text:
In 2011, EU Customs detained almost 115
million products suspected of violating intellectual property rights (IPR)
compared to 103 million in 2010. The number of intercepted cases increased by
15% compared to 2010. The value of the intercepted goods represented nearly €1.3
billion compared to €1.1 billion in 2010, according to the Commission's annual
report on customs actions to enforce IPR. This report also gives statistics
on the type, origin and transport method of IPR infringing products detained at
the EU's external borders. The top categories of articles stopped by customs
were medicines (24%), packaging material (21%) and cigarettes (18%). Products
for daily use and products that could be potentially dangerous to the health and
safety of consumers accounted for a total of 28.6% of the total amount of
detained articles, compared to 14.5% in 2010. The increase in number of detained
postal packages continued in 2011, with 36% of the detentions concerning
Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner for Taxation,
Customs, Anti-fraud and Audit said: "Customs is the EU's first
line of defence against fake products which threaten the safety of our citizens
and undermine legal businesses. Today's report shows the intensity and
importance of the work being done by Customs in this field. I will continue to
push for even greater protection of intellectual property rights in Europe,
through our work with international partners, the industry and Member
In terms of where the fake goods originated,
China continued to be the main source, accounting for 73% of all IPR infringing
articles. For certain product categories other countries remain the main sources
such as Turkey for foodstuffs, Panama for alcoholic drinks, Thailand for soft
drinks and Hong Kong for mobile phones. Around 90% of all detained products were
either destroyed or a court case was initiated to determine the
As the EU's 2020
Strategy underlines, the protection of IPR is a cornerstone of the EU economy
and a key driver for its further growth in areas such as research, innovation
and employment. Effective IPR enforcement is also essential for health and
safety, as certain counterfeited products (such as foodstuffs, body-care
articles and children's toys) which are produced in an unregulated environment
can pose a serious threat to citizens.
EU Customs play a crucial role in stopping
products which violate intellectual property rights from entering the EU. A
number of actions are being carried out by the Commission to strengthen Customs'
ability to combat such trade. On 24 May 2011, the Commission adopted a proposal
for a new regulation on customs enforcement of IPR, as part of a comprehensive
package of IPR measures (see IP/11/
Good cooperation with trading partners can
also significantly help in preventing the export of IPR infringing goods to the
EU. In 2009, the EU signed an Action Plan with China which specifically focuses
on enhancing cooperation in IPR customs enforcement (IP/09/193).
In 2010, this Action Plan was extended until the end of 2012 (IP/10/1079).
Cooperation with industry is also very important to ensure that goods which
violate IPR can be properly identified. Businesses can request customs action
where they suspect that their intellectual property rights are being violated,
and the information provided by industry helps customs to better target their
controls. The Commission has established a manual for right holders, to help
them to lodge such requests.
For the full report, see:
See also MEMO/12/592
Stock-shots are available on EbS: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I074051
Still photos available on AV portal:


text:
Onyx's dedicated team of designers and development staff have carefully integrated the latest in technological advances with the timeless tradition of skilled handcrafting to create a line of instruments, amplification, and accessories which give you the confidence to always perform at your best.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Step 4
Select frame #20 on both
R1 and R2 layers and press F6. Select the same frame on the rest of the layers
and press F5. Now select both rectangles and Shift-drag them to the horizon.
Stop dragging when the bottom side of R1 is flush wit the horizon. It is very
important that you move both objects together. See picture:
|» Level Intermediate
Added: 2001-06-15
Rating: 7 Votes: 224
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text:
Classes and Events
Sharp Mary Birch Walk-Through Tour
One-hour tour of labor, delivery and recovery rooms for pregnant women and one adult guest. Children are not permitted on the tour.
Need a different date?
Presented by Sharp Mary Birch Hospital
Pregnant women and one adult guest are invited to enjoy a walk-through tour of Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns. We will show you a labor/delivery and postpartum room if available.
Please note that children under the age of 12 are not permitted on the tours due to infection control.
This tour is also available in Spanish. Go to Recorrido Informativo de Sharp Mary Birch for dates and times.
Download Sharp Baby, our free pregnancy app and online resource
Learn about pregnancy milestones, track appointments, time contractions, watch animations and videos, and more! Available for download on mobile and desktop devices by visiting sharp.com/sharpbaby.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your registration for this event, please call 1-800-827-4277 Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, or log in to your account to cancel online.
Parking Information
Park in the Health Center Drive parking garage, located directly in front of Sharp Mary Birch. Parking is free with validation from the concierge.
Enter the hospital through the main lobby entrance and check in with our concierge desk.
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted on the tours due to infection control. Please do not attend the tour if you are sick or think you might be contagious.
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
Main lobby


text:
2. Nets Marvel at "Diverse" Marchers, "Elderly" to "Soccer Moms"
3. NY Times Celebrates Rally: "Throwing a Party With a Purpose"
4. CBS and CNN Avoid Labeling a Far-Left Think Tank
5. Laudatory Reagan Profile, But Couric Relays a Liberal
6. Keith Olbermann: FNC Staff Should Feel Humiliated
Claims of "Unilateral" U.S. Action Exasperate
Sixteen of 19 NATO nations and 34 countries in all back the U.S. policy toward Iraq, but on Fox News Sunday, much to the consternation of Brit Hume, the NPR duo of Mara Liasson and Juan Williams kept referring to the U.S. going it "alone," "isolating itself" and how "the United States is basically acting in a unilateral fashion." To that last claim by Williams, an exasperated Hume retorted: "It's not unilateral when it's 16 to 3! Can't you count?"
During the panel portion of the February 16 program, NPR political reporter Mara Liasson warning about the U.S. going it 'alone' on Iraq: "I think the reason why it's important to try to get the entire international community singing from the same page on Iraq is not necessarily for American public opinion, because even though I agree the polls show now that the American public would rather have international support, I think that if America went it alone, there would be public support for that. I don't think that the U.S. would turn against the Bush administration.
But I think that it's important for what happens the day after. I think this stuff matters. Even though the administration has made it very clear it doesn't necessarily care about world opinion, it's going to do this on its own with the coalition of the willing-"
Minutes later Williams worried about the U.S. "isolating itself." The former NPR talk show host and current commentator charged: "But look at what's happening to NATO, look at what's happening at the UN. The United States is in essence, then, isolating itself. We are building tremendous rifts in these institutions."
Back from an ad break, Williams stood up for France, Germany and Belgium: "What they are saying, Brit, and I hope everyone hears this clearly, I mean, they're saying they have a point to make, they do not feel that the United States is acting in a way that is sufficiently based, that would allow them to feel good about this military action-"
Apparently not.
Nets Marvel at "Diverse" Marchers, "Elderly"
Just as they did last month with the anti-war "peace" rally in Washington, DC and San Francisco, in covering Saturday's anti-liberation of Iraq protest marches around the world, the networks ignored the organizing roles and participation of far-left proto-communist and America-hating groups and people and, instead, portrayed participants as a "diverse coss-section" of average people.
The ABC, CBS and NBC newscasts on Saturday night all led with multiple stories on the protests and all featured soundbites from very average looking people along the march routes while CNN's Maria Hinojosa trumpeted: "Like New York, it's an extraordinarily diverse crowd. I have seen elderly men and women with mink coats carrying their posters. I have also seen children with their parents coming from public schools..."
All day CNN featured lengthy segments under the banner of "Voices of Dissent." CNN anchor Carol Lin marveled at "the diversity out there, I mean, you had soccer moms out there, professional people, people who have never really participated in...political rallies." From Berlin, reporter Matthew Chance insisted the marchers were not "radicals" but "bankers, they're office clerks, they're just normal people..."
ABC's World News Tonight showcased a "teacher" and a "pediatrician" in New York City before Hilary Brown in London admired how the protest "cuts right across political and social lines."
On the CBS Evening News, Jim Acosta zeroes in on how "Charles Richardson and his wife held posters bearing the picture of a son, who is now awaiting war in the Persian Gulf." Anchor Russ Mitchell celebrated "Code Pink: Women for Peace," a bunch of far-leftists who recently traveled to Iraq to aid Saddam Hussein's cause. CBS showed a clip of one of the women kissing French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin.
Over on the NBC Nightly News, Pat Dawson highlighted "Andrew and Denise Johnson" who "drove from Danvers, Massachusetts, to New York City, their first time at an anti-war rally." Leading into a clip from a man with a wife and two pre-teen daughters at his side, Dawson relayed: "Protest organizers argued the real message of today's rallies is that a silent majority of Americans is uneasy with the prospect of war, like the Green family of Great Neck, New York. To them, the President's case against Saddam Hussein remains unconvincing."
Despite the massive coverage, John McKenzie concluded his ABC story by passing along a plea: "So many voices, filling the streets, struggling to be heard."
Only FNC's Jennifer Eccleston, checking in from Paris on the Fox Report, hinted that in addition to the "cross-section" of French society the march in Paris brought out communists: "We saw a cross-section of society at the Paris protests, young, old and families, many of them supporting a socialist and communist parties of France."
Now, some more detail about the ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN coverage on Saturday, February 15:
-- ABC's World News Tonight/Saturday. Anchor Terry Moran glowingly opened the broadcast: "Good evening. I'm Terry Moran. It's no secret there is a lot of opposition to the Bush Administration's plans for war in Iraq. Today, around the world, we got a sense of the sheer scale and intensity of that opposition. Millions of people from New York to London to Rome and in scores of other cities, took to the streets to protest against any U.S.-led invasion against Iraq. It was an enormous display of anti-war and in some cases, anti-American sentiment. We start tonight with Hilary Brown in London, where one of the largest rallies took place."
Brown's piece showcased how "some had never marched before," and she concluded: "This anti-war demonstration here in Hyde Park is being described as one of the biggest demonstrations in British history. It cuts right across political and social lines. The question is whether this will be enough to change the position of the country's Prime Minister. Hilary Brown, ABC News, London."
Next, John McKenzie checked in from New York City where he carried a soundbite from a teacher who said he's "ashamed" of the U.S. government, and then a female pediatrician.
"There are many here today who speak with a sense of urgency and frustration," McKenzie asserted before a clip of another protester and from South Africa's Desmond Tutu. McKenzie concluded: "So many voices, filling the streets, struggling to be heard. John McKenzie, ABC News, New York."
McKenzie's worry about "the struggle to be heard" came about four-and-a-half minutes into ABC's coverage of those very protests.
-- CBS Evening News. Anchor Russ Mitchell teased the show: "Calls for peace: Hundreds of thousands demonstrate in New York and dozens of other American cities. Millions of voices are raised against an Iraq war in Britain and around the world."
Mitchell began: "Streets and parks in cities across the U.S. and the world were filled with demonstrators today protesting a possible U.S.-led war against Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of protesters jammed New York City streets near the UN, and spread across much of Midtown Manhattan when the designated rally site could not accommodate them all. Despite some scuffles between police and demonstrators and a number of arrests, the protest was overwhelmingly peaceful.
Acosta maintained that "organizers say the rally drew 500,000 people. There were certainly several hundred thousand, filling as many as 40 New York blocks bearing signs that read, 'No blood for oil' and 'Get the warheads out of DC.' Charles Richardson and his wife held posters bearing the picture of a son, who is now awaiting war in the Persian Gulf."
Acosta challenged Richardson: "Some of the soldiers out there might say, you know, 'You're not doing us any good here.'
CBS moved on to Europe. In London, Tom Fenton was in awe: "This may have been the biggest political rally in UK history. Perhaps as many as a million people converged on the center of London to march and denounce American plans for war. And this is Britain, America's closest ally in the campaign against Saddam Hussein. Most people here are appalled at the thought of going to war against Iraq....And protesters are not buying a link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda....In fact, polls show a third of the British public thinks President Bush is a greater threat to peace than Saddam Hussein."
After noting Prime Minister Tony Blair's defense of his policy, Fenton returned to the anti-liberation of Iraq side: "And they demonstrated not just in England. People marched all over Europe, regardless of their governments' stand..."
Fenton concluded: "The Bush administration's efforts to win public support for action against Iraq may have had the unintended effect of uniting European public opinion. This is an entire continent that apparently does not want to go to war. Tom Fenton, CBS News, London."
To end the program, Russ Mitchell offered a positive profile of a bunch of far-left women: "Many of the faces were not young, but most were as excited as the college kids they once were, ready to have their voices heard again. Take this group of easy-to-spot women in pink, practiced protesters, veterans of decades of demonstrations, a small pink spot in a huge crowd marching today."
Despite her lack of affection for Hussein, she aided his propaganda efforts. Mitchell: "Medea Benjamin is from San Francisco, but she's been traveling a lot lately. She and a dozen other Pink ladies just returned from Baghdad, where they spent 10 days touring the country, visiting schools and markets and donating blood."
-- NBC Nightly News. Dana Lewis trumpeted: "The heart of London today paralyzed by the largest anti-war demonstration in British history. By some estimates, up to a million people walked miles carrying the same message: No war with Iraq under any circumstances, even though no one was defending Saddam Hussein."
Lewis maintained: "The message for their Prime Minister and Washington's staunchest ally, Tony Blair, 'Make tea, not war.' Many here were marching for their first time ever in any demonstration, like Barbara Pierce, whose daughter went to Baghdad a week ago to be a human shield....Blair took note of the protestor's message, but in a speech to his Labour Party he insisted that leaving Saddam in power is inhumane."
Lewis added: "Voices in the street and around the world today, a massive demonstration of just how much of the world views the threat and level of danger differently than America, and here how Washington has failed miserably to convince most of Europe about the need for force when it comes to Saddam Hussein...."
Lewis concluded with a very familiar soundbite from Jesse Jackson in London: "Give peace a chance." Lewis then wrapped up:
From New York City, reporter Pat Dawson asserted: "Bundled up against the cold, protesters came by the thousands, filling block after block around the United Nations to make a single dramatic statement against going to war."
Dawson called it "a scene repeated in protests across the country, from Seattle to Milwaukee," before he ran a soundbite from a man sporting a "Fox Sports" jacket and then located the most average people to showcase: "Andrew and Denise Johnson drove from Danvers, Massachusetts, to New York City, their first time at an anti-war rally.
-- CNN and its "Voices of Dissent." During the 12-2pm EST show, anchor Martin Savidge asked Richard Quest in London: "Who organized the demonstration? And who makes up most of the crowd? Is it young people, is it middle-aged, older, give us an idea?"
Savidge posed the same question to Maria Hinojosa in New York:
"Can you give us an idea of who is in this crowd? What ages, perhaps what background, what walk of life?"
The 10pm EST CNN Saturday Night program led with protest stories from New York City, Sydney and Berlin. Anchor Carol Lin inquired of Matthew Chance in Berlin: "Did you see the same mix of people that we've been hearing about in New York, L.A., in Australia right now, middle class, professionals, people who normally you wouldn't expect to find at an anti-war demonstration?"
At about 10:30pm EST Lin pressed historian Douglas Brinkley about the impact of the protests: "When you take a look at the diversity out there, I mean, you had soccer moms out there, professional people, people who have never really participated in mass -- in political rallies. And yet, they felt so strongly about coming out and being heard. Do you think that's an important political factor that the President needs to consider?"
> The true agenda. You can get an idea about the radical agenda of those behind the marches, a subject ignored by the mainstream media, by checking out the Web sites of the organizers:
That last one features Ramsey Clark's effort to impeach President Bush. For the ten "articles of impeachment," go to:
On National Review Online's "The Corner," in an item picked up on Monday by Greg Pierce's "Inside Politics" column in the Washington Times and by Brit Hume on his FNC show, Rod Dreher offered this nugget on Saturday about the true nature of some of the protesters:
NRO also linked to a left coast Web site with photos of the protest in San Francisco, including a picture of Bush as Hitler with blood for a mustache and a sign proclaiming: "Defend Cuba and North Korea against imperialist attack." Check: http://www.right-thinking.com/comments.php?id=P508_0_1_0
For how the networks covered the January 18 marches, see the January 20 and 21 CyberAlerts: "Peace march" whitewash. Ignoring the radical agenda of organizers, the networks painted attendees as sympathetically as possible, stressing how they were made up of "grandparents," "honor students," "soccer moms" and "Republicans." CNN highlighted an elderly Nazi survivor who wants to "stop more suffering." ABC's description: "Black and white, Democrat and Republican, young and old." MSNBC: "A growing number of people are speaking out against a war with Iraq: Students, grandparents, businessmen..." For that and a lot more, see:
NY Times Celebrates Rally: "Throwing a Party
The New York Times on Sunday matched the tone of the networks. "Wide Range of Ages, Races and Parties Unite on Iraq," proclaimed the February 16 headline over a series of dispatches from protest cities, starting with London.
The Times headlined the summary from Paris: "Throwing a Party With a Purpose." Over the dispatch from Rome: "A Festive Tone, But Somber Ideas."
Craig Smith began his piece from Paris:
For the series of dispatches which all ran together:
CBS and CNN Avoid Labeling a Far-Left
The Institute for Policy Studies is a far-left, Washington, DC-based outfit, but on Friday morning its anti-liberation of Iraq expert on the subject went unlabeled by both CBS News and CNN.
When Phyllis Bennis of IPS appeared on Friday's The Early Show with Susan Sarandon to publicize the weekend's protest marches, Harry Smith, MRC analyst Brian Boyd noticed, identified Bennis simply as a "foreign policy expert."
A bit later on CNN, Maria Hinojosa set up a segment: "Joining me to talk about why they are anti-war activists are Phyllis Bennis, who is with the Institute for Policy Studies, and a Middle East expert, and Susan Sarandon."
Smith introduced the 7:30am half hour segment on the February 14 Early Show: "It is being billed as one of the largest anti-war protests ever. This weekend millions of demonstrators are expected to hit the streets worldwide to voice their protest against a possible war with Iraq. United for Peace and Justice is a coalition organizing the rallies here in the United States. Actress Susan Sarandon and foreign policy expert Phyllis Bennis are here to tell us more about it."
A bit later, on CNN's American Morning, Maria Hinojosa handled the remote interview: "We're here inside a union building on 42nd Street, and this has become the headquarters of what they say is an international movement to stop a possible war in Iraq. The organization is called United for Peace and Justice, and joining me to talk about why they are anti-war activists are Phyllis Bennis, who is with the Institute for Policy Studies, and a Middle East expert, and Susan Sarandon..."
Hinojosa's first "question" to Sarandon: "Susan, there might be some people who say that they might not agree with this war, but they don't necessarily want to take to the streets, because they're worried about seeing -- being seen as unpatriotic. Why, as an American citizen, do you think it's important to stand out and step up now?"
The IPS Web site, which will give you a flavor of its agenda:
For a paper by Bennis, "Understanding the U.S.-Iraq Crisis:
Laudatory Reagan Profile, But Couric Relays
In the midst of a generally laudatory review of former President Reagan's tenure in office aired to mark President's Day, on Monday's Today, MRC analyst Geoffrey Dickens noticed, Katie Couric passed along the standard liberal canard about how Reagan's tax cuts and military spending caused the deficit to grow.
Without mentioning how non-defense spending grew much faster than inflation during the 1980s, to say nothing about how tax revenue growth exceeded the inflation rate, Couric asserted: "During his tenure the economy improved but budget deficits grew as he cut taxes and increased defense spending."
She began her February 17 piece on a more positive note: "On this Presidents Day we wrap up our special series on the Commanders-in-Chief with Ronald Reagan. He was the 40th President of the United States and led what many called the Reagan Revolution. A two-term presidency he hoped would be remembered as a great rediscovery of American values."
Olbermann: FNC Staff Should Feel
A nice shot at the Fox News Channel from Keith Olbermann, the former MSNBC host who has filled in for Paul Harvey on ABC Radio, been a commentator on CNN's NewsNight, and is set to co-host the 2004 summer Olympics on NBC.
On Monday, Olbermann filled in as host of MSNBC's 5pm EST Nachman and during a discussion of reality TV shows, MRC analyst Brad Wilmouth observed, Olbermann told Tom Jicha of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
Speaking of humiliation, let's not forget this classic insult from Olbermann on the August 18, 1998 edition of MSNBC's The Big Show in a "question" to then-Chicago Tribune Washington Bureau Chief James Warren:
Now that's an embarrassing supposition to be humiliated about. -- Brent Baker


text:
Research Center for Families and Children (RCFC)
With the collaboration of HES faculty, RCFC will help HES achieve the vision and mission by enhancing the research culture through dynamic strategies.
The Vision of the School of Human Environmental Sciences (HES) at the University of Kentucky is to be a leader in improving the quality of life of individuals and families in Kentucky, the region, and the nation through rigorous academic programs, state-of-the-art research, community-driven Extension, and engagement opportunities.
The Research Mission is to be a leader in improving the quality of life of children, youth, and families in Kentucky, the region, the nation, and beyond through state-of-the-art research.


text:
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTR) announced today the implementation of an initiative designed to accelerate and expand patient access to DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) tablets. Separately, and consistent with its goal of improving awareness and understanding of the disease, Optimer is also announcing a new project analyzing the burden of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090413/LA97352LOGO)
DIFICID, the only treatment approved by the FDA for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in over 25 years, generated $51.1 million in net sales in its first year on the market. Optimer has been successful in generating significant brand recognition for DIFICID among physicians and in communicating that DIFICID has a comparable rate of clinical response at the end of ten day treatment versus oral vancomycin, and a superior rate of sustained clinical response through 25 days beyond the end of treatment. Optimer intends to build upon its successful launch with initiatives that it believes will significantly expand and accelerate patient access to DIFICID.
Today Optimer announced that it is implementing a hospital contracting initiative designed to address cost as the barrier to prescribing DIFICID for hospital inpatients. This program reduces the acquisition cost of DIFICID to acute care hospitals for all inpatients, which Optimer believes will significantly expand adoption of DIFICID in acute care hospitals. Expansion of DIFICID use in acute care hospitals may also have the effect of enhancing DIFICID's retail market, as hospitals' use of generic vancomycin slurry preceded increased retail prescriptions of branded Vancocin® capsules following patient discharge.
Optimer recognizes that continuity of care from the inpatient setting through the post-discharge setting is important. Optimer's RxAssist program provides resources to facilitate continuity of care, including information regarding coverage determination and benefits, prior authorizations, coverage appeals, and information about options for out of pocket assistance. Optimer has seen utilization of RxAssist steadily increase since its launch in August.
"At just over one year post launch of DIFICID, we continue to be focused on greater patient access to DIFICID, which goes beyond initial response in the treatment of CDAD with superior sustained efficacy that extends through 25 days post treatment versus vancomycin," said Pedro Lichtinger, President and CEO of Optimer Pharmaceuticals. "We believe that greater patient access to DIFICID is beneficial to patients, and will result in increased DIFICID utilization."
Optimer also announce that it has new data regarding the burden of disease in the hospital setting. Consistent with its goal of increasing disease state awareness, Optimer commissioned an analysis of Medicare data, intended for publication, which evidences the incidence of Medicare inpatients' CDI readmissions and suggests a link between CDI, hospital readmissions, and increased hospital costs. These data help address gaps in evidence regarding the burden of CDI.
Investor and Analyst Reception on October 8, 2012
Optimer will host an investor and analyst reception on October 8, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time in New York City to expand on the strategy described above, provide a long-term outlook for DIFICID market penetration, and review third quarter 2012 top-line revenues. A live audio webcast of the event will be accessible on the Investors page of the Company's website at www.optimerpharma.com and may also be accessed via listen-only dial in at (877) 442-2965 for U.S. callers and +1- (760) 298-5087 for international dialers. The access code for the call is 37429762. Presentation replays will be available at the same location for 90 days following the presentation.
About Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a serious illness resulting from infection of the inner lining of the colon by C. difficile bacteria, which produce toxins that cause inflammation of the colon, severe diarrhea and, in the most serious cases, death. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea is the most common symptom of CDI. In recent years, C. difficile has surpassed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the leading cause of healthcare-acquired infections in community hospitals. Patients typically develop CDAD from the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that disrupt normal gastrointestinal (gut) flora, possibly allowing C. difficile bacteria to flourish.
About DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) Tablets
DIFICID is the first macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) to be approved in over 25 years in the U.S. It is indicated for the treatment of CDAD in adults 18 years of age or older. DIFICID is administered in 200 mg tablets given orally twice daily.
Important Safety Information for DIFICID
DIFICID should not be used for systemic infections. Only use DIFICID for infection proven or strongly suspected to be caused by C. difficile. Prescribing DIFICID in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected C. difficile infection is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug resistant bacteria. The most common adverse reactions are nausea (11%), vomiting (7%), abdominal pain (6%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (4%), anemia (2%) and neutropenia (2%).
Please visit www.DIFICID.com or call 855-DIFICID (343-4243) for full prescribing information for DIFICID.
About Optimer Pharmaceuticals
Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative hospital specialty products that have a positive impact on society. Optimer developed DIFICID® (fidaxomicin) tablets, an FDA-approved macrolide antibacterial drug for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adults 18 years of age and older and is commercializing DIFICID in the US and Canada. Optimer also received marketing authorization for fidaxomicin tablets in the European Union where its partner, Astellas Pharma Europe, is commercializing fidaxomicin under the trade name DIFICLIR™. The Company is exploring marketing authorization in other parts of the world where C. difficile has emerged as a serious health problem, including Asia. Additional information can be found at http://www.optimerpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements related to Optimer's plans to launch a hospital contracting initiative to lower the acquisition cost of DIFICID to acute care hospitals, any anticipated increase in hospital utilization of DIFICID as a result of that initiative, the potential increase in retail utilization of DIFICID if hospital utilization increases, Optimer's plans to implement other initiatives to increase patient access to DIFICID and Optimer's belief that greater patient access will result in greater DIFICID utilization, Optimer's expectation that utilization of its Rx Assist program will continue to increase, and expectations of future publication of research and analyses. Words such as "believes", "would", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "may", "intend", "will", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Optimer that any of its plans will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations on the date of this release and Optimer undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Optimer's business including, without limitation, risks relating to: Optimer's ability to continue driving adoption and use of DIFICID, DIFICID's ability to compete with cheaper generic competition, whether healthcare professionals will prescribe DIFICID, the extent to which DIFICID will be accepted on additional hospital formularies and the timing of hospital formulary decisions, whether Optimer's hospital contracting strategy will result in additional DIFICID prescriptions in the hospital or retail markets, whether Rx Assist is utilized and whether it will facilitate access to DIFICID and other risks detailed in Optimer's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
David Walsey, VP of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Canale Communications
Jason I. Spark, Senior Vice President
OPTIMER and DIFICID are trademarks of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


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|Alex Schumann
Professor Rafael Fernandes of the School of Physics and Astronomy is one of only 35 scholars across the country to receive an Early Career Research Grant from the Department of Energy. The program seeks "outstanding scientists early in their careers" and provides an award of $750,000 over five years. Fernandes was cited for his paper "Competing Orders in Correlated Materials: Impact of Disorder and Non‐Equilibrium Perturbations," by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
Fernandes received his Ph.D. in physics from State University of Campinas in Brazil in 2008 and joined the University of Minnesota as an assistant professor in 2012. Before coming to Minnesota, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Ames Laboratory and a joint postdoctoral research at Columbia University/Los Alamos National Lab. His main research activities are in theoretical condensed matter physics.
The DOE's Early Career Research Program, now in its fifth year, is designed to bolster the nation's scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during the crucial early career years, when many scientists do their most formative work.
Under the program, university-based researchers will receive at least $150,000 per year to cover summer salary and research expenses. The research grants are planned for five years.
"By supporting our most creative and productive researchers early in their careers, this program is helping to build and sustain America's scientific workforce," said Patricia M. Dehmer, acting director of DOE's Office of Science. "We congratulate this year's winners on having competed successfully for these highly selective awards, and we look forward to following their accomplishments over the next five years."
To be eligible for the DOE award, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory, who received a Ph.D. within the past 10 years. Research topics are required to fall within one of the Department's Office of Science's six major program offices:
Advanced Scientific Computing Research
Basic Energy Sciences
Biological and Environmental Research
Fusion Energy Sciences
High Energy Physics
Nuclear Physics
Awardees were selected from a large pool of university- and national laboratory-based applicants. Selection was based on peer review by outside scientific experts.
A list of all 35 awardees, their institutions, and titles of research projects is available on the Early Career Research Program webpage http://science.energy.gov/early-career/.


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|Lillian (Uskoski) Bulak
I was recently contacted by a reader named Cheryl who wanted to know if my aunt Helen Bulak was related to a woman that she was looking for whose name also happened to be Helen Bulak. We exchanged a few e-mails and quickly discovered that my Aunt Helen was not the Helen Bulak Cheryl was looking for. Nor was my Bulak family the Bulak family that she was looking for. The Bulak family that she is looking for once lived in Newark, New Jersey not Worcester, Massachusetts. Cheryl is not a genealogist, but has done some genealogy research in an effort to reconnect with family. With her permission I offered to share her story here in the hope that someone reading this might be able to help to solve a 60 year old mystery.
Cheryl's aunt, Lillian Uskoski, was born on September 10, 1921 in Hazelridge, Manitoba, Canada. Lillian married a Felix (sometimes known as Philip or Phil) Bulak in Toronto, Ontario on November 20, 1949 when she was 28 years old. In February of 1950 Lillian and Felix left Toronto and moved to 117 Pulaski St., in Newark, New Jersey to live with Felix's family. Eight months after Lillian immigrated to the United States she gave birth to a daughter, Mary Ann, in October 1950. Sadly, Lillian died a few months later on January 2, 1951 at the age of 30. Felix was not able to care for baby Mary Ann. Cheryl's family remembers there was talk of Felix giving the baby to his sister Helen to care for or to adopt. Cheryl's family does not know what happened to Mary Ann. They have not seen her in over 60 years.
What do we know about Felix's family? Felix's parents were Paul Bulak (1890 - aft 1951) and his wife Mary (abt 1892 - ?). Paul and Mary had three children: Casimir M., (abt 1917 - ?); Felix (20 April 1921 - 29 January 1984); and Helen J. ( abt 1928 - ?). They lived in a multifamily dwelling at 117 Pulaski St. in Newark, New Jersey from 1929 until at least 1951 and possibly until 1954 or 1955. Some of the Newark city directories on Ancestry for the 1950s are missing or missing information, but by 1955 the family was no longer listed as living at 117 Pulaski St., and one apartment was listed as vacant. Other residents that lived at the address for a long time or were there around the time Mary Ann was born were:
Adam Adamoski, 1947-1955
Anthony Addotta 1940-1955
John T. Brzezinski, 1955
Edwin Byk, 1930, 1955
Charles Caruso, 1947-1955
Mrs. Rose Charzewski, 1955
Mrs. Julia Jacek, 1940-1955
Joseph M. Sak, 1940-1955
Andrew Trela, 1947-1955
Joseph W. Wortolec 1947-1955
Given that some of the people who lived at 117 Pulaski St. lived there for quite a while, someone might remember the Bulak family and might still remember what happened to Mary Ann. Does anyone who lived at 117 Pulaski St. in the 1950s remember a story of a tiny baby girl being left without a mother? According to a Newark city directory a Helen J. Bulak married a Michael Bilby in 1951. It is possible that Mary Ann's name might have been changed from Mary Ann Bulak's to Mary Ann Bilby. Felix Bulak died on January 29, 1984. He is not buried with Lillian, and a friend, Faustino Taverner, is listed as the next of kin on the funeral record. Felix appears to have died without family. Faustino has also died.
Lillian was sometimes called Lily. Lily could be spelled Lily or Lilly. Her maiden name was Uskoski, but was also spelled Uszkowski. She was described as being 5'8" tall, with a fair complexion, and hazel eyes. Her daughter may have a similar appearance. According to her immigration document Lillian's last known address in Canada was Drurie (sic), though probably Durie, St., in Toronto, Ontario. She immigrated to the United States from Canada via the Niagara Falls, New York border crossing on February 4, 1950.
Cheryl and her mother, Mary Ann's aunt, would very much like to hear from her or her family. If you are Mary Ann Bulak, know Mary Ann, or remember the Bulak family from 117 Pulaski St. in Newark, NJ, please contact me at cshenette at gmail dot com. I will forward your contact information to Cheryl. All information you share with me will be kept confidential.
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A Window In Time, April 11, 1940
Send Up a Flare, Mystery Bride Identified! - Mystery Monday
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- A former U.S. senator brought in to monitor Penn State said Friday the university has gotten "off to a very good start" in responding to NCAA sanctions for the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.
George Mitchell's first quarterly report as Penn State's athletics integrity monitor noted there was a looming deadline to complete a set of reforms, including implementation of a college sports code of conduct, but he said he believes university officials are acting in good faith.
"The university's efforts have resulted in tangible achievements," Mitchell wrote. "Many formal policies have been revised or adopted, including policies to govern background checks for university employees, access to athletics and recreational facilities, protection of children involved in university-affiliated activities, and the duties to report possible child abuse."
The 68-year-old Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant football coach, was convicted this summer of abusing several boys, some on campus. He's serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence but maintains he is innocent.
Three former university administrators, accused of covering up complaints about Sandusky's behavior and lying to a grand jury that investigated the case, have been charged with perjury, obstruction and other offenses. The three men, former president Graham Spanier, former vice president Gary Schultz and athletic director Tim Curley, who's on leave while the final year of his contract runs out, have denied the allegations against them.
Mitchell, who served as a Democratic U.S. senator from Maine in the 1980s and '90s, said more than 9,600 people at Penn State's dozens of campuses already have been trained about legal duties to report suspected child abuse. He noted that university ID is now required for entrance to athletic and recreational facilities and much more elaborate rules are in place for adults involved in programs for children on campus.
"There appears to be unanimity within the Penn State community that one outcome of this tragedy should be greater awareness of the prevalence of child abuse in society generally and the devotion of more university resources to prevent it where the university can play a role in doing so," Mitchell wrote.
NCAA president Mark Emmert said he was pleased with Penn State's progress.
"Penn State has taken the first important steps necessary to ensure a culture of athletics integrity and we look forward to seeing continued progress as the (athletics integrity agreement) is fully implemented," Emmert said.
Penn State president Rodney Erickson issued a statement saying the university was proud of the progress it has made.
"While we recognize that there is much more to do, we're happy that Sen. Mitchell and his team recognize all that we have done and we are committed to continuing these efforts, in full compliance with the consent decree and the athletics integrity agreement," Erickson said.
Mitchell will keep tabs on the university's actions for five years under a binding consent decree it made with the Indianapolis-based NCAA and the Big Ten Conference following Sandusky's conviction.
The landmark sanctions from the NCAA included a four-year ban from postseason play and significant scholarship cuts for the marquee football program.
The agreement with college sports' governing body also included a $60 million fine, among other requirements, but the football program avoided being suspended, the so-called death penalty.
Pennsylvania's congressional delegation on Friday wrote to Emmert, asking him to devote the entire $60 million to child abuse prevention efforts within the state, rather than the minimum of 25 percent currently earmarked.
The university is implementing an athletics code of conduct, which its legal counsel said reaffirms current guidelines.
Mitchell's report noted the code of conduct would be circulated for review and signature to athletes, coaches, administrators, team managers and others in the university community, including trustees.
But three trustees at their board's Nov. 16 meeting sought to emphasize that passing such a code didn't equate to the board giving its approval to the NCAA sanctions, which were agreed to by Erickson. That underscored that deep fractures remain among some alumni over the penalties and Erickson's handling of talks with the NCAA.
Most vocal critics are particularly incensed that the sanctions affected players who had nothing to do with the abuse scandal and that the NCAA acted with uncharacteristic speed in handing down penalties while other legal issues were unresolved.


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Property in Self-Managed Super Funds
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) entered an exciting new era from late 2007 with the ability to buy geared property. The Global Financial Crisis meant a slow start, but now opportunities abound for a SMSF to purchase property, with similar benefits to property purchased outside of super. However, it's a complex area of the law:
Superannuation is a low-tax, even no-tax, environment. Complying super funds pay tax at a maximum rate of 15 per cent. But when in pension phase, they pay no tax. Compare this to Australia's top marginal tax rate being 46.5 per cent and you'll see why property in super is an exciting prospect.
Direct property is only available through SMSFs. You can't hold a rental property through a regular super fund. But there are around 500,000 SMSFs in existence, at the time of writing, and it's only those vehicles that can directly hold residential (or commercial) property. Do you have the time or willingness to learn how to run a SMSF? It comes with considerable responsibilities, but the financial rewards can be even bigger and better than investment properties bought in your own name.
Make your SMSF the landlord of your business premises. Many businesses are run from a property that is owned by the business, or the business's owners. But there can be great reasons for your SMSF to own your business premises: It is an asset where ownership can potentially be transferred into your SMSF.
The size of your SMSF matters. To invest in property through a SMSF, you have two options. You either need the cash to buy the property outright. Or your SMSF needs to borrow. But even if you're borrowing from a bank, your SMSF still needs to have at least about 30 per cent of the property's value, plus enough left over for a lender to be comfortable that you can foot future bills and interest.
Complex structures are involved, so make sure you get it right. The laws allowing lending in SMSFs are particularly strict. And the consequences of getting them wrong are potentially costly and disastrous. There are legal structures (trusts) that need to sit inside the SMSF to hold a geared asset. And, importantly, your SMSF trust deed itself needs to allow for borrowing, which not all trust deeds do.
SMSFs have a large and growing panel of lenders who are prepared to lend in this space. Because of the GFC, banks were initially slow on the uptake of providing compliant loans. But that has changed and most major lenders are offering financing for SMSF property loans now. But beware: They can have some funny individual policies.
You can be the lender to your own SMSF. If you have plenty of equity, it is possible for you — as trustee/s of the fund — to be the lender/s to the super fund. The source of your funds might be savings, or money you have borrowed elsewhere.
SMSF borrowing arrangements are complex and professionals are mandatory. It is not the same as buying an investment property in your own name. And it's highly unlikely that you will have the skills to do it on your own. Get help from trusted independent professionals. The penalties are too severe to bear contemplating.


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What is Concrete5?
Concrete5 is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) similar to Joomla!® and Drupal®.
What sets Concrete5 apart from other CMS?Concrete5 offers a in-context editor. This means you can make edits to a Web page on the page itself, and see updates instantly. The application is simple enough for someone with limited site building experience to use, while still being flexible enough for developers to work with.
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- Pre-installed in the download: photo slide show, YouTube® integration, guestbook, Flash® support, polls, surveys, search, RSS, Google® maps, and a form generation tool.
For more information, see Manually Installing Concrete5 on Your Hosting Account.


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Main Professions Professional Business Cards Unique Business Cards American
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Our Story
"We have a river. We have a chateau. We have the land. We have no vineyard. Every French chateau has a vineyard." – William A.V. Cecil
Early 1900s
Wine takes root at Biltmore.
George Vanderbilt's love of collecting extends to filling his wine cellar.
Early 1970s
William Cecil plants his first vines at Biltmore.
George Vanderbilt's grandson, William Cecil, envisions the idea of an estate winery that honors the agricultural heritage of his grandfather's estate. Despite a variety of obstacles, he plants French-American hybrid vines below Biltmore House, and his inaugural vintage is bottled in the Conservatory basement.
Late 1970s
Philippe Jourdain becomes Biltmore's first Winemaster.
The vineyards are moved to their current location on the west side of the estate. About 150 acres are planted with vinifera grapes. William Cecil travels to France and hires Philippe Jourdain, a sixth-generation winemaster whose expertise and skills, including his suggestion to plant additional vinifera varietals, are integral in building the future of Biltmore's Winery.
The Biltmore Estate Wine Company is established.
The Biltmore Estate Wine Company is formally incorporated, helping to realize George Vanderbilt's original vision of "a self-sustaining entity that thrives on the bounty of the land." Bill Cecil, son of William Cecil and great-grandson of George Vanderbilt, assumes a leadership role in overseeing the conversion of the original dairy into the new Winery.
The Winery's first bottling.
Biltmore Winery bottled its first wines - 1983 vintages of Chateau Biltmore Merlot and Chateau Biltmore Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from North Carolina grapes.
Biltmore Winery opens to the public.
Mr. Cecil calls it "the most historic event since my grandfather had opened his estate to his family on Christmas Day ninety years earlier."
Bernard Delille joins Biltmore.
Bernard Delille, a native of France with a master's degree in biochemistry, joins Biltmore as assistant winemaker. Meet Bernard
Bernard Delille becomes Winemaster.
Philippe retires, and Bernard is promoted to Winemaster and Vice President of the Winery.
Sharon Fenchak joins Biltmore.
She has a master's degree in food science and fell in love with winemaking while living in Vicenza, Italy. Meet Sharon
Sales continue to grow.
Biltmore Estate Wine Company sells one million bottles of wine annually.
Sharon is promoted to winemaker.
Her research in grape-growing technology and wine production methods is a natural complement to Bernard's traditional and artistic perspective.
Retail distribution expands.
Biltmore Estate Wine Company expands distribution to 10 states.
Biltmore commemorates milestones and new additions.
Biltmore Winery celebrates its 25th anniversary. Antler Hill Village opens to the public.
Biltmore Winery celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The winery hosts special wine events and releases a 30th anniversary Red Wine in honor of this exciting milestone.
Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in the country.
We produce about 150,000 cases of wine annually. Our wines have been honored with countless awards and medals, and are now available in retailers and restaurants in 20 states and direct-shipped to over 35 states.


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What impact did your marketing activity have on sales? What's working, what's not? That's what you need to know about your marketing activities to ensure they're giving you what you need. It's why we collaborate with manufacturers and media companies alike, and why we strive to make the critical connection between your marketing and sales–so you can evaluate your marketing strategy from every angle.
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
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Once a mix has been created, the go-loop inside mix will always recur. Obviously, input-channels can be unmixed and the output-channel could be closed, but the process would still never terminate.
Probably mixes should support something like (stop) to to make the mix-associated process garbage-collectable. Operations on a stopped mix should probably throw.


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Why YOU should be watching MMA!
Why should you watch Mixed Martial Arts? Well, it's the best sport in the world!!!! That should be enough for you to get your hands on the latest UFC and Dream events right now, shouldn't it? Still not convinced? Read on:
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I'm interested to hear the thoughts of the community on this. I'm not quite sure I agree with the merit of his first premise. Sure, it's axiomatically stable, but as a factual statement, I don't think it holds much more water than the argument that something cannot come from nothing, as it, in a similar form, lacks an ability to be demonstrated. I agree with it, but I feel like this shifts the burden of proof unnecessarily. I think then, that it creates a house of cards of his argument, as the conclusion is negated if the premise is brought to question.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Views: 616
To whomever (although someday our grammar will allow "whoever") is reading:
"Around 12:30 (20 seconds later) [Guth] states outright that we cannot extrapolate arbitrarily far into the [past], that it is mathematically impossible, that at some point inflation began...."
(Spell checkers other than Apple's also accept any correctly-spelled word; grammar checkers might flag "best" when we human folk know it's a typo and the writer meant "past". "Dumb software!" (I once wrote software, including an early 1970s form of email for limited in-house use.))
Years ago Stephen Hawking said, or was explained as having said, he gave the first few nano-nano-nano-seconds to the Pope. It meant of course that his mathematics did not extend to the so-called big bang.
He was a leader in the field, and leaders need followers. Be wary of followers!
Leaders need to address doubts and persuade; followers need only obey.
Think Sigmund Freud, John Muir, and others. Freud led; his followers obeyed for a while, but instead of addressing further doubts they became dictators and splintered psychiatry (which sometimes strengthens a movement and sometimes weakens it.) Ditto for Muir; his followers obeyed for a while and eventually splintered the environmental movement. Probably helpfully.
Okay, back to cosmology. Hawking admitted that his math neither extended to nor explained the big bang. Followers came along and tried to extend a math suggested by relativity past where Hawking saw it failing. They invented inflation; others invented nothingness.
Accept that with today's hardware, and probably the future's hardware, we will not know.
But heck, if someone with money will pay your salary and for the hardware you need, speak/write with confidence and get some of it.
Catholicism made me a sometimes doubter; politics made me a sometimes cynic.
There's several problems with the Kalam Cosmological Argument, almost all of them associated with the fact that our language is horrendously inadequate to talk about metaphysics, and that it causes us to smuggle hidden assumptions into our logical arguments without realizing where.
For instance, "Everytime I put some extra force onto a moving object, it gains a bit of speed. A photon is an object that's travelling at the speed of light. Thus if I were to add some force to a photon, it will proceed to break the speed of light. Ergo, the speed of light is limit on velocity. Q.E.D."
It's pretty much impossible to defeat this argument without relying on what we've actually observed about the speed of light. The hidden assumption above is that increasing velocity also makes time slow down (general relativity) and you'd need more and more energy to increase the speed of an object (and eventually: infinite energy). But you'd never know that unless you knew about general relativity.
The Kalam -short as it is- has a lot of sloppy language that should make us suspect similar hidden assumptions.
The Universe had a beginning? Well, define beginning of the universe. It's true that we've established that the universe had a moment of rapid expansion from what was already there (probably an environment of zero energy), but does that mean that that was its "beginning"? Possibly it was a natural result of the laws governing that zero energy space, in which case the real "beginning" would have been whenever the advent of these laws started -if such a question even makes sense.
Everything that begins to exist has a cause? Well, define begins to exist. A recombination of matter isn't quite the same as a "beginning" of the universe or the advent of natural laws in a zero-energy space. The equivocation here is dangerous and was precisely the reason the light-speed argument failed.
And there's more problems with the Kalam. Craig has admitted that his language only makes sense if the universe operates according to an A-theory of time. Getting into what that means would take us too far, but suffice to say that virtually all physicists since Einstein disagree and think the universe works under the B-theory of time. If this is in fact true, the Kalam also collapses.
And then even if we accepted the Kalam, the only thing we'd have proven is that this universe has a cause; we can't actually get anything from that. Maybe the cause is the multiverse. And to prove that that has a cause, we'd have to prove that the multiverse has a beginning, which is totally impossible at this point.
So is the Kalam correct? Maybe. Maybe not. We don't really know at this point, and the only people who would claim to know, are those who have already made up their mind about the underlying proposition (i.e. a God). As I like to say "It's not likely to convince anyone who wasn't determined to reach at a given conclusion to begin with".
It is the major premise that causes the deepest trouble: everything that begins to exist has a cause.
This is a statement about the state of the world which establishes a very general premise in metaphysics. Even if it were true of everything in our experience, it still might fail for something not within our experience. In other words it is a gigantic assumption. By its very nature it cannot be verified, but it is expected to be accepted as a reasonable assumption.
The minor premise is not without difficulty as well. It relies on the assumption that there was a time when the universe did not exist. Many will think this is what the Big Bang asserts, but it isn't. In the Big Bang time and space begin together and the space-time continuum in which we exist is the universe. Consequently there is in the Big Bang theory no time at which the universe did not exist, even though the universe has a finite age. Of course the Big Bang theory may be only one possibility, but that is enough—it is a possibility in which the minor premise of the Kalam argument does not hold.
I think there is also a problem with the notion of cause itself—what it is in ordinary circumstances encapsulated in ordinary language loses all its meaning when you speak of the entire universe having a cause outside the universe and of necessity immaterial.
Sometimes a "thought experiment" clarifies. Here is one a primitive tribe might easily hold since it mirrors nature as we know it.
Suppose for the sake of argument there are two supernatural spirits, one male and one female, and that a universe is created when they come together in cosmological intercourse.
Then you have two gods so to speak, neither a creator, and the cause of a universe is their coming together, an event. And what's more there might be multiple universes created in this way.
Is anything in that hypothetical notion prevented by the Kalam argument as stated?
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The Reserve at Katy
Having previously lived in Pennsylvania, where many people dreamed of owning a Toll Brothers new home, it was exciting to see them entering the Katy, Texas home market!
The Reserve at Katy will be opening in Fall 2012 and marketing homes that start in the $400,000's on 180 acres located by Woodcreek Bend Lane and Morgan Parkway.
Among their many accolades, Toll Brothers was also awarded 2011 Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders. To obtain more information about The Reserve at Katy go to www.tollbrothers.com/TX/The_


text: Justin Bieber and Usher at Fuerza Bruta, NYC by jbz 28/04/2012 | 10:50 187 Posted in News Justin Bieber and Usher Friday night at Fuerza Bruta. Usher debuted his new album in an unconventional way. He danced to his new music as part of the off-Broadway play "Fuerza Bruta: Look Up" in New York City. Tags:usher Related Bieber News Justin Bieber & Usher Face $10 Million Copyright Lawsuit over "Somebody to Love" Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber Top Best-selling Artists in the US by Age 25 Usher: 'You haven't seen the best of Justin Bieber's talent' Usher: I'll always be there for Justin Bieber, and be his Mentor -Interview Comments Newer Comments » RILEY 28/04/2012 | 4:45 Oh wat is up with girls they have no taste in music I bet u and Kimberly right bow is listen to rock and roll like all it is ,is screaming who likes that Reply Number1bieberfan 28/04/2012 | 4:43 Im a great singer and i love that song its what most girls would like their bf to be like Reply I LOVE riley 28/04/2012 | 4:42 OH I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS AND I AM.GOING TO TRY TO SEE THEM ND RILEY UR SONG IS NOT BETTER THEN SKYSCRAPER WAT SONG I LIKE BETTER 1#JBFAN SKYSCRAPER OR GLADE U CAM I LIKE BOTH BUT SKYSCRAPER IS BETTER AND HAVE U NOTICE IT IS A LOT OF UK STARS COMING TO USA Reply Tiley 28/04/2012 | 4:38 CUZ I KNOW YAL DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE LYRICS AO I THOUGHT IF I PUT THE LYRICS ON U GIRLS WOULD FINALLY MAKE SENSE WHEN YAL TRYING TO SING A SONG DUH :P:D Reply Number1bieberfan 28/04/2012 | 4:36 Omg ur so lucky r u going to see them Reply Number1bieberfan 28/04/2012 | 4:35 K why did u write boyfriend lyrics i lernt that song in 1 day Reply i love riley 28/04/2012 | 4:34 My favrate song is skyscraper by Demi lovato Reply I LOVE RILEY 28/04/2012 | 4:32 HEY GUESS WAT 1D IS GOING TO LIKE BE PLAYIN DOWN THE STREET FROM ME EKK IM SO HAPPY Reply Harry Style's Girlfriend 28/04/2012 | 5:05 Please tell them that I love Harry and that I am desperately in love with Harry! Im almost 11 and i wanna date Harry!! Tell him that! And tell him to reply back to @arijanacarijana.I follow him. 🙂 Tell them to perform in Lancaster,Pennsylvania. Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 4:30 I did not LIKE THE WANTED AT FIRST BUT I GUESS NOW I DO AND SPEAKING OF TROUBLE GUESS WHO CAME TO JOIN THE PARTY AND WELCOME ME AND 1#JBFAN WILL BE SURVING BLOOD AND GUTS FOR DINNER AND EYE BALLS 4 DESERT Reply Number1bieberfan 28/04/2012 | 4:27 Love that song my teacher played it to my class once and i fell in love with it Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 4:21 NOW I AM I LIKE THE SONG GLADE U CAME BY THE WANTED HBU 🙂 ? Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 4:02 OK NUMBER 1#JB FAN OR HARRY GIRL R U ON Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:59 I'd like to be everything you want Hey,girl let me talk to you If was I was your boyfriend,never let you go Keep you on my arm girl you'd never be Alone I can be a gentlemen anything you want if I was your boyfriend ,I'd never let you I'd never let you go Tell me what you want tell me what You don't I could be be your buzz lightyear Fly across the globe I don't never want fight yeah, You already know I 'ma a make you shine Like you're laying in the snow Burr Girlfriend,girlfriend ,you could be my Girlfriend You,could be my girlfriend until the World ends Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:48 If I was. Your boyfriend I was your boyfriend I'd never let you go I can take you places you ain't never been before Baby take a chance or you'll Never ever know I got money in my hands that I'd really Like to blow Swag .swag,swag ,on you Chilling by the fire why we eatin' foundue I dunno about me but i know about you Say hello to falsetto in three two Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:34 I THINK SHE IS NOT AS SWEET AS SHE SAYS CUZ IN LIKE PICTURES SHE ALWAYS LOOK DEPRESS AND I READ THAT SHE SAID THAT SHE IS TIRED OF BEING A FAMOUS AND IS HARRY GIRLFRIEND STILL ON CUZ I JUST FOUND OUT ONE DIRECTION IS COMING TO MY TOWN AT THE TOWER DOWN THE STREET FROM ME Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:20 JB1#FAN IT IS JUST SOMETHING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT HER IT FEELS LIKE SHE NOT REALLY WHO SHE SAY'S SHE,IS Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:14 GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR:) Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:10 OH YEAH DID ANYONE WATCHED PUNK'D WHEN J.BIEBER WAS ON IT LOL IT WAS FUNNY WHEN HE PUNK'D SMILEY MIYLE Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:02 HEY HARRY GF DO U KNOW HARRY STYLE'S CLEBRITTY CRUSH OS TAYLOR SWIFT BUT I CANT BLAME HIM BUT I JUST DONT LIKE SELENA GOMEZ Reply Harry Style's Girlfriend 28/04/2012 | 5:01 I know that Taylor Swift is Harry's crush. Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 3:00 SHE DOING FINE SHE HAS NOT COMPLAINED BOUT IT AND SHE CAN KINDA WALK ON IT BECUASE THEY GAVE HER THAT STUPID BLACK BOOT DONT U KNOW HOW JB HAD THAT WHITE BOOT ON HIS LEG WEN IT BROKE WELL SHE GOT THAT BLACK ONE Reply Harry Style's Girlfriend 28/04/2012 | 2:59 HARRY STYLE'S INTERVIEW WITH "MACY HOMES." Macy:"I've heard you and your friends' new album Up All Night is burning the charts!" Harry: "Yes! I wanna thank all my fans and I just wanna say that i love them and yea," Macy: "You're oftlely silent about Miley Cyrus!!" Harry: "What?!" Macy: "I've heard you have a crush on her.Rumor? Or not a rumor?" Harry: Rumor! It's such a rumor. I swear.me and her never hang out.but she nice. INTERVIEW ON SATURDAY NIGHT,MACY HOMES INTERVIEW.!!! Reply Harry Style's Girlfriend 28/04/2012 | 3:00 JK.i like harry styles i would never pretend to be him that would just be so mean!!! Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 2:49 WELL DAMN IT ABOUT TIME WOMEN!!! ;:) Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 2:45 HELLO WAT HAPPEN TO 1#JB FAN AND HARRY GIRL R YAL TO STILL ON Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 2:02 HEY AND U GUYS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO TEXT FASTER HA HA HA HA SLOW PUNK'S !!!! JUST KIDDING Reply JaylaBieber 28/04/2012 | 4:22 Wtf?! This is not texting, dumbass. It's called TYPING. Texting is on a phone. Learn the diffrence, slow body. Reply Harry Style's Girlfriend 28/04/2012 | 4:58 Well he's texting cuz he on phone… so don't cyber/ RILEY 28/04/2012 | 1:58 I do I made mistake to push p in stead of instead of a l and i have a touch screen so i need to type slow. But i try texting fast Reply RILEY 28/04/2012 | 1:51 IM ACUALLY PAUGHING RIGHT NOW CUZ IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTIME IM ON U SEEM TO BE ON THE SAME TIME LOL THAT WEIRD NO.SERIOULY Reply Harry Style's Girlfriend 28/04/2012 | 1:54 YOU SHOULD LEARN HOW TO SPELL.IM YOUNGER THAN YOU AND I SPELL BETTER THAN YOU !! EVEN THOUGH I, NOT LOOKING AT KEYBORD. Reply iloveriley 28/04/2012 | 1:02 He looks so happy when I saw dis I stated to smile U SMILE I SMILE Reply belieber4eva 28/04/2012 | 12:05 awww this pic is so sweet , he ooks soo happy , love you jaybee Reply Belieber!!!1994 28/04/2012 | 11:08 What a cutie, I love you Justin!! It's nice to see Usher and Justin together again. Usher is his mentor and is like his big brother. So sweet. <3 Reply gia 28/04/2012 | 10:56 That is so COOL LOVE U Justin <3 Reply Newer Comments » Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Name * Email * Website Current ye@r * Leave this field empty


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Why Is A Charity For Abused Kids Suing A Bunch Of Tech Companies For Patent Infringement?
from the questions-that-need-to-be-asked deptReally not sure what to make of this. A typical patent trolling type organization named Azure Networks filed two separate lawsuits right before Christmas, against a bunch of semiconductor companies, including Texas Instruments, Freescale, Atmel, Alereon, Samsung, Synopsis and others. At first glance, these lawsuits seem pretty typical: filed in Eastern Texas, filed by a small company whose only purpose is to sue, suing a bunch of big tech companies who actually do something. It meets all the standard checkmarks of these types of lawsuits.
But some folks have noticed one oddity: named as co-plaintiff along with Azure Networks is a local Texas charity. The Tri-County Excelsior Foundation is named as a plaintiff, with a note that it is a non-profit corporation that is "a supporting organization" to a charity called Casa of Harrison County. Casa of Harrison County appears to be a perfectly admirable charity -- based in Marshall Texas -- focused on training "community volunteers to be advocates for abused and neglected children in the custody of Child Protective Services."
So why are they a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit? That's not clear at all. I've embedded one of the two lawsuits below. It says that Tri-County Excelsior Foundation is a plaintiff, but does not explain its relationship to the patent. The filing does say that Azure has a license on the patent, but does not say from whom. The patent in question (7,020,501) lists BBNT Solutions LLC as the assignee, but it's possible that the patent has since been handed off to others.
I have no idea if the patent is valid or not. I have no idea if the companies are infringing or not. But it does seem... odd, to see a non-profit charity supposedly focused on helping abused children, somehow getting involved in a typical patent trolling lawsuit.
Filed Under: charity, patents
Companies: azure networks, tri-county excelsior foundation


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The elite eight.
a path to championship weekend for each surviving playoff team. More ...
Usually it's a college basketball term -- not during the second week of January, and not when over half of those teams are fully capable of winning the whole Chalupa.
Let's be honest: Wild Card Weekend ended up being a platter full of snoozers. Nonetheless, the byproduct of those mostly one-sided affairs was some top-notch football from winners, especially the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Five of the last seven Super Bowl winners were forced to play in the opening round of the playoffs, and it's quite possible this year's champion could further the trend.
Of course, Denver -- and its football team, too -- might have something to say about that. In fact, I asked if the Broncos were the top club in the NFL Monday night on Twitter ...
"@harrison_nfl: So...is Denver still the best team in pro football? Just wondering." Is that even a question?â Desert Storm (@Derrickjstom) January 8, 2013
@harrison_nfl ...NFL talk just snuck up on my newsfeed...you not watching the NCG?â Jonathan Lee (@TheOracle80) January 8, 2013
A lot of people feel like Mr. Desert Storm right now. As far as Jonathan's question is concerned, I skipped the BCS National Championship Game to watch the new "Texas Chainsaw" movie. Just take away my man card now. My focus is on the NFL (except when cheesy, gratuitous, one-half star horror movies come out).
Still, the Broncos have, um, butchered opponents enough to retain their top status on a bye week. (Yes, I'll be here all week.) As for the rest of the list, feel free to provide your take: @Harrison_NFL is the dropbox.
Until then, let the dissension commence ...
(Note: Arrows reflect change in standings from last week's Power Rankings.)
PAST: Week 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
Nothing has occurred to alter the perception in this space. Basically, the
Denver Broncos are the best team in football until proven otherwise. Eleven wins in a row did much to change this writer's mind, but more importantly, having home-field advantage is huge, especially if the AFC Championship Game ends up being the New England-Denver clash everyone thinks it will be. Remember how different last season's
Broncos looked
in front of the home folks in the wild-card round versus
the divisional game on the road (against the
Patriots)? Granted, those were different opponents, and this is a different Denver team. But you get the point ...
... on to a different point. One concern could be the possibility of head-coaching opportunities becoming a distraction for offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. Not saying that will happen, but it can happen. Stories abound about former Patriots head coach Bill Parcells taking calls from the New York Jets the week of Super Bowl XXXI, as his New England club was preparing to play the Green Bay Packers. Just saying, these guys are human, and McCoy has never been a head coach before. Wouldn't it be a distraction for you?
Bill Belichick was defensive coordinator on that aforementioned Parcells team 16 years ago, a team that didn't allow a lot of big plays. Hopefully, in the two weeks since the New England Patriots destroyed the Miami Dolphins, head coach Bill Belichick has worked with his assistants to figure out a way to at least slow down the Houston Texans' running game -- without giving up so many big plays on the back end, which has been a problem. It's been well-documented that the Patriots dominated Houston on Monday Night Football in Week 14. But this crappy secondary can't rest its hopes on Matt Schaub repeating the crappy outing (68.8 passer rating) he had that December night.
Atlanta Falcons are a quality football team. There's no question about that.
How quality is the question. The passing game has the necessary components -- name an organization that wouldn't want
Roddy White,
Julio Jones and
Tony Gonzalez at the skill positions.
Matt Ryan was awesome
in Weeks 15 and
16, posting passer ratings of 142.6 and, believe it or not, 142.6 again. Unfortunately, in the playoffs, Atlanta must run the ball, if for no other reason than to close out games. The ground "attack" has averaged 75.5 rushing yards per game at 3.5 yards per crack over the last four games. Yuck.
Oh, one more thing: How imposing would the Falcons be with a healthy Brent Grimes right now? Gooooood night.
How big a difference does Charles Woodson make on the Green Bay Packers' defense? Yeah, that was Joe Webb starting behind center for the Minnesota Vikings. Still, Woodson is like the queen on the chessboard for defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who moves the 15-year vet in all directions to disrupt offenses. Situational football: That's the NFL in 2012, folks. Meanwhile, No. 21 is still most effective when blitzing out of the slot, if you ask me ...
Pushing the
Seattle Seahawks down a notch after
a playoff road win is akin to complaining that a Bentley doesn't get good gas mileage, or that Christina Hendricks' tight top is too turquoise. Seattle has played such impressive team football that there's a growing feeling among those who cover the NFL that the
Seahawks can beat
So, why the lower ranking? Chris Clemons' injury. He's defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's premium piece in pass-rushing situations (11.5 sacks), and his absence will be noticeable in Atlanta. Am I overreacting, 12th Man? Would love to hear your take: @Harrison_NFL is always listening.
San Francisco 49ers got a week off, seemingly important to rest some hamstrings and the like. Nonetheless, the two players who come to mind immediately are
Frank Gore and
Justin Smith. Gore might be the most underrated player in pro football. Sound like an exaggeration? No way. He eclipsed 1,200 rushing yards at 4.7 yards per carry even though teams often
knew he was getting the football. Back in the days before
Adrian Peterson pushed over defenders like they were standing on an imaginary fiscal cliff, 4.7 yards a pop used to be pretty damn stellar. He must be fresh.
Then there's Smith. When he's right, he's the best inside-outside D-lineman in pro football. Not sure how much two weeks can do for a torn triceps, but his health IER presence will do much for Aldon Smith on passing downs.
The Houston Texans' ground game dominated the Cincinnati Bengals' front seven in the wild-card round. It might not excite the 15-year-olds out there who have only grown up with the Matthew Staffords of the world throwing 41 touchdown passes, a bevy of 5,000-yard passers and all the various facets of flag football in the NFL these days. Who cares? Running effectively, especially with a guy like Arian Foster, still has its place. Gary Kubiak's offense carried the rock a whopping 39 times against Cincy. The Texans also busted six runs of 10-plus yards. You want to slow down Tom Brady? Limit his possessions. Run the football. Clock ball, baby.
Baltimore Ravens see the most movement in this special Playoff Edition of the Power Rankings, and it's deserved. Here's what did not suck about
Baltimore's big win:
A) Andrew Luck barely completed 50 percent of his passes, while averaging a miniscule 5.3 yards per throw.
B) Everything Anquan Boldin.
C) The Ravens only asked Joe Flacco to drop back 24 times, essentially making it a team game and not a quarterback game.
... Now, just so we're not totally Positive Perry here, it's important to note that the run defense is still struggling. The Colts and their mediocre (if that) offensive line pushed around Baltimore's front seven enough to rack up over 150 yards rushing at 5.1 yards per carry. Can't have that happen against Denver, with a resurgent Knowshon Moreno in the backfield.
Elliot Harrison is an analyst on NFL Network's NFL Fantasy Live show, weekdays at 1 p.m. ET and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET. Follow him on Twitter @Harrison_NFL.


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UK banks have been pushed to define bank conduct and to develop new approaches to conduct risk and regulation. Regulators have expanded their focus from narrow corporate governance issues to an emphasis on making sure customers are treated fairly. As US banks undertake a similar journey, they can be guided by the experience of their UK counterparts.
In this effort, an emphasis on customer-centricity and cultural change can help avoid legal and regulatory risk while creating value for customers and shareholders. US banks can learn from what UK banks have done, both to make regulatory and compliance-related activities more effective and more efficient and to help establish a stronger competitive position.
UK regulators have focused on five key bank conduct risk themes, and we expect US regulators to follow the same path in conduct regulation.
Key areas include:
Cultural change—A poor culture may reflect a firm's emphasis on incentives for short-term profits, or a focus on rapid growth at the expense of customer benefit.
Personal accountability—Employees need support in understanding their responsibilities, and senior managers need support in taking responsibility for what occurs within the firm.
Misselling—Many business models, strategies and operating models can lead to bad customer outcomes due to embedded conflicts of interest.
Market conduct—Regulators' attention is widening from insider trading to address other types of information leakage and conflict of interest.
Information and social media—The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the use of social media for product promotion while UK regulators are reviewing digital advice to make sure customers' information needs are met.
Banks that have been successful in the conduct risk regulation change process have had certain features in common, including:
Involvement of senior leadership. Strong and visible senior leadership commitment helps push through change at big, complex organizations.
Careful gap analysis. Banks should understand where gaps exist between the current state, and where they want to be.
Operating model change. Firms should be prepared to make changes in how they operate, to be customer-centric and to establish and maintain desired behaviors.
An effective change management process. Good change management includes regular communication with stakeholders as well as effective training.
Considered customer behavior. Firms can use intelligence gathered on customer behavior to redirect promotions toward positive outcomes.
Effective use of technology. End-to-end solutions can support conduct monitoring and production of management information while helping change staff and customer behavior.
Investing in programs driving a strong culture. An analysis of current culture is the starting point for determining how to effect change.
With a focus on risk management and compliance, Bjorn has led high profile risk- and regulatory-focused consulting engagements, business strategy and operating model transformations, in addition to merger integration assignments for clients on the journey to high performance.


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The IUCN community is deeply saddened by the loss of its colleague and friend Dr Susan Mainka. Sue passed away on Sunday 12 February after a five-month battle with cancer. She made a huge contribution to IUCN, to the Species Programme and to maintaining the scientific rigour of our work. The Peter Scott Award for Conservation Merit was awarded to Sue by the IUCN Species Survival Commission on 4 February 2012, in recognition of her pioneering work on the conservation of the Giant Panda, her leadership of the IUCN Species Programme, and her encouragement of conservationists worldwide, especially in Asia.
Sue, who had a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, joined IUCN in 1997 as Deputy Coordinator of the Species Programme of which she became Coordinator in 2001. In 2004, she transferred to the Global Programme Team as one of three Senior Programme Coordinators. In 2009, Sue was promoted to the position of Head – Science and Knowledge Management.
Sue's knowledge and expertise and her dry sense of humour will be missed by many. If you would like to add some words of condolence or share your memories of Sue, please post your text below.


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KFC Team Member - KFC (morenovalley, CA)
13357BR Posting Title KFC Team Member Job Description At KFC, we feed the world. But we do more than fill people up. We fulfill their life. Our meals matter, and when we serve them with southern hospitality, we make our customer's day. So our jobs are more than a paycheck : they're about being independent, having fun, and making new friends. What are we looking for? The good news is that your training will teach you everything you need to know to succeed on the job. But there are a few skills you should have from the get:go: :You like talking : a lot : even to strangers (despite what your Mom told you). This is important, because you're not able to text message customers. :You've got attitude : the right kind of course : and understand the need to be on time, all the time. With loads of energy, you understand that work is easier : and more fun : working as a team. We've got great jobs for people just starting their careers, looking for a flexible second job or continuing to work after retirement. If you want a fun, flexible job and be part of a winning team, find out now why Life Tastes Better with KFC. Apply today Address 16040 Perris Boulevard, Moreno Valley, CA, US City Moreno Valley State CA Zip 92551 Source:


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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - A 13-year-old boy was pulled from a swimming pool after being found unconscious at a Walt Disney World resort.
The boy remains in critical condition after being found in the water around 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Disney's Pop Century Resort in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista.
Orange County sheriff's officials the boy was playing and jumping in the large pool with family members, who are visiting Central Florida from Missouri, and was not seen for several minutes. He was then spotted underwater by his cousin, who pulled him out, deputies said.
The boy's father performed CPR and was assisted by a bystander. several guests called 911, deputies said.
Numerous guests were in the swimming pool at the time, deputies said.
The boy was breathing when he was taken to a hospital in Celebration, but sheriff's officials said he's still in critical condition.
"Our concern is for the young man and his family. We have reached out to the family to offer our assistance and support," Disney said in a statement.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.