected benefits. It includes the scope of the work, supported by a high level As-is process model (dataflow diagrams supported by descriptions of the processes modelled in it).
Next, a paper is prepared using the technique of Business System Options, covering various possible ways of automating the required system (what's to be in scope, what's to be manual and what is to be automated).
For each option considered, the following are ususally prepared:
- Costs
- Benefits
- Risks
- High level datalow model (DFM)
- High level logical data model (LDM)
- Internal impact analysis
- Outline project plan
The project board, together with heavy representation by senior business management, then selects one of the developed options for taking forward. They are guided in their decision on the recommendation made by the project team and business users and, taken together with their unique perspective on policy, direction and their appetite for risk, they make their choice.
The Feasibility Report is then constructed to record the project board's decisions and the basis for them. In particular it'll give reasons for the selection of the chosen option and for rejection of the unselected options. The supporting material for the chosen option is included with the report, particularly the DFM, the LDM and the high level plans, and will usually out-refer to the material for the unselected options.
Of course, it's never quite as straightforward as that; often the project board will select a main option with features from others included. Deal with it during the next step.
The selected option (or the combination) is then used to update the various products / models, ready to feed into a full study phase or Project Initiation (if one has not already been incepted). They will set the scope, the high-level requirements (and some detailed ones) and inform the preparation of activity and project plans for the fuller study.
Once this is done, there is the possibility of involving potential supplier(s). If there is a perceived tight timescale, then involvement of suppliers at this stage can help to shorten the final project duration. It gives them a chance to familiarise themselves with the project while they are doing their work to provide a high level impact analysis and indicative costs.
Any technical options that result can usually be considered and decisions taken, as part of the normal project progression. In real life, the impact analysis may warrant project board involvement if anything exceptional turns up.
Notes on Supplier access to business representatives
The supplier will often want access to the business to understand the requirements better and perhaps to try to drive out more detailed ones.
Obviously they want to provide an accurate impact analysis / response to the requirements and they will be loathe to be too imprecise. But only allow it if you or another of your BA colleagues are there, either to participate or facilitate / chair.
Be very clear about what it means when business representatives at these sessions agree new requirements or refine existing ones; each requirement has to be a business one and not phrased in "solution speak". This is because there are all sorts of hidden meanings or knock-ons that the different parties would otherwise take away from the session - and these will often be at odds with each other.
Manage each supplier's expectations at this stage by agreeing with them that only the requirements that feature in the official Business Requirement Specification form the basis for formal agreement and anything agreed earlier is to be taken as indicative only.
Stress this again in front of the users and supplier representatives at each and every such session. It will save everyone grief later on, caused by misunderstandings now.
Expectation Management
The softer skills of a business analyst include making sure that people don't get ahead of themselves and start making assumptions about any outcomes.
When you influence them to stop short of this and make them aware of other possible outcomes, you're 'managing their expectations'.
Who are these people?
Well, basically anyone you come across in your role as a business analyst. Here's some groups:
- stakeholders
- business and supplier representatives
- business and systems architects
- solutioning teams
What sorts of expectations?
Here's some examples:
In sessions with key stakeholders
You have to be really watchful here. Look out for any evidence of unrealstic expectations - maybe they expect a rolls-royce solution that will solve all their problems or they perhaps believe that their requirements will have the highest priority and all be automated.
Manage their expectations by explaining that you'll ensure that, with their help, every requirement will be assessed correctly by balancing costs against business benefits.
You might also like to mention that some requirements might be better met by a manual solution. For example, if some communications have to be really secure between the business and a customer, maybe a courier service would be a better option than a riskier electronic route?
In requirements workshops
Business reps might make it clear they're assuming a certain solution - stress that nothing's decided yet. When the full extent of the requirements are known there may be a better one.
When you do this, you also avoid the danger of requirements not being voiced because they know their assumed soloution can't do it.
In project meetings
These sorts of meetings usually include key people from all the teams that make up the project.
Prior to requirements sign-off, you really need to have your feelers out at these meetings. You'll be watching for any assumptions being made within the teams about the solutions, the level of automation, assumed requirements and so on.
When you spot them, explain that nothing's cast in stone yet, so it's dangerous and potentially dangeorus to make any assumptions. If true constraints are uncovered these will need to be taken back to the business for impact and whether it's acceptable for the project to be so constrained.


text:
In 2016, the University of Missouri Extension gave approval for the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute to establish an Advisory Council for the Institute. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to provide input and guidance on strategic planning and training initiatives. This includes advice on current and emerging trends and issues in fire, rescue, and emergency response that may impact the design and delivery of training services in Missouri.
The Council is composed of members selected to represent a cross section of the fire service. Members are selected by MU FRTI Administration with approval by the Extension Cabinet. Council members constitute a geographic cross-section of the fire service and other representative members. An orientation and work session for members is conducted where members are lead through work exercises that look at the operations of the Institute and conduct a strategic planning session that will lead to the development of future priorities.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Concert at St Jude's
Concert at St Jude's
Saturday 6th October - 4 pm
St Jude's Church, St Jude's Road, Englefield Green
River City Saxes
River City Saxes is a saxophone quartet that plays music from classical to swing.
Formed in October 2008, the quartet has fulfilled many engagements across London and the South East, and has recently presented a series of lunchtime recitals in London churches.
The players are experienced musicians from diverse backgrounds and all perform regularly in other ensembles and bands.
Admission free. Refreshments provided. Donations welcome.


text:
Bienvenue! I am a research scientist at Google DeepMind Paris, working on multiagent learning and all things related. Previously, I received my Ph.D. while working in the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) and Aerospace Controls Lab (ACL) at MIT, advised by Prof. Jonathan How. Before that, I received my B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto.
I am interested in multiagent coordination, reinforcement learning, hierarchical learning, game theory, and augmented reality applications. I am a strong believer that the intelligent agents of tomorrow must not only be proficient learners, but also capable collaborators and communicators.
|I started working at DeepMind Paris as a research scientist.
|Learning to Teach in Cooperative Multiagent Reinforcement Learning was accepted to AAAI 2019!
|I successfully defended my PhD! Thanks to the many that helped me out along the way (you can read their names in my thesis).
|Our work, Learning to Teach in Cooperative Multiagent Reinforcement Learning, conducted with Miao Liu and Gerry Tesauro of IBM Research, has been accepted to the Lifelong Learning: A Reinforcement Learning Approach workshop at FAIM (ICML/AAMAS/IJCAI) 2018.
|Excited to be presenting at the Learning, Inference and Control of Multi-Agent Systems (MALIC) session at AAAI Spring Symposium series this month!
|Proud to announce our new multi-year collaboration on multiagent lifelong learning with Gerry Tesauro and Miao Liu of IBM, as part of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab initiative!
|Crossmodal Attentive Skill Learner was accepted to AAMAS 2018 as a full talk!
|Check out our code release adding audio query support to the Arcade Learning Environment.
|Our paper Crossmodal Attentive Skill Learner was presented at NIPS 2017 as an oral talk at the Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning workshop, and as a poster at the Deep Reinforcement Learning Symposium.
|I passed my Ph.D. thesis proposal defense!
|Our paper on Multitask Multiagent Reinforcement Learning was presented at ICML 2017.
|I was proud to co-organize the Robot Communication in the Wild workshop at RSS 2017, held at MIT. Many fantastic presenters!
|Our 2 papers on decentralized decision-making using macro-observations and continuous observations were presented at ICRA 2017.
|Our paper integrating macro-actions into Dec-POMDP planning was accepted to IJRR!
|Our paper on augmented reality for rapid prototyping of robotics hardware was accepted into Control Systems Magazine, as cover article! Check out some videos of it in action here, here, and here!
|Our paper on graph-based multiagent decision making with macro-actions was presented at ICRA 2016!
|Wrapped up a internship at Qualcomm, working on deep learning-based perception for aerial robots.
|Our work introducing the Decentralized Partially Observable Semi-Markov Decision Process (Dec-POSMDP) was presented at ICRA 2015!
Below is a selection of my publications. For full list, please visit my Google Scholar page.
Deep Decentralized Multitask Multiagent Reinforcement Learning under Partial Observability (ICML 2017)
Decentralized Control of Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes using Belief Space Macro-actions (IJRR 2017)
Paper Video
Semantic-level Decentralized Multi-Robot Decision-Making using Probabilistic Macro-Observations (ICRA 2017)
Paper Video
Scalable Accelerated Decentralized Multi-Robot Policy Search in Continuous Observation Spaces (ICRA 2017)
Camera Control For Learning Nonlinear Target Dynamics via Bayesian Nonparametric Dirichlet-Process Gaussian-Process (DP-GP) Models (IROS14)
Measurable Augmented Reality for Prototyping Cyber-Physical Systems (CSM 2016)
Paper Video 1 Video 2
Measurable Augmented Reality for Prototyping Cyber-Physical Systems (InfoTech 2015)
Paper Video 1 Video 2
Below is a selection of courses I have taken at MIT and University of Toronto.
|AI, Controls, Computer Science
|Principals of Autonomy & Decision Making
|Algorithmic Game Theory & Data Science
|Computational Cognitive Science
|Machine Learning
|Systems Optimization
|Stochastic Estimation & Control
|Principles of Optimal Control
|Feedback Control Systems
|Science of Deep Learning: Bridging Theory and Practice (audited)
|Foundations of Planning Algorithms (audited)
|Advances in Computer Vision (audited)
|Spacecraft Dynamics & Control
|Control Systems
|Space Systems Design
|Engineering Design
|Scientific Computing
|Digital & Computer Systems
|Computer Programming & Data Structures
|Math & Finance
|Nonlinear Optimization
|Probability & Statistics in Engineering
|Probability & Statistics
|Vector Calculus & Fluid Mechanics
|Partial Differential Equations
|Complex Analysis
|Calculus III
|Calculus II
|Calculus I
|Matrix & Vector Algebra
|Linear Algebra
|Mathematical Theory of Finance
|Economic Analysis & Decision Making
|Physics & Aero/Astro
|Classical Mechanics
|Aerospace Propulsion
|Combustion Processes
|Origin & Evolution of the Universe
|Quantum & Thermal Physics
|Waves & Modern Physics
|Fundamentals of Electric Circuits
|Electricity & Magnetism
|Molecules & Materials
|Advanced Mechanics Of Structures
|Mechanics of Solids & Structures
|Structures & Materials


text:
Building Area: 27,300 s.f. New; 8,000 s.f. Renovation
Date of Completion: 2012
Type: Master Plan, Addition, & Renovation
Location: Dandridge, TN
Budget: $4,900,000
Challenge: Convert an existing sanctuary into a fellowship
hall and design a new 900 seat worship addition respectful of the existing
Solution: Since 1980, BMa has been commissioned by this
growing Baptist congregation in Dandridge, Tennessee, to master plan and
design various structures on their site. The congregation is one of East
Tennessee's oldest, and its church building has traditionally served as
a community gathering place for Tennessee's second oldest city. The existing
church was designed in a traditional Greek revival style and seats approximately
400 worshippers. Multiple design schemes were developed to help the church
Building Committee and congregation decide upon the placement of the steeple,
and the treatment of other design details. Design of the sanctuary embraced
the historic stained-glass windows from the church's former location in
downtown Dandridge.


text:
Conwy Sentence Examples
- The best-known streams and waterfalls are Llugwy, Lledr, with Rhaiadr y wenol (Swallow falls), Conwy and Machno falls.
- LLANDUDNO, a seaside resort in the Arfon parliamentary division of Carnarvonshire, North Wales, in a detached portion of the county east of the Conwy, on a strip of sandy soil terminating in the massive limestone of Great Orme's Head.
- From Llandudno, is: a castle, Dinas Gonwy (Conwy fort), known to English historians as Gannoc, dating from the 11th or (according to the Welsh) earlier than the 9th century.
- Brymbo Hall, in the neighbourhood, is said to have been built from a design by Inigo Jones, as were probably Gwydyr chapel (1633) and the Conwy bridge (1636), both at Llanrwst.


text:
The Grill at Lora Bay
Dining room is closed in Winter. Whether relaxing after a round of golf, a hike along the Georgian Trail or simply dining under the stars in a serene setting in the midst of nature, Lora Bay suits casual and discerning appetites to a tee. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, Lora Bay is always the perfect choice. The Clubhouse offers an intimate and inviting space with spectacular views of Georgian Bay, Nippising Ridge and the 18th hole. The Dining Room and Wintergarden combine stone and timber beams, incorporating high ceilings, expansive windows and naturally inspired interiors.
109 East Ridge Drive
Thornbury, Ontario, South Georgian Bay N0H 2P0


text:
- -01-11-06 Obesity Drug Based on Genetic Research (ABC News)
"In the coming year, the French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis plans to release what many believe could be one of the first truly effective anti-obesity drugs. Preliminary data from large trials have suggested that weight loss is much greater than with any current drugs on the market."
"The drug, rimonabant, targets receptors of cannabinoid 1, which stimulates appetite and other cravings (including nicotine) in the brain. By blocking cannabinoid 1's receptors, rimonabant helps people beat their cravings and lose weight." 01-06
- -01-11-06 Survey: Attitudes More OK With Overweight People (CBS News)
"A survey finds America's attitudes toward overweight people are shifting from rejection toward acceptance. Over a 20-year period, the percentage of Americans who said they find overweight people less attractive steadily dropped from 55 percent to 24 percent, the market research firm NPD Group found." 01-06
- -01-14-06 CDC: Two Flu Drugs Effective, Two Ineffective (BBC News)
"With flu season reaching its peak, two drugs typically prescribed to fight the virus will be ineffective this season and should not be prescribed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Saturday."
"The CDC found in tests that the antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine were ineffective 91 percent of the time against H3N2 influenza, the dominant strain this season."
"However, two other antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza are still effective, said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. Amantadine and rimantadine are older, less-expensive and less commonly prescribed drugs." 01-06
- -01-26-06 Effective New Treatments for Breast Cancer (ABC News)
"Four years after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, Peggy Matson is now free of the disease."
"She had surgery and took a new drug called Herceptin, one of the first medications to attack breast cancer cells specifically."
"One of the most promising is a pill called Lapatinib, potentially more effective than Herceptin because it inhibits the growth of two proteins in certain cancer cells, while Herceptin affects only one." 01-06
- -01-27-06 New Cancer Drug Approved (CBS News)
"A new drug that combats both a rare stomach cancer and advanced kidney cancer won speedy federal approval Thursday."
"Sunitinib, to be marketed by Pfizer Inc. as Sutent, is the first cancer drug to simultaneously win Food and Drug Administration approval for two conditions, the agency said." 01-06
- -01-27-06 Passive Smoke Linked to Breast Cancer (USA Today)
"California regulators ruled Thursday that secondhand smoke causes breast cancer in younger women, an unprecedented finding that could lead to tougher anti-smoking measures." 01-06
- -01-31-06 Stem Cell Research and State Laws (Christian Science Monitor)
"Washington has effectively put a lid on federal efforts to advance embryonic stem-cell research. But pressure from scientists eager to expand their knowledge, special interest groups searching for new cures for diseases, and those who see a lucrative new biomedical industry has found a relief valve: the nation's 50 statehouses." 01-06
- -02-08-06 Study: Low-Fat Diet Results Disappointing (CBS News)
"After an average of roughly eight years, there was little difference in rates of breast cancer, colorectal cancer and heart disease in women who reduced their fat consumption than among nearly 30,000 study participants who didn't. "
" 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater,' stressed The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay Wednesday. 'It would be a shame if women read this and thought, "I can throw all my lifestyle interventions away. They don't matter.' They probably do, but maybe not exactly as they should, in this trial."
" 'We have to eat healthy. We have to exercise. We have to maintain a healthy weight. We have to not smoke. These things, in many other trials, have been shown over and over again to reduce the risk of all these diseases.' " 02-06
- -02-15-06 What Has Many Germs? (ABC News)
"To find out how to make our offices less germ-friendly, we called on Allison Janse, who was Gerba's co-author for the book, 'The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu.' "
- -02-17-06 Greenies Could Endanger Your Dog (ABC News)
"One veterinarian told us preliminary national figures he'd compiled indicated that Greenies were the No. 3 cause of blockages in the esophagus behind bones and fish hooks."
" 'There have been eight complaints about Greenies,' said Joe Roetheli, the manufacturer's chief executive officer. 'That's over eight years and 700 million sold.' " 02-06
- -02-17-06 Hand Holding May Affect Your Brain (ABC News)
"As brain images have become more advanced, there have been a flood of studies claiming to illustrate the physiological effects of everything from meditation to political partisanship to love."
"There's debate in the scientific community about how valuable these studies really are. But Davidson who says he's been happily married for 28 years believes his study shows that affection among loving couples may actually change people's brains." 02-06
- -02-18-06 Study: Sick Spouses, a Warning to Be Careful (MSNBC News)
"A husband or wife with a debilitating illness can hasten your own death, a study suggests."
"The researchers blame the stress and the loss of companionship, practical help, income and other support that can occur when a spouse gets sick." 02-06
- -02-19-06 Great-Grandmother Gives Birth (CBS News)
"A 62-year-old great-grandmother has become one of the oldest women in the world to successfully give birth." 02-06
- -02-21-06 Feeling Full (ABC News)
"Scientists are learning more about a hunger hormone called ghrelin. When you're hungry, this hormone is secreted in your stomach and intestines and sends a message to your brain to say it's time to eat."
"Nicole Beland, a senior contributor at Women's Health magazine, says you can suppress ghrelin by eating certain foods, so you will then feel full. Carbohydrates and lean protein have been found to slow the production of ghrelin, while foods that are high in fat do not." 02-06
- -02-21-06 Procedure Calms Erratic Heartbeat (ABC News)
"An atrial fibrillation starts in the veins that feed into the left upper chamber in the heart the left atrium. Abnormal electrical signals from these veins spread throughout the upper chambers causing an irregular heartbeat that leads to troublesome symptoms."
"For some, medications control the problem, but for others, a relatively new procedure called ablation allows doctors to literally get to the heart of the matter and destroy the enemy." 02-06
- -02-27-06 Does Airborne Stave Off Colds? (ABC News)
"Airborne said that a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 'care and professionalism' by a company specializing in clinical trial management, GNG Pharmaceutical Services."
"GNG is actually a two-man operation started up just to do the Airborne study. There was no clinic, no scientists and no doctors. The man who ran things said he had lots of clinical trial experience. He added that he had a degree from Indiana University, but the school says he never graduated." 02-06
- -03-04-06 Hoodia May Suppress Hunger (CBS News)
Hoodia is "very different from diet stimulants like Ephedra and Phenfen that are now banned because of dangerous side effects. Hoodia doesn't stimulate at all. Scientists say it fools the brain by making you think youre full, even if you've eaten just a morsel." 03-06
- -03-14-06 Scientist: 50-50 Chance of Bird Flu Hitting Humans (ABC News)
"Robert G. Webster is one of the few bird flu experts confident enough to answer the key question: Will the avian flu switch from posing a terrible hazard to birds to becoming a real threat to humans?"
"There are 'about even odds at this time for the virus to learn how to transmit human to human,' he told ABC's 'World News Tonight.' Webster, the Rosemary Thomas Chair at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., is credited with being the first scientist to find the link between human flu and bird flu." 03-06
- -03-28-06 Ambien May Cause Eating -- While Asleep (CBS News)
CBS News Correspondent John Blackstone says that "Dr. Mark Mahowald and other sleep researchers have discovered that nocturnal eating may be a side effect of the popular sleep medication, Ambien."
"That comes on the heels of reports that some Ambien users may drive while sleeping." 03-06
- -03-30-06 HIV Rates Drop in India (BBC News)
"HIV infection rates have fallen by a third in the worst hit regions of south India, research suggests." 03-06
- -04-06-06 Eye Fungus Strikes Contact Lens Wearers (ABC News)
"The fungus [fusarium] grows within the eye's cornea. Doctors who prescribe antibiotics for their patients to treat eye symptoms without first culturing the eye to see whether something is there could be putting their patients at risk because the fungal infection could go untreated." 04-06
- -04-06-06 Universal Health Care Proposed in Massachusettes (WTEN.com)
"Members of the Senate and the Assembly have already handed a bill over to Governor Mitt Romney that would require citizens to purchase some kind of health care coverage. Penalties for those who refuse would include stiff penalties, and eventually outright fines."
"Employers will also be held accountable. Any business with eleven employees or more would have to provide health insurance or pay close to $300 a year to uncovered workers." 04-06
- -04-09-06 Fat-Busting Lasers (TimesOnline.co.uk)
"A technique developed by American scientists could lead to fat-related conditions, including arterial heart disease, being melted away by high-intensity beams." 04-06
- -05-06-06 Survival Strategies for a Brutal Allergies Season (ABC News)
"Experts are calling this one of the worst allergy seasons on record, with people who never have had problems before reporting itching, coughing and sneezing."
"About one-third of people with seasonal allergies will aggravate their symptoms if they eat certain foods during the allergy season. These people breathe in the pollen, and then the pollen triggers a cross-reaction with the protein in these foods. Avoid apples, pears, carrots, almonds and hazelnut coffee." 05-06
- -05-12-06 High Tech May Replace Some Caregivers (ABC News)
"Across town, Louise who uses a walker to get around shows us how the system works. Her apartment is rigged with a series of motion detectors that track her movements and then transmit that information over the Internet to her family members." 05-06
- -05-13-06 Tracing Lung Ailments to Ground Zero (New York Times)
"Some of the people working in the cleanup and recovery effort after Sept. 11 wore masks, but the most effective ones were effective for no more than 20 minutes."
"As they push their investigation into the health risks to workers in the recovery and cleanup operations at ground zero, medical detectives are focusing on a group of lung diseases that can lead to long-term disabilities and, in some cases, death."
"The most worrisome to medical experts are granulomatous pulmonary diseases, which show a particular type of swirling marks left on the lungs by foreign matter like dust. Doctors say the severity of the disease is often dictated by a patient's genetic makeup. The diseases include pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis, a sometimes fatal disorder that can be set off when exposure to dust causes the body's immune system to attack itself." 05-06
- -05-23-06 Obesity Rises Faster Among the Poor (MSNBC News)
"Americans in their upper teens who are living in poverty have grown fatter at a higher rate than their peers, according to research that seems to underscore the unequal burden of obesity on the nation's poor." 05-06
- -05-25-06 Revolutionary New Treatment for Asthma (ABC News)
"So researchers are trying a radically different kind of treatment bronchial thermoplasty a procedure that could revolutionize the way those with asthma are treated." 05-06
- -06-08-06 Exercise May Reduce Symptoms of Menopause (MSNBC News)
"Though the research is still thin, many health experts say even moderate exercise can help relieve the problems of menopause in some women, including anxiety, insomnia and night sweats." 06-06
- -06-10-06 New Robotic Arm Directed by Thoughts (BBC News)
"Scientists in the US have created a robotic arm that can be controlled by thought alone." 06-06
- -06-10-06 New Sensor Mimics Sensitivity of Human Touch (BBC News)
"A device which may pave the way for robotic hands that can replicate the human sense of touch has been unveiled." 06-06
- -06-11-06 Food Safety and Spoilage (ABC News)
" 'Not all leftovers are created equal,' Doyle said. "So, my rule of thumb is, if it's a highly perishable type of food, like a cooked meat product, three to four days should be the maximum."
"Perhaps the single best thing you can do to extend the shelf life of your foods is to make sure your refrigerator is set at 40 F or lower." 06-06
- -06-14-06 KFC Sued for Fattening Foods (ABC News)
"The fast food chain KFC is being sued for the fat content in its fried chicken, which Center for Science in the Public Interest says contains "staggering amounts" of trans fat."
"One three-piece Extra Crispy combo meal has 15 grams of trans fat, which is more trans fat than a person should have in one week, says the CSPI." 06-06
- -06-19-06 A Seed Bank to Save the World (Guardian Unlimited)
"The new Svalbard International Seed Vault will serve as a repository for crucial seeds in the event of a global catastrophe, said Norway's agriculture minister, Terje Riis-Johansen." 06-06
- -06-25-06 Healthy Eaters Find Unlikely Ally: Walmart (Guardian Unlimited)
"Now Wal-Mart is bringing premium fruits, vegetables and other produce to parts of America where they simply did not exist earlier. However, that does not necessarily mean Americans are going to make the right choices." 06-06
- -06-29-06 New Test for Colon Cancer (ABC News)
"Lynch syndrome is the leading hereditary cause of colon cancer, accounting for 4 to 5 percent of cases. It's estimated that every one to two people out 1,000 have the syndrome, and it affects all races equally."
"Thankfully, new research from Scotland has provided an easier method for identifying patients at risk." 06-06
- -07-03-06 Man "Rewires" Own Brain: A First (USA Today)
"Doctors have their first proof that a man who was barely conscious for nearly 20 years regained speech and movement because his brain spontaneously rewired itself by growing tiny new nerve connections to replace the ones sheared apart in a car crash." 07-06
- -07-10-06 Hints for Combating Sleep Disorders (WebMD.com)
"There are many simple steps you can take to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep." 07-06
- -07-14-06 Man Moves Objects With Thoughts (BBC News)
"A sensor implanted in a paralysed man's brain has enabled him to control objects by using his thoughts alone." 07-06
- -07-26-06 Glaxo Reports Breakthrough on Bird Flu (BBC News)
"UK drugs firm GlaxoSmithKline believes it has developed a vaccine for the H5N1 deadly strain of avian flu that may be capable of being mass produced by 2007." 07-06
- -08-16-06 Bacterial Infections of the Skin not Bites (ABC News)
"Their infections were caused by a bacterium called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Once confined mostly to hospitals and prisons, MRSA has branched out into the general population. It often infects people without warning, and is commonly mistaken as a spider bite."
"A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows just how widespread the bug has become. Researchers took hundreds of skin samples from patients who'd visited 11 emergency rooms in the United States with skin or tissue infections. Laboratory analysis showed that 59 percent of the time the culprit was MRSA, meaning the bug has reached broadly into the general community and that's bad news in the fight against antibiotic resistance. " 08-06
- -08-21-06 AIDS Mystery Solved (CBS News)
"The cells are turned off by HIV, which disarms them by flicking off a molecular switch in the cells. But in the laboratory, researchers were able to block that switch and restore T-cell function."
"The findings raise the possibility that one day, doctors could switch a chronically ill patient's immune system back 'on' so that it could resume its fight against HIV, cancer or even Hepatitis C." 08-06
- -08-23-06 Stem Cell Research Breakthrough Announced (MSNBC News)
"The new stem cell production method takes a cell extracted during PGD and allows it to divide. One of the two resulting cells is genetically tested as in normal PGD; the other is cultured to encourage the development of stem cells." 08-06
- -09-01-06 Cells Engineered to Fight Cancer (ABC News)
"Researchers took immune system cells from the blood of 17 advanced melanoma patients who, like Origer, had not been helped by conventional treatments. Origer had only three months to four months left to live when the experimental treatment began."
"These ordinary blood cells, called T cells, were genetically engineered to become cancer-fighting cells that could recognize and attack the life-threatening melanoma." 09-06
- -09-15-06 FDA: Throw Away Packaged Spinach to Prevent E. Coli (ABC News)
"It doesn't matter what brand of spinach. It doesn't matter how long it's been sitting in the refrigerator. If it comes in bag, the Food and Drug Administration is strongly encouraging consumers, from coast to coast, to throw it out." 09-06
- -09-18-06 Acid Reflux Disease May Cause Esophageal Pre-Cancer Conditions (ABC News)
"More than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month and more than 15 million experience it daily. While occasional heartburn is normal, chronic heartburn is not and can lead to cancer when not properly treated."
"But many people ignore serious acid reflux because instead of heartburn they have other, sometimes confusing symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, a choking sensation, chronic cough, and sore throat." 09-06
- -09-19-06 Mercury Now Polluting Our Food Chain - Pollution Is Reversable (ABC News)
"Mercury contamination is making its way into nearly every habitat in the United States, not just oceans, according to a report that the National Wildlife Federation will release Tuesday."
"[Felicia] Stadler[of the National Wildlife Federation] said she believes the key is for this country and the whole world for that matter to realize just how big a threat mercury pollution is to our ecosystems."
" 'We need to be as drastic at cutting mercury as we have been in cutting lead,' she said." 09-06
- -09-25-06 Study: Multiple Sclerosis Drug Successful (Bloomberg.com)
"Shares of Acorda Therapeutics Inc. rose almost fourfold after the company said its experimental Fampridine drug helped people with multiple sclerosis walk faster." 09-25-06
- -10-05-06 Macular Degeneration Treatment Effective (CBS News)
"In patients with age-related macular degeneration - or AMD - the center of the retina responsible for vision deteriorates over time. In the wet form, blood vessels grow abnormally, causing a blind spot, distortion of lines, and other problems."
"But Daniel is lucky. Doctors have a new drug called Lucentis, approved by the FDA this June. It's injected directly into the eye once a month. After three shots, Daniel has noticed dramatic results." 10-06
- -10-30-06 KFC to Reduce Use of Trans Fats (MSNBC News)
"KFC said Monday it is phasing out trans fats in cooking its Original Recipe and Extra Crispy fried chicken, Potato Wedges and other menu items, but hasnt found a good alternative yet for its biscuits." 10-06
- -10-30-06 Study: Lonely Older Adults Wake Up With More Stress (ABC News)
"Adults who reported feeling lonely at night were more likely to have higher cortisol levels the next morning, meaning that a few hours' rest did not wash away any stress." 10-06
- -10-31-06 Study: Genetic Link to SIDS Deaths Suspected (DailyNewsCentral.com)
"The difficulty seems to center on the chemical serotonin and the brain's ability to use and reuse it. In addition to being a mood regulator, seratonin is involved in the regulation of breathing." 10-06
- -11-09-06 Recall of Pain Reliever Acetaminophen Pills (MSNBC News)
"Check your medicine cabinet: Millions of bottles of the widely used pain reliever acetaminophen some sold as long as three years ago are being recalled because they may contain metal fragments." 11-06
- -04-11-06 New Study on Estrogen (USA Today)
"Up to seven years of postmenopausal estrogen therapy does not raise breast cancer risk in women without a uterus, says a report out Wednesday from a government-sponsored study."
"The breast cancer finding for estrogen therapy is quite different than that of a parallel study of estrogen plus progestin, a second hormone given to protect the uterine lining against estrogen's cancer-causing effects. In that study, women's breast cancer risk rose over five years of hormone therapy." 04-06
- -Editorial: Federal Government Voiding State Laws on Consumer Protection (Precaution.org)
"The federal government has the power -- and now the will -- to wipe away all progressive state and local programs, including those implementing the precautionary principle and environmental justice, plus all other policies intended to protect human health and the environment." 07-06
- Diabetes Can Be Prevented With Diet and Moderate Exercise (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Suggests how to keep healthy. 05-06
- Editorial: Why Doctors So Often Get It Wrong (New York Times)
"Studies of autopsies have shown that doctors seriously misdiagnose fatal illnesses about 20 percent of the time. So millions of patients are being treated for the wrong disease."
"As shocking as that is, the more astonishing fact may be that the rate has not really changed since the 1930's."
"A BIG part of the answer is that all of the other medical progress we have made has distracted us from the misdiagnosis crisis." 02-06
- Girls Arriving at Puberty at Younger Ages (ABC News)
"Nearly half of African-American girls start showing signs of puberty by 8 years old, and some American girls are developing as young as 5, even 4 years old, experts say." 10-06
- New Treatments for Broken Bones (WashingtonTimes.com)
"Once almost a childhood rite of passage, plaster or fiberglass casts were the method of choice for fixing broken bones. But now, doctors around the world are increasingly shunning cumbersome casts in favor of more cutting-edge options for both children and adults: splints, special boots, metal plates, rods and screws." 04-06
- Study: Milk "Essential" During Pregnancy (TimesOnline.co.uk)
"Women who dont drink enough milk during pregnancy perhaps to limit weight gain or because of concerns about allergies may stunt their babies growth in the womb, research suggests." 9-05
- Surgery for Back Pain (Journal of the American Medical Association)
"Patients in both the surgery and the nonoperative treatment groups improved substantially over a 2-year period." 11-06
- Toxic Cottonseed Becomes Food (Christian Science Monitor)
"Dr. Rathore and his colleagues have figured out how to make poisonous cottonseeds fit for human consumption. The new, nontoxic seeds could give 500 million people an additional source of high-quality protein, the team estimates, if the genetically engineered plant is approved for cultivation." 11-06
- Want to Make It to 85? (MSNBC News)
"One of the largest, longest studies of aging found one more reason to stay trim and active: It could greatly raise your odds of living to at least age 85." 11-06
- Wish: Anything But Obese (ABC News)
"A disturbing new study out of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that nearly half 46 percent of 4,283 participants would rather give up a year of their life than be obese. Fifteen percent were willing to give up 10 years." 05-06


text:
Breast Augmentation Information, Before and After Photos, Surgery Itself
Breast augmentation is performed to increase breast fullness and volume for women with small breasts or those who have experienced a decrease in breast size due to pregnancy or weight loss. There is a wide variety of implant designs, shapes, sizes, and textures, all of which have certain advantages and disadvantages. A breast implant is basically a soft, silicone envelope filled with either silicone gel or saline that is surgically implanted under the tissues of your chest to simulate natural breast tissue.
Since silicone gel filled implants were re-approved by the FDA for routine breast augmentation in November 2008, the majority of primary augmentations and revisional breast augmentations make use of silicone gel implants. The reason for this is that while saline filled breast implants can yield excellent cosmetic results, silicone gel filled implants continue to be the gold-standard for breast augmentation. Silicone gel filled implants are softer, associated with fewer complications and create a more natural looking and feeling breast.
Prior to surgery, an extensive sizing protocol is performed that includes various measurements of the chest, implants placed within a bra to simulate results with different size implants and photographs to better demonstrate subtle differences that exist in most breasts. All this allows you to make an educated decision as to what size implant you would like to have. Almost all implants used for breast augmentations today are round and smooth walled as experience has shown that use of these implants most consistently results in beautifully, enhanced breasts.
Breast augmentation may be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The surgery consists of making an incision, and then creating a pocket beneath the pectoralis muscle into which the breast implant is placed. The incision may be made either in the crease below the breast, along the lower border of the areola or in the armpit. Incision placement depends on your anatomy and the type and size implant you choose, however, personal preference is always the primary consideration. To be sure, all of the approaches can result in nearly imperceptible scars. All of the options will be discussed in detail to allow you to make an informed decision.
Due to all of the technical advances of recent years, breast augmentation surgery has become simpler, less painful and more predictable. Patients may return to work within one week and to their normal strenuous physical activities within three to four weeks.
To schedule a consultation for breast augmentation New York City contact Dr Sadeh today.


text:
"The press [is] the only tocsin of a nation. [When it] is completely silenced… all means of a general effort [are] taken away." –Thomas Jefferson
In this article, we will focus on the tension and conflict that exists between the freedom of expression and the right to privacy in particular attention to media in India. As we all know that Freedom of Press is an important part of the freedom of expression. If we look into the insights of Indian Society, the right to privacy has become a fundamental human right implicitly lying under the right to life and personal liberty.
The right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to privacy can be captioned as the two sides of the same coin. This very image leads us to ponder upon whether freedom of media in India is a vituperate to stifle opponents or act as a shield for the public. The roots of the right of privacy are not nascent but can be traced back from the basic, inherent and inalienable natural rights. In India, this right may not be explicitly found in the Constitution but is interpreted by the Supreme Court to be implied in the Article 21 (Right to Life) as reiterated in a plethora of cases.[1]
Now, if we talk of media Indian media scenario, the platforms enjoy a great deal of freedom. The privilege to express opinions uninhibitedly is basic in a majority rules system. Scholarly people have since a long time ago championed it as an entryway to different freedoms, setting that the abridgment of free expression unavoidably prompts to confinements on different rights, for example, the privilege to be educated. This privilege, be that as it may, is befuddled and compared with the need to neglect the media as a business (falling under Article 19(1) (g)), which is on a very basic level imperfect. The privileges of a native and the privileges of a media entrepreneur fall under distinctive wicker container and shapes, and can't be viewed as the same.
Freedom of speech and expression includes freedom of circulation, to the extent that the ability to propagate one's expression is inherent in that freedom.[2] However, a recipient of news and a publisher of news belong to fundamentally different interest groups. This is precisely why expressing an opinion per se and the business of publishing/circulating news have been so clearly distinguished by our lawmakers. Notwithstanding, the Indian press appreciates two-overlap insurance, specifically the right to speak freely and expression ensured under Article 19(1) (a) and the flexibility to take part in any calling, occupation, exchange, industry or business, ensured under Article 19(1) (g). Issues emerge when Article 19(1) (a) and (g) are perused to be one and the same and even the oversight and limitations in the enthusiasm of the 'overall population' pondered under Article 19(6) are disregarded in view of this perplexity.
Restrictions on the freedom of media
- Some restrictions are compulsory as the rights of individuals and the interests of the entire society must not be allowed to overrun by press rights. The entities that are engaged in the business of media and news have emerged as a source of information, which helps people cultivate opinions on any topic be it political, economic or social situation prevailing in the country. The influence of traditional print media is still retained with television being widely popular. But, if we talk about the public opinion, precisely of the youth, it can be gauged through the so-called 'new media' i.e. social networking platforms. In this way, the media continues its role as a kind of non-formal educator. It acts as a helping hand to citizens to make judgments, often by presenting views which are contrary to those of the government.[3]
- Contempt of Court – The press and the judiciary share a complex relationship with one another. On one hand, justice must be seen to be done whereas on the other the press is crucial in providing the details of proceedings and ensuring that justice is administered. Here, lies the conflict as the same coverage, may, however, interfere with the administration of justice or say influence the judges. Hence, we can say that contempt of court does form one of the restrictions on Article 19(1) (g) and reasonable means of countering it can be found in the Constitution itself.[4] But again, the courts have shown themselves to be aware of the balance required. They have ruled that limits of decency and fairness[5] must apply so that contempt law is not used to muzzle free discussion.
- Defamation with both civil and criminal aspects is another offence which the media frequently encounters along with the laws protecting reputation.
Recommended read: Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill
All in all, the purpose lies in the interest to understand whether the media is functioning within the framework outlined by the Constitution on entitlement freedom of speech and expression or not? Should there exist checks on media? whether the norms to regulate media is followed? Finally, to analyze the limitation on people's right to know and how much water it holds in the Constitutional arrangement.
While any confinements of free discourse and expression must be sensible, there is no arrangement admonishing the person to be sensible in the practice of their rights. It could be contended, truth be told, that, "If freedom implies anything by any means, it implies the privilege to tell individuals what they would prefer not to listen." Nevertheless, the privilege to free discourse and expression does not exist in a vacuum and should be adjusted with different rights.
It is in keeping up this just possibility of obligation as a feature of a right becomes possibly the most important factor. Consequently, the pressure between the opportunity of expression and intercession by powers remains. As noted over, the sensibility of confinements on the right to speak freely is chosen a case by case premise. The vaunted position of the media does not come without a share of responsibility. Hence, the restrictions on the business of media under Article 19(6) are important for a smooth and effective protections of the common citizens under Article 19(1) (a).
[1] Kharak Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh (1963) 2 SCC 148; Gobind v. State of MP (1975) 2 SCC 148; R. Rajgopan v. State of Tamilnadu (1994) 6 SCC 632.
[2] Romesh Thapar v State of Madras [1950] SCR 594.
[3] Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd v Union of India [1985] SCR (2) 287.
[4] Articles 129 and 215 allow the Supreme and High Courts respectively to punish for contempt of court.
[5] See Indirect Tax Practitioners Assn v RK Jain [2010] "Ordinarily, the Court would not use the power to punish for contempt for curbing the right of freedom of speech and expression, which is guaranteed under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution. Only when the criticism of judicial institutions transgresses all limits of decency and fairness or there is a total lack of objectivity or there is a deliberate attempt to denigrate the institution then the Court would use this power;"


text:
I'm asked the "when you gonna retire" question quite frequently these days. Why is that? It's either because I'm nearing that magical age of 65, I'm starting to look my age, act my age, have been around the Gaylord Herald Times for such a long time - or all of the above.
Or … Maybe it's wishful thinking on the part of some people. You know, this newspaper publisher during his 35 years here has been known to ruffle a few feathers around town, if you know what I mean. (I wouldn't do well in a popularity contest.)
I was talking to my longtime buddy Bob (Big Mac) McNamara the other day. The subject of age came up, as it often does when a couple of old codgers like Mac and me get together.
Mac has been retired for several years. How many has it been, Mac? Somewhere around 15, I'd say. I must point out Mac's a little older than me. Right, Mac?


text:
J. DOUGLASS MOLER, City Civil Engineer, Springfield. John D. Moler has been City Engineer of Springfield for
fifteen years, a period covering its best growth and most rapid expansion which is of itself a sufficient commentary
upon his thorough efficiency and capability in his profession. Mr. Moler is 45 years old, having been born July
8, 1836, six miles from Springfield, on the National road. On the very day after attaining his majority, he commenced
life in the right way by marrying Miss Ella A. Dushane, of Logan County, but originally from Pennsylvania, who,
after bearing him two sons and journeying through twenty three years of life with him, was taken from him by the
hand of Providence in March of last year. Their first son, William, is teaching in the State Reform School at Lancaster,
Ohio, and the second, Harry, is a fanner in Logan Co., Ohio. Mr. Moler was ten years in the United States military
service, in the Provost Marshal's office at Columbus, Ohio, then raised Co. E, of the 184th O. V. I., their principal
service being the guarding of the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn. Mr. Moler is now busily engaged
drafting plans for projected city water works, which are urgently needed by reason of the rapid growth of the city,
and, as proposed, they will not only be a great acquisition to the city, but are to be of sufficient extent and
capacity to meet the demand that a greatly augmented population will make on its resources. Mr. Moler is tall in
stature, intelligent looking, deliberate, humorous, genial, and a man you would naturally trust without other guaranty
than his appearance and manners.
History of Clark County, Ohio
W. H. Beers & Co.
Chicago 1881
Privacy Policy for
Clark County, Ohio
New York
New York
For all your genealogy needs visit Linkpendium


text:
We shape new generations of competent graduates and academics developing into critical-thinking researchers, executives, entrepreneurs and policy makers, with an independent mind, ethical awareness and global mindset.
We provide high-quality academic education and scientific research in management and economics, with a focus on sustainability and internationalization. We offer student-centered and competence-based education, from Bachelor to PhD, allowing students to develop their analytical and autonomous problem-solving skills.
We contribute to knowledge development by fostering fundamental as well as applied scientific research, with a strong link to the organizational world and to society. Research results are integrated into the course content, giving students insight into the latest evolutions in the field. Our research community also disseminates their expertise to the business community and policy makers, leading to a societal impact.
Figure 1: FBE's rough diamond
The four features of the rough diamond are:
In 2007, the Faculty of Business and Economics began to develop a competence system that would foster competence-based learning. A thorough literature study was complemented with data collected from various stakeholders and the project resulted in an overview of potential job descriptions, core tasks and related professional roles for graduates in Applied Economics.
The results of the competence project were included in the strategy discussion that followed, involving various parties, and ultimately produced the 'polished diamond' in 2009-2010. The 'polished diamond' outlines the diverse roles that graduates from the Faculty of Business and Economics fulfil in their professional lives.
Figure 2: Professional roles for FBE's graduates
The proposed roles in Figure 2 are explained below:
You acquire knowledge and insights independently.
You gather and process data in a methodologically sound manner.
You apply your knowledge in new contexts.
You possess sufficient organisational skills to combine the resources required to carry out a task effectively.
You generate new ideas from the broad information flows both inside and outside organisations.
You transform existing insights into new concepts.
You can get ideas across clearly and correctly.
You are able to convince and inspire diverse stakeholders.
You unite different perspectives while keeping the big picture in mind.
You do this on the basis of an ethical reference framework, paying attention to sustainability and the global context.
The image of the polished diamond is a striking metaphor which allows us to visualise how the programme is built up. The professional roles of 'analyst', 'coordinator' and 'communicator' are the basic roles and these will be dealt with first in the programme. The three roles included in the diamond's upper surfaces integrate the underlying roles and are expanded upon at Master level. Each professional role is linked to one or more of the programme's core competences.


text:
Pressemitteilung/Press Release
Press Release of 17 January 2018
Franco-German proposal for a reform of the European monetary union: building a euro area with more risk-sharing and more discipline
Joint press release of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich
Fourteen economists from France and Germany, including Marcel Fratzscher (DIW Berlin) and Clemens Fuest (ifo), are presenting a reform package aimed at making the euro area more robust and more resilient to crises as well as allow for sound public finances and stronger economic growth.
After nearly a decade of stagnation, the euro area is finally experiencing a robust economic recovery. At the same time, it remains financially vulnerable, economically and politically divided, and seemingly unable to deliver its full growth potential. A reform of the financial, fiscal, and institutional architecture of the monetary union is urgently called for.
The proposals by 14 economists from France and Germany are very concrete and address the flaws in the fiscal and financial design of the monetary union. They would achieve a great deal while not altering the nature of the European project nor requiring any major political shift.
"We are in urgent need of reforms if the monetary union wants to live up to its promises and if we want it to be more resilient to future crises," said Marcel Fratzscher. "At the same time, we know that in Europe, political reform processes take a long time. We economists don't want everything to be done differently. Rather, we propose realistic reforms that nevertheless have the potential to be game-changing."
Compromise between France and Germany
The proposed reforms combine more risk-sharing among member states with more fiscal discipline. The antagonism between these two positions—often seen as a "French" position and a "German" position—is thought to be unbridgeable and has stood in the way of reforms in Europe.
"France and Germany play a key role in the European reform process," said Clemens Fuest. "They have to develop a join concept and move on to convince their partners. This will work only if both countries make compromises and move towards each other. France should accept more market discipline and Germany be ready for more risk-sharing. At the same time, both the moral hazard stemming from risk-sharing and the destabilization possibility originating in market discipline should be kept in check.The reforms we propose would, however, not make the euro area the 'union of transfers' rejected by many in Germany."
Concrete proposals in six areas
The following proposals should be viewed as a package that largely requires joint implementation.
1) Completion of the banking union and the capital markets union. This implies, among other things, the introduction of a common deposit insurance, as has been discussed for a while. We also advocate the introduction of a sovereign concentration charge. Should the balance sheet of a bank entail more than a certain proportion of debt by a single issuer (its home country, for instance), it would be required to increase its capital. That mechanism is aimed at breaking the "doom-loop" between banks and sovereign debt of their home country.
2) Introduction of a new expenditure rule in lieu and place of the Maastricht deficit rule. The current deficit rule, stating that a member country's public deficit cannot exceed three percent of GDP in a given year, is in need of reforming. We propose a new rule according to which government expenditure should not grow faster than long-term nominal output. National fiscal watchdogs, supervised by an independent euro area institution, would monitor compliance with this rule.
3) Strengthening the no-bail-out rule. We interpret this as prohibiting official loans to insolvent countries unless their debt to private creditors are restructured. The ESM needs to ensure that countries with unsustainable debt cannot be financed through new credit programmes.
4) Creation of a new fiscal capacity to help member countries cope with large economic disturbance. This fund would be fed with national contributions, whereby countries that are more likely to draw on it would make proportionally higher contributions. Should unemployment rise above a pre-set threshold, a participating country would be entitled to a payout from the fund.
5) Initiative to create a new type of euro area asset as an alternative to sovereign bonds. This new synthetic asset, which is explicitly not a Eurobond, would achieve a high degree of safety thanks to a combination of diversification and seniority.
6) Institutional reform. Currently the Eurogroup and its president are both watchdog ("prosecutor") and political decision-maker ("judge"). We propose to separate these two functions by creating an independent fiscal watchdog ("prosecutor") within or without the European Commission. The president of the Eurogroup ("judge") would be assigned to the Commission, similar to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs.
Reconciling risk sharing with market discipline: A constructive approach to euro area reform | PDF, 454.5 KB
German Institute for Economic Research
Founded in 1925, DIW Berlin (the German Institute for Economic Research) is one of the leading economic research institutes in Germany. The Institute analyzes the economic and social aspects of topical issues, formulating and disseminating policy advice based on its research findings. DIW Berlin is part of both the national and international scientific communities, provides research infrastructure to academics all over the world, and promotes the next generation of scientists. A member of the Leibniz Association, DIW Berlin is independent and primarily publicly funded.
You can find more press releases here.
Press Office DIW Berlin
|Renate Bogdanovic
|+49-30-897 89-249
|Claudia Cohnen-Beck
|+49-30-897 89-252
|Sebastian Kollmann
|+49-30-897 89-250
|Mathilde Richter
|+49-30-897 89-152
Communications Management German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP)
|Monika Wimmer
|+49-30-897 89-251
Further use of the above image is not allowed. Figures and tables displayed are approved for publication. If you require raw data, please contact DIW Berlin's press office.


text:
The end of a day spent riding those cold, wet, and muddy trails of the Pacific Northwest calls for the cozy comfort of the Santa Cruz Men's Parallel Crew. Its soft cotton blend brings you that post-shower coziness you long for after being soaked to the bone in the elements, while the striking front logo keeps your style classic wherever you wear it.
- Plush comfort and iconic style come together in this crew
- Cotton blend keeps the fit and feel extra comfy
- Regular fit promotes mobility and has room for tees underneath
1964170041/ 53-17510-02-001


text:
Welcome To Trax Brasserie
Happy Christmas from Brian, Gerry, and the Trax Team!
At Trax we believe that spectacular food, hospitality & an enjoyable atmosphere are essential ingredients for a amazing restaurant.
With over 250 positive reviews on Tripadvisor.com alone
we don't need to tell you how good we are.
we are open every tuesday in december!


text:
Whether Microsoft will bring back the Start button is even more uncertain. The Verge says the "hot corners" that bring up the modern-style Start menu and the Charms bar will remain intact if the boot to desktop option is enabled, but Foley says Microsoft is also considering bringing back the Start button as an option.
It's worth noting that you can accomplish both behaviors -- boot to desktop and bringing back the start menu -- through some fairly simple workarounds or using third party software. But having the options baked into the Windows 8 UI through the system settings screen would make things much simpler for all users.
Microsoft has so far been reluctant of letting users skip the modern-style interface so easily, and defended its stance by saying users find the new interface easy to learn once they give it a chance.
While it's understandable that the company is trying to push a consistent user experience that spans across multiple Windows devices, those against 'Metro' claim the interface doesn't really make sense for non-touch-screen machines. If the new options indeed make it to Windows 8.1 it will give everyone the option to make a gradual shift or just maintain the classic Windows feel... at least for a while longer.


text:
Frozen Princesses at the Snowflake Celebration!
Frozen Princesses at the Snowflake Celebration!
Chicago, IL
Make the most of the cold weather this season by joining us for a Snowflake Celebration!*~* Activities: *~* Meet the Snow Queen and Ice Princess!Live Performance!Dancing!Sing A Longs!Crafts!Photo Opportunities!Autographs!and more!*~* Details: *~* The event starts with the coolest performance of t...
Sunday, January 21 2018 11:00 AM — 2:00 PM
Tinker Bell's Halloween Ball!
Tinker Bell's Halloween Ball!
Bolingbrook, IL
We regret to inform you that Tinker Bell's Halloween Ball has been canceled. Please keep an eye out next year for more amazing events!
Sunday, October 30 2016 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM
Ice Princess' Birthday Ball 2016
Ice Princess' Birthday Ball 2016
Highland Park, IL
The Snow Queen wants to make up for sneezing and freezing her sister's celebration, but she needs your help to make sure all the party preperations are perfect! Join her and her royal friends for a fun filled day of scavenger hunts, singing, dancing, games, crafts and more! Team up with your fav...
Sunday, August 14 2016 1:00 PM — 5:30 PM
Fairy Godmother's Masquerade Ball!
Fairy Godmother's Masquerade Ball!
Lombard, IL
Put on your best costume and prettiest mask to join us for a spooky celebration! Ten of your favorite royal characters will be coming together to celebrate Halloween the only way they know how - with a Masquerade Ball! Join the Fairy Godmother as she hosts a Halloween dance party filled with ma...
Sunday, October 25 2015 11:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Ice Princess' Surprise Birthday Ball!
Ice Princess' Surprise Birthday Ball!
Highland Park, IL
***The 1:30-3:00 session of this event has been canceled! We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to see you in the morning instead!*** The Snow Queen wants to make up for sneezing and freezing her sister's celebration, but she needs your help to make sure all the party preperations are perf...
Sunday, August 9 2015 10:30 AM — 3:00 PM


text:
*On the first night of a curfew in Ferguson imposed by GovernorJay Nixon, the situation is heating up again. Here's what USA Today is reporting:
A couple hundred defiant protesters remained in Ferguson after a midnight curfew took effect in a St. Louis suburb following nights of protests after 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by a white police officer while walking down the street.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in Ferguson, Mo., Saturday. Crowds dwindled significantly leading up to the curfew, which will remain in effect until 5 a.m.
But remaining protesters — chanting "No justice! No curfew!" — refused to leave the area. Some stood with their hands up, the emblematic pose used by many protesters to characterize the position witness have said Brown had assumed when he was fatally shot.
"We ready. We ready. We ready for y'all, " people chanted, while others screamed "We are Mike Brown."
For MORE of this story go to USA Today.


text:
Let's Talk About Earth Day
Any one of my friends can tell you that Earth Day is one of my all-time favorite days of the year. Why? Is it because everyone is on the same environmental frequency as me for the day? Is it because it's the only day I get to pick up trash without people wondering where I left my orange jumpsuit? Maybe. More importantly though, I love earth day for what it represents, what it has accomplished, and most of all, what it has the potential to be.
We must understand the origins of this holiday to fully comprehend its significance. Similar to how 2017 and 2018 have been, 1970 was a time of environmental turmoil, as well as social and political tension. As war raged in Vietnam and protests became a common occurrence, environmental awareness began to grow. The original organizers of earth day, inspired by the student led ant-war movement, aimed to bridge social justice activism and science. And that's exactly what they did. April 22, 1970 was a day of widespread political action, civic participation, and mass mobilization as millions of people took to the streets to protest environmental degradation from 150 years of industrial expansion.
This movement was revolutionary as it sparked a rare instance of political solidarity: republicans, democrats, wealthy Americans and poor Americans, farmers and tycoons, students and activists all joined together to fight for our one and only earth. It was powerful, intersectional, and it was effective. Congress listened to the people and responded: 1970 marked the creation of the U.S. EPA and the passage of the of Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Acts.
But at what point exactly did we lose our momentum along the way? Does today's earth day accurately exemplify the original movement or has it become something else entirely?
Today, earth day is still celebrated all over the U.S, but many of us seem to have lost the true spirit of the movement. Is it just a day for privileged Americans to prance around in "recycled" earth day attire, eat vegan food, and post a single screenshot of how precious our Earth is? And to just as quickly abandon their sustainable spirits and return to their consumerist lifestyles Monday morning?
In a time when the effects of climate change no longer "slowly" approaching, but here—we as a nation cannot afford to respect the earth only one day a year and we cannot afford to overlook those that are disproportionately impacted by environmental harm. Environmental justice needs to be at the center of modern environmentalism, not only because people of color have been fighting for our earth long before wealthy white people decided to take notice, but also because people of color are more likely to suffer the worst impact of climate change.
Many people point to the Warren County, NC protests in 1982 as the event that sparked the environmental justice movement we know today. When North Carolina announced their plans to move soil contaminated with PCB's—a known toxin—to a landfill in a majority African
American county, the residents were outraged. The community members led a wave of protests and demonstrations to combat this decision and although they ultimate lost the battle, their efforts garnered national attention. This controversy finally made apparent, to many wealthy white Americans, the reality that low-income people of color are affected disproportionately by environmental burdens in this country.
So, on this Earth Week, I urge you to spend time learning from community activists, listening to their intersecting struggles, and standing with them in solidarity, as we fight for our world together and celebrate Earth Day as it was intended.
To start, come out to SERC's environmental justice- focused Earth Week events!
Aviella Rose is a third year transfer at University of California, Berkeley, pursing a degree in Society and Environmental with an emphasize in Environmental Justice and Sustainability.


text:
Former boxing champ Mike Tyson will be one of the celebrity judges on the game show Superhuman. Hosted by Kal Penn, Superhuman allows super smart people to demonstrate their high intelligence (solving complex math problems in seconds) and extraordinary abilities like frog calling and synesthesia, among others. Why is former heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson on the show? Well, the 50-year-old ex-champ has a lot of new business endeavors to promote for one thing. Plus he likes to stay busy. Here are 5 reasons Iron Mike is on the show.
- His new book, Iron Ambition: My Life with Cus D'Amato
- The launching of Mike Tyson Academy, a global fitness and boxing franchise (first one is in Dubai)
- Season 3 of the animated Mike Tyson Mysteries on Adult Swim just premiered in May
- At the Mike Tyson Academy press conference in Dubai, Tyson said, "I'm scared when I'm doing nothing."
- On Superhuman, Tyson gets to sit next to fellow celeb judge Christina Milani
[pictured: Mike Tyson writes about his surrogate father in Iron Ambition]
Superhuman airs Mondays at 9pm on FOX.


text:
Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of NAS Jacksonville Runway
What only happens in Jacksonville every fifty years?
You shut down the runways at NAS Jacksonville, move all the Navy aircraft operating there to Cecil Airport and completely renovate the runways. On 18 November, SAME Jacksonville Post heard from the lead engineer responsible for putting together the project, Mr. Jeff Franks, Chief Civil Engineer, NAVFAC SE and the construction project manager, Lieutenant Jamie Wallace, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy.
Mr. Frank detailed the essence of completing the project planning on a runway which has evolved, sometimes in a piecemeal fashion, since its establishment as a Navy Runway in World War II. One end of the runway was constructed on unimproved dredge material making accurate estimating for materials difficult. As if that weren't enough, the federal bureaucracy complicated the funding process of this project by funding it through four separate funding streams, including an energy conservation portion covering the replacement of the airfield lighting.
Once the project began, LT Wallace provided the government oversight of the project. Not unlike many construction projects this project encountered unforeseen conditions and coordination challenges. A detailed briefing was provided along with progress photos of the project.
This Jacksonville Post meeting was co-sponsored by the Construction Management Association of America, Mr. Doug McCutcheon Florida Chapter President.
View the NAS JAX Runway Repair project Luncheon Presentation here.


text:
Instant Blur Face and Body
Life proof tanning, then wash it off babe.
Your body should feel as flawless as your face, so BOD created Bake Instant Blur Face and Body to instantly transform your skin.
The tan acts as an instant blurring body concealer to reduce the appearance of imperfections.
Mix with foundation, or apply directly to the face for extra coverage and long-lasting wear
The formulation has amazing spreadability, meaning it blends naturally into your skin tone, so you get a flawless application every time.
The formulation is also transfer proof and water resistant, simply wait until touch dry before getting dressed.
Proudly Vegan.
Aqua, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77492), Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77491), Iron Oxides (C.I. 77499), Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate
Our standard UK delivery charge is £2.99 and covers postage and packaging. We use the Royal Mail standard service which normally takes 3-4 days. Currently, next day delivery is not available but we're looking to reinstate this very soon.
Our standard International delivery charge is £7.99 for Europe / £13.99 for US and ROW and covers postage and packaging. We use the DHL International service which normally takes 7 - 10 days dependant on your location.
If you have any queries or experience any issues with our delivery service, please email us email@example.com


text:
Post production
The important level of specialization of our people, the continuous improvement of production workflows and to the high level of investments in the latest technologies, make our digital department the post production center of excellence in Italy, known overall Europe, able to offer a complete, coherent and logical system of post production services for feature film and broadcasts releases.
Luce Cinecittà provides the most advanced post production services, including the digital film laboratory, the centre for all digital post production: actually, the perfect mix between our high quality laboratory for developing and printing and the digital department which offers the most sophisticated digital Technologies.
See also
Italian Cinema at centre stage in Los Angeles with the 13th edition of Cinema Italian Style, from November 16 to 21. The Opening Night at the Egyptian Theatre hosts the US Premiere of the Italian
From the Middle East to the Far East, three big festivals - Haifa, Busan, and Tokyo - showcase a selection of Italian films
In the tenth anniversary of his death, New York pays homage to Michelangelo Antonioni with a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) organized in collaboration with Istituto Luce Cinecittà
Big success for Naples '44 shown at the Film Forum in New York. The theatrical run was scheduled from November 29 to December 12, but has now been extended after the sold-out screenings of the first few days
From December 15 to 19, the Mostra de Cinema Italià is back to Barcelona with the aim of promoting the best Italian cinema of the last year. The opening film is Manetti Bros' Love and Bullets


text:
Generally, uploading a picture to your profile in herpes dating website is easy. You simply browse some of your pictures on a computer and transfer one to your profile on the homepage. However, not every picture you upload on your profile in herpes dating sites is perfect. Your photo speaks a lot about you and you need to get it right from the beginning. Follow these tips to create a perfect profile picture for dating people with herpes.
Use the right formats: acceptable formats for photographs to upload onherpes dating sites include JPG, GIF, PNG, or TIFF. Other formats are unacceptable. Besides, avoid using illustrations and caricatures or porn photos, as they are prohibited in online dating sites.
Use the right size of photo: in most online herpes dating sites, profile pictures should be no more than 5 megapixels. That means you will have to resize your normal picture taken by a webcam or a handy digital cam before you upload it on your profile.
Use a recent photo: when you are dating, you want your match to see you in your present or most recent status. Most dating sites for people with herpes prefer profile pictures taken within six months. The photo should be personal and taken at a closer distance to reveal your face, head, and shoulders. Pay close attention to your frontal face, as that is what most viewers see first.
Present your picture in the natural way: the profile picture should reveal your natural look, without excessive makeup, or appearing in a fashionable outfit. Just let it be yourself in a simple, natural way.
Put a smile: a photo with a smile is infectious and can draw more viewers to your profile. In a dating site for people with herpes, matches look for jovial partners with whom to share their thoughts about their conditions such as herpes symptoms in women, or living with genital herpes. Your broad smile is key to attracting more viewers of your picture.
Do not upload obscured photos: dating sites for people with herpes are platforms for social interaction and anything obscure is prohibited. Such photos don't create good first impression. Therefore when you want to upload a good profile picture, avoid those in which you are wearing sunglasses, a scarf, or headgear that may not bring out your natural look. Uploading your picture on your home page is all about displaying your personality, which cannot come out easily if you use a dark or blurred photo.
Do not upload technological pictures: use of laser or some other forms of digital technology ruin your chances of creating a good first impression. Instead, simply use plain or single color background to bring about your natural look and personality. Ensure that the background complements your skin tone.
Reliable dating sites for people with herpes now exist in USA and you are simply a click away to get a platform where you can share your thoughts about your condition. If you are asking, 'what are the best dating sites for people with herpes?' then it is time to visit http://meetpositives.com/herpes-dating/


text: Amazon.com Inc quietly closed a pay-per-click advertising program that allowed businesses to divert traffic from the retailer's platform to their own websites on Tuesday, saying it would permanently discontinue the program in October. The program allowed many businesses that are not necessarily sellers on Amazon's online marketplace to buy ad space on its website. Targeted ads for specific items would pop up on Amazon's website and drive shoppers to the retailer or manufacturer's own site.


text:
Firms use business analyses both to assess an organization's current situation and to create strategies for improving that situation. While some organizations pay for professional business consultants to do the job, it is possible for a business to perform its own self-analysis. The critical factors in performing a self-evaluation are staff input, an understanding of the industry or market in which the business operates and internal records of the organization's financial standing and employment structure.
Begin the business analysis with a clear goal. Some common goals are improving efficiency, forming reasonable project timelines or creating solutions for specific problems. The goal you select should be based on your organization's most pressing needs or a current project. While it is useful to assess any business on a general level, it is more efficient to construct plans for improvement with specific goals in mind.
Perform a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The first two are internal attributes; the latter two are external conditions. Conduct the SWOT analysis with input from as many staff members as possible. Base the SWOT analysis on the personal opinions of staff members as well as on actual research and data on the company's financial situation and industry best practices.
Create several options for achieving your goal based on the information accumulated during the SWOT analysis. Assess each solution by considering the costs and benefits associated with each. Costs include both the financial costs and the opportunity costs of each approach. Use these assessments to determine the best strategy for attaining your goal.
Related Articles
Create a process analysis for the selected strategy. A process analysis lists the activities that will turn the organization's resources, including staff, money and materials, into the company's ultimate goal. Construct a flow chart that shows each action to be performed, such as what must be bought, the equipment that will be used and the tasks employees must carry out.
Set performance evaluation standards and timelines for each action in the process. Project managers can use these benchmarks to ensure that the organization is staying on task and meeting its goals and timelines. If the company is not meeting these goals and timeframes, the evaluation standards can aid in reassessing the appropriateness of the project.
Prepare a report on what you learned through the analysis, the strategy you chose and the evaluation process recommended for assessing the project's success.
Photo Credits
- business meeting2 image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com


text:
On Monday, May 23, 2016 I was honored to deliver the 2016 Graduate Student Address at Lehigh's 148th Commencement Ceremony. The subject of my talk was Purpose, Possibility, and Love. As I thought about what message I wanted to share with my fellow graduates and our families, I wondered about the other black women who walked this path before me. With the help of Professors Jenna Lay and Betsy Fifer, I was able to piece together the brief history of the two phenomenal black doctoral students who pursued the English degree. Only Ronald Williams graduated from the program, in the 1970s. I was shocked to learn that Nancy Cho Barrett passed away in 2003 after passing her exams with distinction. With this information heavy on my heart, I prepared a talk that I hoped would honor Nancy's memory and acknowledge the significance of my role as the first African American Woman English PhD Graduate from Lehigh. The following is the address I wrote, followed by the video footage that begins at 38:00.
Purpose, Possibility, and Love
Thank you President Simon for that wonderful introduction. First, I give honor to God. I also want to thank the English Department, Africana Studies Program, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program.
There are a few people I need to acknowledge at the outset because without them I would not be here in this moment. To my parents Reginald Samuel Waller Sr. and Valerie Diane Waller who sowed into me a spirit of fearlessness and determination, I love and appreciate you. To Reggie, Camille, Little Reggie, and my entire Peterson family, I love you so much. Thank you for loving me as is. To my sister Sam, in 2000 they didn't think our speech about our struggle as black Nursing students was suited for our Florence Nightingale ceremony. We cried from the sting of rejection and the pain of not being seen. But today, I claim this moment and this space for us. Thank you to my incredible committee Professors Elizabeth Dolan, Seth Moglen, Mary Foltz, and Monica Miller. Also Professors Imaani El-Burki and Hugo Ceron-Anaya. Finally, I thank my two incredible children James Braxton Peterson III and Breanna Moné Peterson and my amazing husband Dr. James Braxton Peterson. You all are everything to me and I thank you for all of your love and support.
I am incredibly honored to stand before you this morning to deliver the 2016 graduate student address. I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who nominated me, especially soon-to-be English PhD candidate Cynthia Estremera and my son whose words helped shape this speech.
Class of 2016, Congratulations, We Made It!! I want you to take a minute and think about where you started, whether it was your first year as an undergrad or your first year of graduate school. Lehigh was a place of possibility. A testing ground that promised to provide life long lessons. Think about where you are now, how hard you've worked, how much you've accomplished, and how much you've overcome. The last few years have challenged us to confront our biases, stand together as a community, and show not only ourselves, but the world that we demand justice and equality for all of our Lehigh family members. We have grown and Lehigh, as we see it now, is still a place of possibility and promise where we can make history and change lives. I stand before you as the First African American Woman to earn an English PhD here at Lehigh. And I am only the second black person to complete the program. I want to thank Ronald Williams who graduated in the '70s for paving the way for me. Born in Barbados, his academic excellence and desire for success allowed him to be the president of two universities, vice-president of the College Board and an accomplished author. I want to acknowledge Nancy Barrett who was also an exceptional Senior Teaching Fellow and PhD candidate in the English Department. Born in South Korea, Nancy received her BA from Morgan State and her MA in English from Lehigh. Nancy entered the PhD program in 2000 and passed her exams with distinction. She passed away unexpectedly December 22, 2003 before she was able to complete the program. I am standing here in this moment as a result of Ron and Nancy's accomplishments. However, two black doctoral graduates separated by three decades is not enough. Today, I ask that all of the graduate programs reaffirm their commitment to Lehigh's mandate to adequately reflect the beautiful diversity of our world.
We are all here because of the sacrifice and love shown to us. And the way to honor that is to love ourselves. Not a narcissistic, self-centered love, but an agape, god-like love that calls us to honor our spirits, our minds and our bodies. Maya Angelou says "Love is that condition in the human spirit so profound that it allows me to survive, and better than that, to thrive with passion, compassion, and style". I urge you this morning, as you reflect on all that you have accomplished here at Lehigh, to also take time to love on yourself; to affirm your own strength and fortitude; to boldly proclaim that you reached the goal you set for yourself; and to prioritize your own happiness. Hold fast to this moment and recall it often, especially when others challenge your ideas and you begin to doubt yourself. Remember how great you are, full of possibility and overflowing with promise. Take the time to love yourself always and in all ways.
And finally, to all my black and brown women graduates, we are not the mules of the world. Ntozake Shange said, "I found God in myself, and I loved her, I loved her fiercely." Embrace all of your intelligence, beauty and black girl magic but above all Love yourself first and deeply.
Class of 2016, we were made for this moment. Now let's get in formation!
Dr. Belinda Monique Waller-Peterson
Assistant Professor of English, Multi-Ethnic Literature at Moravian College
Related Links:
Nancy Cho Barrett
http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/lehigh-mourns-death-graduate-st . . .
Ronald Williams


text:
Went 3-0 in doubles this spring…teamed up with Jordan Kelly-Houston to defeat Miami 8-6
Posted a 7-4 record in singles, good for fourth on the team…posted a 4-1 record at the Seminole Intercollegiate where he reached the finals of the B Draw…did not get broken on serve during the qualifying round at the ITA Southeast Regionals…had a 5-3 doubles record…posted a 4-2 record with Jason Zafiros…reached the finals of the Seminole Intercollegiate doubles draw where he lost to teammates Dominic Cotrone and Anderson Reed.
Recorded 17 doubles wins and six in singles … Went 4-2 at No. 2 doubles and 6-4 at No. 3 doubles … Went 7-3 when paired with Dennis Nevolo, including a 4-0 mark in Big Ten play.
Sat out season as a redshirt.
Was rated a five-star recruit by tennisrecruiting.net … Has been ranked as high as No. 55 nationally and third in the state … Advanced to the final eight at the 2009 Midwest Open, as well as the final 16 at the USTA Spring National Championships and Gator Bowl.
Born on February 19, 1992 … Son of Tom and Barb Alden … Has one sister, Caitlin.


text:
Subway supports Cardiff and Vale College Freshers' Fayre
Cardiff and Vale College will welcome some 4,000 new students through its doors next week with a series of Freshers' Fayre events.
The College will hold an all-day event at its £45m new City Centre Campus on September 15th and a further event will take place for Vale students at the Colcot Road campus in Barry on the 17th. The new students will have the opportunity to pick up freebies and information from a range of stands that will visit both of the Fayres.
A climbing wall from Boulders, a DJ truck and Capital FM, live hairdressing demos and a penalty shootout competition held by Cardiff City FC will be among some of the entertainment on offer. There will also be stands giving away vouchers for local shops and venues, food or information on a range of areas.
This year CAVC's Freshers' Fayre will be sponsored by Subway. The popular sandwich and salad retailer has just opened a franchise at the College's new City Centre Campus and has offered to sponsor the Fayre, as well as holding a "six foot sub" contest for students during the week.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for us in Subway to help raise awareness of the new commercial ventures we are undertaking here at the College," CAVC Commercial Retail Manager Andrew Ursell said. "We have a unique situation here where every penny of profit that we make gets put straight back into the College to the benefit of every student at Cardiff and Vale College.
"Subway is a long-standing brand with a great following in the 16-19 demographic, and we felt this was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the young people who stand by us not only here at the College but also in the wider community."


text:
Love is not something you fall into or something that magically happens. Love is a gift from God that you can give to others.
If you are a follower of Jesus, love is calling. It is as real and valid as being called by God to serve Him in vocational ministry. In this seventh message from the series "Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter," Dr. David Rhoades dives into the love God wants us to give away.


text:
Should marriage be redefined, the 'Yes' campaign insists that individual freedoms of all Australians will be protected, including religious freedoms. Yet, they fail to say 'how'.
This is well-known and emphasised in many politicians' objections to pro-same-sex marriage arguments:
Liberal MP Craig Kelly said religious freedom should be part of the debate on same-sex marriage.
He said it was up to the Yes campaign to properly explain how religious freedoms would be protected if same-sex marriage was legalised.
"We are having a vote to change the Marriage Act so it is up to the proponents of the change, to spell out exactly, to define everything, to make sure we know how this will work and how religious freedoms will work under the change," Mr Kelly told Sky News.
"This is what part of the debate should be about."
As Tony Abbot emphasised, this vote on marriage will determine far more than a mere definition – it will either protect or destroy the Aussie way of life:
"The best way of standing up for traditional values, the best way of saying you don't like the direction our country is headed in right now is to get that ballot paper out and vote no," Mr Abbott told Sydney radio station 2GB.
"There is a real issue here with the protection for religious freedom and freedom of speech if this thing goes through, we have seen in other countries where same-sex marriage has been legalised, like Britain and Canada, attacks on what is being taught in religious schools.
"In Britain Catholic adoption agencies had to close down right around the country because they refused to toe the line on same-sex marriage."
While the 'Yes' campaign tries to argue that same-sex marriage will have no effect on areas such as education, Mr Abbott pointed out that this is an abject lie:
"If you degender marriage a whole lot of other things come in its wake," he said.
"How, for instance, can we legitimately say no to gender fluidity programs like so-called Safe Schools if we've degendered marriage.
"So this isn't just about marriage, sure marriage is the immediate focus, but there are lots and lots of implications here and we have got to think them through before we take this big leap into what I think is the dark."
The 'Yes' campaign is wrong: same-sex marriage has everything to do with education, work, freedoms, etc.. Anything that is part of the Aussie way of life will be effected by same-sex marriage. This is recognised by many other politicians, who know that religious freedoms must be part of the marriage debate:
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Angus Taylor said this morning that religious freedoms should be part of the same-sex marriage debate.
"There is no doubt this has been a major issue in jurisdictions where same-sex marriage has been implemented," Mr Taylor told Sky News.
"It is one that needs to be part of this debate, there is no doubt in my mind about that and I am very confident it will be part of that debate."
The 'No' campaign understands and openly admits that the consequences of same-sex marriage are far-reaching. The 'Yes' campaign almost assuredly knows this as well – they just don't want to admit it.
Many things are at stake in this vote. A 'No' vote is not just a vote against legalising same-sex marriage - it is a vote to say 'No' to surrendering all Australian freedoms.


text:
Belgo: Brand Repositioning
Belgo, an iconic restaurant chain launched 25 years ago, required an updated brand experience relevant to the expectations of current customers, potential new customers and future franchisees.
We identified a unique, subversive essence at the heart of Belgo and created a clear logo, story, tone of voice and visual styling – resulting in a consistent and coherent positioning of the brand and values.
We have re-designed all customer communications including menus, launch materials, seasonal campaigns and a standard for ongoing social, digital, brand films and photography.