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- Research article
- Open Access
Blockade of NMDA receptor subtype NR2B prevents seizures but not apoptosis of dentate gyrus neurons in bacterial meningitis in infant rats
- Anna Kolarova1,
- Ralph Ringer1,
- Martin G Täuber1 and
- Stephen L Leib1Email author
© Kolarova et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2003
- Received: 26 June 2003
- Accepted: 16 September 2003
- Published: 16 September 2003
Excitotoxic neuronal injury by action of the glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) subtype have been implicated in the pathogenesis of brain damage as a consequence of bacterial meningitis. The most potent and selective blocker of NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit is (R,S)-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperid inepropanol (RO 25-6981). Here we evaluated the effect of RO 25-6981 on hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in an infant rat model of meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Animals were randomized for treatment with RO 25-6981 at a dosage of either 0.375 mg (15 mg/kg; n = 28) or 3.75 mg (150 mg/kg; n = 15) every 3 h or an equal volume of sterile saline (250 μl; n = 40) starting at 12 h after infection. Eighteen hours after infection, animals were assessed clinically and seizures were observed for a period of 2 h. At 24 h after infection animals were sacrificed and brains were examined for apoptotic injury to the dentate granule cell layer of the hippocampus.
Treatment with RO 25-6981 had no effect on clinical scores, but the incidence of seizures was reduced (P < 0.05 for all RO 25-6981 treated animals combined). The extent of apoptosis was not affected by low or high doses of RO 25-6981. Number of apoptotic cells (median [range]) was 12.76 [3.16–25.3] in animals treated with low dose RO 25-6981 (control animals 13.8 [2.60–31.8]; (P = NS) and 9.8 [1.7–27.3] (controls: 10.5 [2.4–21.75]) in animals treated with high dose RO 25-6981 (P = NS).
Treatment with a highly selective blocker of NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit failed to protect hippocampal neurons from injury in this model of pneumococcal meningitis, while it had some beneficial effect on the incidence of seizures.
- Meningitis
- NMDA Receptor
- Dentate Gyrus
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Excitatory Amino Acid
Bacterial meningitis is the most common serious infection of the central nervous system and, despite the use of highly effective antibiotics, is fatal in 5–25% of patients and causes neurologic sequelae in up to 30% of the survivors [1]. Two forms of neuronal injury have been identified. The first form consists of necrotic injury in the cortex and is reduced by therapies that prevent the development of ischemia [2]. The second form consists of apoptosis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. It may be responsible for learning and memory deficits observed after meningitis [2].
Neuronal damage during meningitis may be caused by excitatory amino acids (EAA) [3]. The NMDA subtype of EAA receptors is believed to be responsible for excitotoxic cell death associated with neuronal disorders and injury [4, 5]. NMDA receptors are composed of an association of subunits that belong to two families: a single gene product (NR1) with eight splice variants and four different NR2 subunits (NR2A, B, C, D) produced by a different gene [6]. Within the brain, the NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits are more prominent in cortical areas and the hippocampus than in white matter and cerebellum [7]. The NR2B subunits are expressed at highest levels in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and olfactory bulb [8]. During early postnatal development, NR2B subunits may have a more dominant role than NR2A in modulating NMDA receptors throughout the CNS [9]. Recently, NR2B-selective NMDA antagonists have been developed that are protective in focal cerebral ischemia [8, 10]. RO 25-6981 is a noncompetitive, highly selective, activity-dependent blocker of NMDA receptors that contain the NR2B subunit [11]. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the NR2B-selective NMDA antagonist RO 25-6981 on hippocampal injury and seizures in an infant rat model of meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Infant rat model of bacterial meningitis
The animal studies were approved by the Animal Care and Experimentation Committee of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland and followed National Institutes of Health guidelines for the performance of animal experiments.
Nursing Sprague-Dawley rat pups with their dam were purchased (RCC Biotechnology & Animal Breeding, Füllinsdorf, Switzerland) and pups were infected on postnatal day 11. A clinical strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae (type 3) was used. Ten μl of a suspension of the organism in normal saline produced from a log-phase culture was directly injected into the cisterna magna [2, 12]. The inoculum size was ~log10 6.3 colony forming units/ml. Eighteen hours after infection, all animals were weighed and assessed clinically. Clinical severity of disease was scored in each animal and was graded as follows: 1 = coma; 2 = does not turn upright; 3 = turns upright within 30 s; 4 = minimal ambulatory activity; 5 = normal. Seizures as defined by tonic convulsions for >15 sec were observed for a period of two hours (i.e. from 18 to 20 h after infection).
To document meningitis, 10–30 μl of CSF was obtained at 18 h after infection by puncture of the cisterna magna and was cultured quantitatively on blood-agar plates and incubated for 24 h at 37°C with 5 % CO2. All animals were subsequently treated with antibiotics (ceftriaxone, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously once; Roche Pharma, Basel, Switzerland) as untreated animals die from the disease within 20–22 h after infection.
Animals were sacrificed with an overdose of pentobarbital (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) at 24 h after infection or when they became terminally ill (cyanotic, severe dyspnea, protracted seizures).
Treatment regimens
Animals were randomized for treatment with RO 25-6981 (kindly provided by Dr. G. Fischer, Roche Pharma, Basel, Switzerland) or an equal volume of sterile saline (250 μl; n = 40) starting at 12 h after infection. Animals treated with RO 25-6981 received either 0.375 mg (15 mg/kg = low dose; n = 28) or 3.75 mg = (150 mg/kg = high dose; n = 15) subcutaneously every 3 h.
Bacterial titers in the CSF were compared with the unpaired t-test. Incidence of seizures and spontaneous death were compared using Fisher's exact test. The score of hippocampal apoptosis was analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test. The clinical activity score and weight at 18 h were compared with one way ANOVA and the Newman-Keuls post-hoc test for multiple comparison. Probabilities ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.
Clinical outcome
Effect of RO 25-6981 on clinical parameters in experimental bacterial meningitis
Low dosage study
High dosage study
0.9% NaCl (250 μl)
RO 25-6981 (15 mg/kg)
0.9% NaCl (250 μl)
RO 25-6981 (150 mg/kg)
Bacteria in CSF (log10 cfu/ml) *
7.4 ± 0.7
7.3 ± 0.4
7.6 ± 0.6
7.8 ± 0.4
Clinical assessment (score) *
3.5 ± 0.8
3.7 ± 0.7
3.3 ± 0.8
3.4 ± 0.8
Mortality (%)
(hours after infection) *
21 ± 0.9
20.8 ± 1.7
21 ± 1.6
20.6 ± 1.5
Incidence of seizures (%)
Hippocampal injury
In all groups, there was apoptosis in the dentate gyrus (Figure 1). In the group of animals treated with the low doses of RO 25-6981, the median and [range] number of apoptotic cells was 12.76 [3.16–25.3], compared to 13.8 [2.60–31.8] in saline treated control animals (P = NS). Similarly, treatment with the higher doses of RO 25-6981 did not significantly reduce the number of apoptotic cells in comparison to saline treated controls (9.8 [1.7–27.3] vs 10.5 [2.4–21.75]; P = NS).
Several observations led to the exploration of the role of EAA in causing seizures and apoptotic neuronal injury in the hippocampus. First, glutamate concentrations are markedly increased in the brain extracellular fluid and in the CSF during bacterial meningitis [3, 13]. Of note, the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus is in close vicinity of ventricular space. It is therefore conceivable that glutamate may diffuse into this brain structure from the CSF in the ventricular space, when concentrations of the EAA are increased during meningitis [14]. This is important in the current context, since direct ischemia, with subsequent local release of glutamate within the hippocampal tissue does not appear to be the primary mechanism of injury to this structure during meningitis [2]. Secondly, at certain concentrations, glutamate tends to induce apoptosis rather than necrosis in the brain [15–17]. This is of interest in the context of the hypothesis that glutamate may diffuse into the parenchyma of the hippocampus from the CSF in the ventricular system. This could lead to relatively moderate increases of extracellular glutamate concentrations, particularly if the local astrocytes maintain some glutamate scavenging functions, thus favoring apoptosis over necrosis. Finally, our earlier results in a model of group B streptococcal meningitis have indicated that the non-specific inhibitor of glutamate receptors, kynurenic acid, was protective in the hippocampus [18].
The failure of the drug to protect from structural damage despite its functional benefits (seizures) does not appear to result from insufficient dosing. We have used doses found previously to be effective in rats [19], and a 10-fold increased dose, which was high enough to show signs of toxicity (increased mortality) was not more effective than the standard dose. Furthermore, RO 25-6981 suppressed seizures, indicating that the drug did indeed penetrate into the brain in therapeutically relevant concentrations. Antagonists of NMDA receptors are powerful anticonvulsants in many animal models of epilepsy [20]. One obvious reason for the lack of neuroprotection may be that NMDA receptor stimulation by EAA is not causing apoptotic injury to the dentate gyrus. Our study with kynurenic acid, while showing some protection in the dentate gyrus, did not specifically examine whether it was the apoptotic form of injury that was prevented [18]. Another explanation may lie in the fact that beginning at about postnatal day 12, the levels of NR2B protein decline rapidly and reach undetectable levels by 22 days after birth [9]. The animals in our study were 12 days old at the time of therapy, an age where the NR2B subunit can still be documented immunocytochemically [21]. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that the number of functional NDMA receptors containing this subunit is already sufficiently reduced to make its blockade less effective. Alternatively, while the NR2B NDMA receptor may still be sufficiently functional, it may not be directly involved in causing the apoptotic form of neuronal injury observed in bacterial meningitis. Given the effect of the drug on seizures, we believe that the latter explanation is more likely.
In the present study, the NR2B selective NMDA antagonist RO 25-6981 prevented the occurrence of seizures during acute bacterial meningitis, but failed to demonstrate a protective effect on neuronal apoptotic injury in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. The potential of RO 25-6981 to serve as neuroprotective agent in bacterial meningitis is put into question by this study, while the drug may be of value as an antiepileptic compound.
We would like to thank Philipp Joss for the technical support. This work was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (32-61654.00 and 632-66057.01), and by the NIH (NS-35902).
Authors' Affiliations
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This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL.


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OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark II Experience Day at Kew Gardens
by Lucy Clarke
On 5th April I was lucky enough to be invited to the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark II Experience Day at Kew Gardens, hosted by OLYMPUS Ambassador Marcus Clackson. The sun shining, birds singing and OLYMPUS camera in tow I set off and made my way to Kew. I arrived at Cambridge Cottage where I was greeted by the lovely Clare and welcomed into a room where drinks and pastries were waiting for us. It was great to get chatting with other likeminded OLYMPUS photographers. As we had all purchased the same camera it was interesting to hear everyone's different experiences of the E-M1 Mark II so far.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Northwestern Athens County until 1115 AM.
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Dr. Schamber is originally from Cold Lake, Alberta. He completed two years of undergraduate science at the University of Alberta before transferring into the optometry program at the University of Waterloo. In 1997 he received his Doctor of Optometry degree with honours. He then traveled to Miami, Florida to complete a residency in ocular disease and surgical co-management at world renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Since 1998, he has been in private practice in Saskatoon, leaving only for a one-year sabbatical as a staff optometrist at The Eye Institute in New Port Richey, Florida.
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Dr. Finch was born and raised in Prince Albert, SK. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Saskatchewan then moved to Chicago, IL to attend Illinois College of Optometry. In 2012 she graduated with a Doctor of Optometry - Cum Laude.
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Getting a puppy is a big responsibility. It's up to you to bring him up right, all the way from a tiny little ball of fur into a loving and well-behaved adult dog. This means taking care of them, raising them right, and making sure they are healthy and happy. That's why the biggest worry we hear when someone is planning on getting a puppy is "What if I make a mistake?"
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Beginning the potty training in the home.
Many dog owners start potty training their puppies in the home using pads and newspapers. This is sometimes necessary while the pup is still too young to go outside, but if at all possible, all bathroom training should be done outdoors rather than anywhere inside your home. Why? Because your puppy will not carry the training information outdoors into a new environment. Many pet owners assume that once their puppy grows up he will begin to go outside on his own. This is NOT the case! If you teach your dog to go inside the house, he will go inside the house -- and more than likely, all over your house -- forever! Train your puppy to go outdoors where you will expect him to go when he's older, and he will learn faster and easier.
You might have heard about crate training. This is a very humane, safe, and effective way to train your dog and reduce potty accidents. Dogs do not like to potty inside their personal space which is what a crate represents to them: a safe haven, that is all their own. Remember that a dog who has been taught to use the indoors as his bathroom will be socially unacceptable in other people's homes and probably won't be much fun to live with, either.
Letting your puppy do things you won't want him to do as an adult.
This one can be hard to do because puppies are so adorable. Anything they do is cute, from biting your hand or pant leg to pouncing on people. But think it through: an adult dog biting and pouncing on people is not fun, especially if it's a large breed. This is often the result when dogs are allowed to display unwanted behaviors when they are puppies. No matter how cute their gnawing on your finger may be, you need to step back and tell your pup "no." If you don't want your dog to sleep on your bed, sit on the furniture or bark at passing cars, don't let him do it when he's little. Your puppy will carry into adulthood everything you teach him now, so make sure you set clear boundaries.
Changing your puppy's food the day you get him home.
Many new puppy owners experience dismay when their puppy displays signs of sickness on their first days home. More often than not, the puppy is feeling sick because it was fed a new food. If you want to avoid this mistake, ask the previous owner of your puppy what kind of food he is feeding the puppy, and make sure to have the same kind of food on hand at least for the first while. If you want to switch your puppy's food to something else, you will need to do so gradually or your puppy may feel sick, will likely throw up or end up with a nasty case of diarrhea which is no fun for anyone.
To change the brand of dog food your puppy (or adult dog) eats, first feed him only the old food. Then begin mixing more and more of the new food in with the old food until only the new food is left. If your dog does get diarrhea that does not clear up after a few days, change the food again as no dog, either puppy or adult, should have runny stool ever. It is a clear indication that what you are feeding is not agreeing with their digestive system.
In the end, just remember: you can't be prepared for everything, however knowing the biggest blunders pet owners make is the best way to avoid them. Keep asking questions, and keep being a great dog owner.
We at Love on a Leash Trusted Dog Care have years of experience as dog owners and have taken many classes in canine psychology, dog behavior and training, as well as canine nutrition and canine first aid. We strive to help our clients ensure their dogs are happy and healthy not only in our care, but when they return home to you, too!


text:
via Yourboyeddie
The Game invites Rick Ross to holler at him to clear up this "beef" he got on with 50 Cent. Even former enemies of 50 are sidin with him.
The Game chops it about his upcoming show in Seattle, projects he's working on, his beat down of Bow Wow, and his take on the 50 Cent Rick Ross beef


text:
Two men arrested following a series of incidents in the Lurgan, Moira and Lisburn areas on Wednesday have been released on bail pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
The men are aged 32 and 37.
A third man, aged 31, appeared in court today (Friday) charged with a number of offences. It is understood he is also due to appear in Craigavon Magistrates' Court on November 16.
The arrests relate to a series of incidents in which a car, which had been reported driving erratically in Lisburn, rammed a police vehicle and made off.
According to police, it was pursued by police from Sprucefield to Lisnabilla Road, Moira, where it collided with barriers at a level crossing which were down to allow a train to pass.
The barriers were badly damaged and several train services were delays while the line was checked.
The car was then reported to be travelling through Moira village with extensive damage. Police discovered the vehicle crashed on the Clarehill Road, Moira, and the three occupants had made off over fields.
A further report was received that a black Nissan Navarra had been stolen as the result of a burglary a short distance away in Donaghcloney and had been involved in a collision on the Lough Road roundabout in Lurgan.
The three occupants were detained by officers from Auto Crime Team with assistance from members of the public, local police, Air Support Unit and Operational Support Department.


text:
We've all waxed poetic about Imus, his apology and his punishment, but now it is time to take a deeper look at the root of the problem.
During one of his apologies, Imus said he knew the phrase he used came from the black community. He went further by saying, "I'm not stupid. I may be a white man, but I know that these young women--and young black women all through that society--are demeaned and disparaged and disrespected by their own black men and they are called that name. I know that doesn't give me, obviously, any right to say it, but it doesn't give them any right to say it either." And the flood gates opened...
Imus' defense is, basically, that black people use this language, so why can't I? And as much as I hate to admit it given my feelings about Imus these days, he's right. It's time for rap artists to clean up their language and stop pretending they operate by a different set of standards. Just as we are holding Imus, MSNBC, and CBS accountable for their actions, it is time for us to hold rappers to a higher level of accountability for the music they create.
Proverbs 18:21 says "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." It's time for everyone to stand up against the bullies of the rap music industry. It's time for CDs to burn, for letters to be written, for televisions to be turned off and iPod earbuds to be yanked off, all in favor of strengthening what good remains.
I care about this so much because I am an African-American woman, but before that, I am a child of God who can no longer watch young minds be poisoned by rap. The ignorance of the rappers our children look up to is astonishing. These rappers thank God at award shows, but they don't want to stop calling women b*s and ho's. Little do they know, the God they thank desires them to speak life. They thank God for the big houses, fancy cars and accoutrements, but they can't make music that glorifies Him. Why? Would being a positive influence in an already messed up world be such a bad thing? They must acknowledge the power for both good and evil within music.
How can music have that much power? It has that much power when the only thing you hear or watch on television is the degradation of women through misogynistic lyrics and imagery. It has that much power when the record execs applaud their artists for creating music devoid of substance. It has that much power when we sit back and watch our society crumble in the hands of ignorant rappers who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.
Snoop Dogg believes that he and other rappers cannot be compared to Imus, that the white guy should be condemned for using derogatory language while the rap artists should get a free pass. In a story posted on MTV.com, Snoop said, "[Rappers] are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We're talking about ho's that's in the 'hood that ain't doing sh--, that's trying to get a n---a for his money." Snoop, you may not be talking about "no collegiate basketball girls" in your music, but you do rap about women being "ho's" without specifying why you use that term about them. That is someone's mother, daughter, or sister that you are rapping about. So, unfortunately, your definition of what makes a woman a "ho" will always fall on deaf ears until the day your realize there is never an appropriate time to call a woman a "ho."
What Snoop and other rappers forget is that while they differ from Imus in race and perspective, they all operate within a sphere of influence capable of either building up or destroying minds.
These rappers need to stop being so selfish in assuming that everyone is smart enough to see through their self-evident ignorance. Their lack of moral compass has steered our society off the mountain and into the pit. There has never been a clearer arrow that points to why our children curse like sailors, have the sexual proclivity of a man on Viagra, and possess minds unable to comprehend academic work nearly as much as they can retain lyrics to the latest rap song bar for bar. Scripture says that the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword able to cut between soul and spirit, bone and marrow. But for these perilous times, some rap music can be just as powerful and consuming.


text:
BOSTON – The Marcus Smart Experience is Game 5, waning moments of the conference semifinals clincher against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Smart missing a free throw he tried to make and making a free throw he tried to miss before swooping in like a free safety to make a game-saving steal to make up for all of it. It's Game 1 of the conference finals, early fourth quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are chipping into a double-digit lead. Smart bricks a driving layup, which could have given the Cavs momentum, but then, after a turnover, knocks down a 3-pointer that effectively puts them away.
The Marcus Smart Experience is a wild ride.
[Yahoo Fantasy Football leagues are open: Sign up now for free]
As the Boston Celtics march toward one of the more improbable Finals trips in recent history, Smart is the team's wild card. Defensively, Smart is rock solid. If Al Horford is the connective tissue that binds together Boston's top-ranked defense, Smart is the weapon coach Brad Stevens can deploy in it. He defends four positions, as comfortable chasing JJ Redick around screens as he is battling Tristan Thompson in the paint. With Smart on the floor, the Celtics' defensive rating in the postseason is 98.9; when he steps off, it falls to 108.4.
Smart is the burly teenager who grew up dreaming of being a power forward but only sprouted to 6-foot-3. He doesn't just like physical play — he craves it. Most guards get help when they are switched on to bigger players. Smart routinely rejects it. In the final minutes of Game 5 against Philadelphia, Smart was overwhelmed in the paint by Dario Saric, the Sixers' 6-10, 223-pound forward who flipped in a layup to extend Philadelphia's lead to four. Two possessions later, Saric posted up Smart again. This time, Smart held his ground, forcing a Saric turnover that preserved a tied game.
"He got me once, and it was a good play," Smart said. "He wasn't going to get me again."
And not asking for help?
"I pride myself so much on defense, holding my ground," Smart told Yahoo Sports. "I try to make it so if I can guard without help, it forces us to stay in our shell. That sends a message to another team when you have a guy who has been dominating and the other team tries to bring help and the guy they are helping tells them no, and then he gets the stop, that's demoralizing to an opponent. When they feel they can't beat a guy who doesn't need help, that's a problem."
Offensively, Smart is more unpredictable. On his good days, he's a power guard who can score through contact and be a threat from beyond the 3-point line. In Game 2 against the Sixers, Smart racked up 19 points and made 40 percent of his threes. On his bad days, he's erratic, trying to score through multiple defenders and missing badly from beyond the arc. In Game 3 of the conference semifinals, Smart tallied just nine points, missing 6-of-7 threes.
Stevens' message to Smart? "Let it fly," Stevens said. Stevens' playing career topped out at Division III DePauw, but his coaching style has been significantly shaped by his experiences as a player. He doesn't like to pull guys with early foul trouble because he remembers how it used to affect his rhythm. And he hates publicly talking about his players' shot selection because he knows how it would impact him.
"When I was playing, I was pretty weak mentally, and I think that one of the reasons why I'm hesitant [to talk shot selection] is because it would really affect me, in obviously a way lower level," Stevens said. "But I think that I want guys playing free. I want them excited to make a mistake and learn from it and move on. You know, Marcus Smart makes a ton of winning plays, and because of that, he deserves to take those opportunities because we all believe he's going to make them."
Added Smart: "I take what the defense gives me. I'm not going to make every shot. I understand that. If all my shots I take are great shots, and I'm not making them, but they are great looks, I'm OK with that. That's a good game for me. Eventually those shots are going to fall."
Smart has always been a streaky 3-point shooter, but he cracked 30 percent from three this season for the first time since his rookie year and has worked hard to become a more consistent threat. A late-season right thumb injury created a new problem. The injury — and the padding Smart wears to protect it — has "changed my whole release," said Smart. It has created discomfort, even pain, which Smart experienced on Tuesday, when the placement of the splint on his hand caused more than the usual soreness.
He'll keep shooting, with Stevens' full support. "If the question is, 'Have I ever thought twice about Marcus Smart shooting it?' " Stevens said. "No. And I believe wholeheartedly on these stages and in these moments he makes big ones." When he makes them, Smart can be Boston's best player. His defense has limited Kyle Korver — who averaged 14.5 points against the Toronto Raptors — to just 16 total through two games in the East finals. Boston's defensive rating is 84.6 in this series with Smart on the floor — and 105.5 with him off. If he's having the same impact offensively, the Celtics will be tough to beat.
"I'm not worried about shots falling. They are going to fall, they always do, they always have," Smart said. "The greatest players in the world have had bad nights. Brad is always saying the law of averages say the shots are going to fall. If I'm making the right play, they are going to go in."
More from Yahoo Sports:
• 25-year-old arrested for posing as HS basketball star
• Golfers play on while volcano erupts
• Michigan State settles with Nassar victims for $500M
• 'F—ing thief': Cavs player doesn't hold back about Boston GM


text:
by The Rev. Rich Heinz
Three years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. People faced massive hardships and loss of property. While the media focused mainly on New Orleans, a sizeable region of our nation was hurting. Chaos and violence arose in various flooded and damaged neighborhoods. While our government was "getting its ducks in a row" to respond, many said it was too little, too late. It appeared to many news interviewees that the President and other officials did not have their priorities straight.
This week the Lord who stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee permitted Hurricane Gustav to blow in from the Gulf. It fell short of the predicted strength, and damaged far less than expected. Yet the loss is still quite real, and the hurt still cries for healing.
In apparent response to the criticisms from 2005, President Bush did not speak in person to his party's convention this week. He remained in Washington, after surveying the hit region and meeting with disaster response coordinators. Even though his words and actions were for the good of all when Katrina hit, with Gustav the President has been sure to send a clear message that his priorities are straight.
The Lord demands that our priorities are straight, as well. "You shall have no other gods," He commands. This statement begins His Ten Commandments, with the others flowing from it. If we truly could keep this mandate, we would be able to keep all of His Law. All would be well, as we earned God's favor, keeping Him as our Top Priority.
How well do we do? Not well at all. In fact, we are miserable at having no other gods. The Lord is NOT our top priority, no matter how hard we try. For several millennia, since the serpent seduced Eve and her husband, the Lord has not been the top priority – we make ourselves our top priorities! And as Saint James reminds us, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it." (James 2:10) With our failure of priorities, we have failed completely.
Yet the Lord reminds you today: your priorities do not save you! In fact, He tells you that you are His priority! Our loving Savior displays the ultimate in love and mercy as He gives everything for you, suffering and dying in your place. You are His priority as He places His name upon you in Holy Baptism, and frees you in Holy Absolution. You are His priority as He places salvation in your ears with His preaching and in your mouth with His Holy Supper.
Yes, you are Jesus' priority, as he brings you forgiveness, life, and salvation. The storms of this life will come and go. And the love and mercy we are gifted to show others during these hard times are a blessing. Thanks be to God; He does this all for you!
Rev. Rich Heinz is Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lanesville, IN. Pastor Heinz also serves as editor of the Higher Things Website.


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If you're like me, you'd like to add some new links to one of the Django admin lists (perhaps to delete right from the list or to direct a user to a custom made view).
Here's the relevant code:
To your model, add:
def some_name(self):
return 'Link Name' % self.id
some_name.allow_tags = True #this is to allow HTML tags.
some_name.short_description = 'Table Header Name here'
And then just add "some_name" to your "class Admin" in the "list_display" list. Nice and neat.
Adding additional links to Django's Admin


text:
On Tue, 20 Aug 2002, fantasai wrote: > > ua.css - > > ul { > margin-start: 2em; > } > > author.css - > > ul { > margin-left: 4em; > } > > list.html - > > <title>A List</title> > <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="author.css"> >
 >
apples >
milk >
bread >
peanut butter >
 > > > Reasonable case, no? The author is going to be a bit surprised at the > result, though. During the CSSWG meeting last week, David Baron came up with an ingenious scheme to solve this. However, the point is pretty moot since, for now, it has been decided to drop the BASE (before/after/start/end) properties to avoid property glut. (To convert CSS2.1 to BASE would require the addition of 34 new properties and 26 new keywords, and CSS3 makes this even worse.) The theory goes that in practice, stylesheets written for ltr documents don't Just Work for rtl documents as well. FWIW, David's proposal was: margin-left: 2em sets margin-left-value to 2em margin-tb-lr-left-source to left margin-tb-rl-left-source to left margin-bt-lr-left-source to left margin-bt-rl-left-source to left margin-lr-tb-left-source to left margin-rl-tb-left-source to left margin-lr-bt-left-source to left margin-rl-bt-left-source to left margin-start: 4em sets margin-start-value to 4em margin-tb-lr-left-source to start margin-tb-rl-right-source to start margin-bt-lr-left-source to start margin-bt-rl-right-source to start margin-lr-tb-top-source to start margin-rl-tb-top-source to start margin-lr-bt-bottom-source to start margin-rl-bt-bottom-source to start Then to determine what margin value to use for the left side, you look at the relevant *-source property, which would be decided based on the 'writing-mode' property (a shorthand which also sets 'direction'). For example, in top-to-bottom left-to-right text like English, you look at the 'margin-tb-lr-left-source' property, and find it is set to 'start' (since the 'margin-start' rule overrode the 'margin-left' rule) and so you use 'margin-start-value'. In right-to-left bottom-to-top text, you would look at 'margin-rl-tb-left-source', and find that that is set to 'left' so you use 'margin-left-value'. It's a remarkably neat scheme. -- Ian Hickson )\._.,--....,'``. fL "meow" /, _.. \ _\ ;`._ ,. http://index.hixie.ch/ `._.-(,_..'--(,_..'`-.;.'Received on Saturday, 31 August 2002 15:41:29 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Monday, 2 May 2016 14:27:03 UTC


text:
Winner of the Best of Natural Beauty Awards, Surya Brasil's high-performance Henna Powder is an anti-oxidant rich semi-permanent hair color that infuses hair with lush, vibrant color while nourishing with sustainably harvested botanicals.
100% Natural Hair Color with Long-lasting Gray Coverage
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Easy to use, these at-home natural color shades are hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested as well as safe for use on chemically treated hair, color-treated hair and highlights.
Lawsonia Inermis (Henna) Extract, Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Extract, Acácia Concinna Extract, Indigofera Tinctoria (Índigo) Extract, Terminalia Belerica Extract.
Suggested Use
Questions & Answers
Customer Reviews & Ratings
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physic ian before using this product.


text:
90-Minute PRO Webinar: Link Building Strategies on Thursday Dec. 10thBlog Post: December 01, 2009
It said it was full when I tried to register aswell.
I've just called SEOmoz up now and apparently a lot more people signed up than they had expected and the 1,000 seats have all been taken. They arn't/can't encrease the number of seats for this particular webinar so they are going to be replaying it on Tuesday with another live Q and A.
Hope that helps anyone in the same situation as me.


text:
Reaching $1.6 billion, a record,
the lottery summoned a record…
(the dream of becoming a billionaire,
surely bigger than that of being a mere millionaire,
and definitely better than that of a trifling thousandaire)
…number of gamers,
most of whom, small risk-takers
who plunked down $2
to bet
they might get
(if not every dollar, then)
at least a small part of the pot
(Is that a lot
to ask
when the number's so vast?)
Well, the winning numbers are all in –
Of the millions who bet,
perhaps praying to the silent sky
(for I don't think God cares, by the by)
That they might get
a piece of the pie,
the pot was split among but three,
each now a half-billionaire to be
(at least, before taxes!).
I didn't wager,
not even a dollar,
for with a 292,000,000 to 1 probability
I found it hard (really, an impossibility!)
to see myself a winner
(so, as I didn't wager,
today, I'm $2 richer).
Though happy for the three now with their bank accounts o'erflowing
(though now, too, I think they'll have more friends than they e'er thought of knowing!),
I still have a question, 'round my head racing:
I wonder how many of our sisters and brothers poor,
from their meager financial resources, poured
their money,
which they could ill afford,
into the lottery,
that they might net
a part
of the pot,
all for naught?
Another question nagging:
What sort of society sanctions gambling,
which, doubtless, entices the spending
of those on the margins living?


text:
Why TeamUltra?
TeamUltra, now part of Computacenter, is the UK's leading ServiceNow partner. We provide services, consultancy and integrated solutions around the Now Platform. This snapshot of our business demonstrates our unmatched expertise, capabilities and credentials in the service management market and we are proud to run our own business on the Now Platform.


text:
USCG & State Licensed and Insured
Fishing Calcasieu Lake
& near Shore Rigs
Multi Boats Available
Rod & Real Repair Lake Charles LA
Your reels are our deal. We specialize in high quality Cleaning and Repair of your reels. We also make custom rods and feature custom reel painting! We are located in Bell City but receive reels from Lafayette, Baton rouge and New Orleans within two business days. All reels are disassembled and cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. All bearings are cleaned, blown out, and re-oiled. All parts are checked before being put back together. The reel is then checked to ensure that it operates smoothly. Only parts that need changing will be changed. Old parts will be returned.
We super tune bait casting reels. The reel is disassembled and cleaned. Then we polish all the parts to remove as much of the friction as possible. This includes the worm gear. When completed, this reel will be super smooth and will cast further and easier with less effort. In a day of fishing, you will know the difference. The drags will be smooth with no jerking. If you ever use a reel that has been super tuned, you will be sold on it for life.
We buy used shimano curado 200's which we refurbish and resale. We also will install Boca Ceramic orange seal bearings at customers request!


text:
I. Creation Myths in the Early Vedas
Cosmogony: explanation of how things got started; tell us something about the living nature of the world; a form of asking and answering philosophical questions
Three creation myths (and there are many more):
1. Indra slays Vrtra:
a. Early Vedic religion was polytheistic yet strove for deeper understanding of the world
b. The categories of "non-existence" and "existence" – primordial, undifferentiated, inertia, passive state of potential (chaos) / differentiated, active and creative process of becoming (order)
c. Vrtra: darkness and bondage, keeps the waters trapped in his belly (or within a mountain around which he is wrapped). Water as primordial condition. Indra: powers of existence, creation, order in the world
d. Indra overcomes Vrtra: Reaching to the heart of creative potential to release it into activity and order.
e. The cosmogony is a myth about the first time. But not the one and only time. It is also about the ongoing and dynamic nature of the world. Moving from "non-existence" to "Existence," from passive to active and back again.
f. Central concern in the early Veda: How to maintain the
world in its ongoing process of becoming.
2. The Hymn of Origins
a. Philosophical speculation embodied in narrative form: Wondering about the ultimate nature and source of all things: what lies beyond ordinary experience?
b. The One behind the Many: India's question: What is the relationship
between absolute unity and infinite and
creative multiplicity.
3. Purusha Sukta
a. A Sacrifice (yajna)
i. As microcosm
ii. As creative paradigm of all existence
As means of
maintaining the worlds creative and ordered processes via connections between
the world and the elements of the sacrifice
b. Rta: principles of order and process that govern the world
1. Two uses of the word "Veda": whole body of revealed texts; earliest layers
of Vedic literature (Samhita). Veda =
cognate of English "wisdom" or "wit"
2. Sruti and Smrti: two categories of sacred text
a. Sruti: Directly revealed
b. Smrti: Divinely inspired
3. From oral traditions to text.
a. An ancient system of double-checking: the texts learned and recited in two forms
(with sandhi, without sandhi)
4. The Four Samhitas:
a. Rigveda: hymns of praise (ric). 1028 hymns, ten divisions or books. Composed in Sanskrit, early as 1200 BCE.
b. Samaveda: collections of songs (samans) based on Rigveda with instruction on recitation
c. Yajur Veda (white and black): incantations (yajuses) and verse recited during ceremony, declaring purpose and meaning of each act.
d. Artharvaveda (Artharvans, medical practitioners): hymns and incantation for spells and magic formulas Ritual function: mantra (verses used in liturgy) and brahmana (ritual exegesis)
e. Each constitutes a branch (shakha) to which all subsequent Vedic texts attach
1. Purusha Sukta
2. Hymn of Origins
3. Veda
4. Vrtra
5. Indra
6. Agni
7. Samhitas (all 4)
8. Shakhas
9. Brahmanas
Any locations on the map exercises and information from the course Timeline (top of syllabus) can appear on a quiz or exam.


text:
Shearwater founder, Jonathan Meiburg, and the rest of his current touring band stopped by KDHX before their Off Broadway show to meticulously record a gift of four songs for lucky listeners. Enjoy some behind-the-scene shots from the in-studio performance.
Stream the entire performance here at KDHX.
Full photo set | Facebook | Email email@example.com for image use


text:
Whether your old pants are worn out, damaged during training, or you just need an extra pair to keep up with your training regimen... these KD Elites are an affordable and reliable pair. Made from a lightweight, breathable cotton/polyester blend that suits anyone looking for pants to stay cool and comfortable during the hotter months.
A comfortable elasticated waistband will accommodate a broad range of waist sizes, plus the internal drawstring is there to tighten up and secure the fit.


text:
Just a warning, I may not finish this post. I just took two sleeping pills and chased them with a beer. I've developed horrible insomnia. I hate being alone at night with my thoughts. I don't like where they go.
My mortgage company effed up and took out two thousand dollars extra from our bank account. They sent us a letter two months ago saying that our monthly payment would go down to $1,700 because we no longer had to pay PMI. Wanting to pay off our house sooner, I called them and told them to make our new payment an even $2,000 and put the extra $300 to the principle. Well the asshat deducted $1,700 and then an ADDITIONAL $2,000. This was on July 3rd. Despite apologizing numerous times, they have yet to put the money back. Dillweeds.
My husband found my secret credit card charges. He, "accidentally" opened the bill. I told my mother and her reply was, "did I teach you nothing?"
I've started to get that feeling again. That feeling that has no words. It's because Jimmy's second anniversary is coming up. I feel like a black cloud is following me. I want to be happy with Andy. After all, I have one living child, which is more than many women have. Yet I can't.
Oh.. and my MIL may be moving in with us. She cannot move around very well and needs care. While I don't want her to move in with us, I can't tell my husband, "no." What if it were reversed and it was my mother who needed care? But uugghhh. Just ugghhhh.
On a happy note, Andy is now pulling up to a stand on EVERYTHING!! He'll be cruising in no time. And he's darn cute too.
HA!! It appears I'm still awake. Stupid over the counter sleeping pills!!! I'm calling for my Doc to get an RX for Ambien. Ahh.. Ambien..


text:
|Me, Myself & IE
|I Mean ItE
|West CoastE
|Him & I
|No LimitE
Mar 2019 • 1 song
Dec 2018 • 5 songs
Oct 2018 • 1 song
With his slicked-back hair and leather jacket, American rapper G-Eazy was known as "the James Dean of rap" when he debuted in the late 2000s. Armed with bars that detailed hedonistic excess and conflicted inner turmoil, he steadily climbed the charts in the 2010s on the strength of his hit duet with Bebe Rexha, "Me, Myself & I," from his major-label debut, 2014's These Things Happen. He repeated that success in 2017 with third album The Beautiful and Damned, which paired him wit... Read more


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This week, Phone.com will co-sponsor the third annual USI Tech Roadshow, an innovative event that brings together US-based investors and some of the hottest Israeli tech startups.
Hosted by the US Israel Business Council in New York City, the roadshow gives Israeli technologists the opportunity to demo in front of a seasoned panel of investors and mentors, and raise funds through the USI network of investors, senior executives and company founders.
Event Details:
When? May 7, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Where? Morgan Stanley HQ, 1585 Broadway, New York City
Follow USI BC: Facebook | Twitter


text: It's Friday, it's been a very long, hot and sticky week and you're knackered; you just can't wait for the week to end. Here's something to cheer you up in the towering inferno that is the air conditioning-less office -- a bumble bee actually high fiving some dude. Absolutely brilliant. [YouTube via BuzzFeed]


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Accessibility refers to the fact that something can be used or known without the possible limitations of a user being a barrier. These limitations may have their origins in physical, technological or structural causes.
Thus, a tool is accessible when users do not need to have, permanently or occasionally, a particular level of intelligence, hearing, vision, mobility or capacity for remembering.
"la Caixa" Banking Foundation strives to make its portals accessible, regardless of the kind of hardware, software, web infrastructure, language, culture, geographical location or capabilities of its users.
The aim is to have verified accessibility for all the contents of the portal and its online banking service. To do this, "la Caixa" follows the recommendations of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium that sets standards for the World Wide Web. It was created in the 1990s to encourage the evolution and inter-operability of the web, emphasising its universality.
In 1997, the W3C created the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) to provide guidelines and resources to help make the web accessible.
The W3C developed what are known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), whose main function is to guide the design of web pages towards an accessible model.
The web content directives (WCAG 1.0) for level AA web accessibility have already been introduced in our corporate portals. Nevertheless, the aim is to have this accessibility certification in every possible area.
To meet the requisites set by the WAI, its web standards were used in the construction the website's pages, using HTML for content and CSS for their appearance.
For example, the following were introduced:


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Unlock Timeless Beauty With The Secrets Of The Dead Sea
Oct 30, 2015
Dunaliella AlgaeThis microalgae, thriving in the highly concentrated salt water, has become a vital component in many skin care products, like the Age Control Brightening & Renewal Serum, and it's no wonder why. It's not only rich in beta-carotene, but its natural anti-oxidant properties protect skin against UV radiation, reinforce the immune system and slow aging and cell degradation by protecting against free radical damage.
Dead Sea WaterBeautiful, healthy skin is hydrated skin. And what better way to hydrate your skin than by using a product infused with the Dead Sea's water, which has the highest concentration of minerals of any natural body of water. These minerals help your skin absorb and retain the water from products. With a gentle application of a product laced with the Dead Sea's water, like AHAVA's Time To Hydrate Active Moisture Gel Cream, you'll immediately notice how quickly your skin absorbs this moisturizing, leaving your skin feeling supple, replenished and invigorated.
Dead Sea MudMud masks are all the rage right now, but do you know where the mud in your mask comes from? The Black mineral mud found gracing the bottom of the Dead Sea's floor is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Because of the intense concentrate of minerals laced within it, the mud has a calming effect on the skin, soothing roughness, redness and cracking. Not only that, but using a product like the Time to Clear Purifying Mud Mask will not only calm enraged skin, but work deeply to purify and detox your skin for a clear, radiant complexion. You can also enter for a chance to experience these ingredients for yourself!
Red Micro AlgaeThe effect of this algae on your skin is as extreme as the environment that fosters it. Because of the high levels of anti-oxidants contained within the rare botanical extract, using something like the Extreme Firming Eye Cream is your best line of defense against environmental aggressors. In addition to resurfacing the skin, the lightweight algae-laced formula promotes cell turnover to diminish appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
MyrrhThough known for creating an earthy, warm aroma in many perfumes, this woody extract not only has a powerful effect on your senses, but your skin as well. Myrrh oil has been used medicinally since ancient times, especially for healing the wounds of men in battle. By choosing a product containing the extract, such as the Age Control Even Tone Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20, you'll not only see a more even complexion, but you'll also see a visible reduction in fine lines and a brighter, youthful appearance. Enter for a chance to turn back the hands of time with these rare ingredients! This post is brought to you by YouBeauty and Ahava.
7 Winter Skin Conditions You Can Fix With One Single Product
Oct 30, 2015
Wind BurnBetween skiing, ice skating, and getting caught in the occasional blizzard, your skin can suffer some major skin strain, including windburn. Even the healthiest skin can be agitated by gusts of wind that dry it out and cause flaking and irritation, which is where Extreme Healing steps in to save the day. "SkinClinical protects and restores the skin barrier, holds in moisture and stabilizes the microcirculation that is altered by wind and cold." says Dr. Glassman.
Dry SkinProtect your skin's barrier from harsh environmental conditions by moisturizing with SkinClinical Extreme Healing Daily Treatment throughout the day and overnight. According to Dr. Glassman, scaly skin happens because a "combination of low humidity, cold and wind dry the skin and damage the skin barrier." If you're starting to see some scaly spots appear, there are a few things you can do. First, target dry spots or breakouts using the Repair Concentrate - it has double the concentration of SBD-4 for immediate hydration and deep restorative treatment on skin. In fact, consumer perception studies revealed that 100 percent of SkinClinical users saw immediate improvement in skin hydration – crazy, right? Dr. Glassman also advices adding a humidifier to your bedroom and avoiding long hot showers or skin products with alcohol in them.
Adult EczemaEczema flares can be triggered during the harsh winter season. Prevent eczema-related skin issues such as itching, scaling, and rashes by keeping your skin intensely hydrated with SkinClinical Extreme Healing, along with using other topical treatments and antihistamines your doctor prescribes. Additionally, be sure to use mild soap, avoid long showers, and stay away from scratchy clothing. It's important to also keep stress down to avoid flare-ups, which can be tough especially during the winter!
Cracked HandsWinter wind can wreak havoc on your hands, especially on those days when you forget to grab your gloves! Cracked hands caused by blustery winter cold can be painful and make even simple acts, like shaking hands or opening doors, uncomfortable. But you can combat these harsh effects with an ultra-hydrating lotion like SkinClinical's Extreme Healing topical treatment. Extra tip: Apply healing lotion right before bed, so it can get to work overnight while you're not actively using your hands (and don't forget Dr. Glassman's advice to use humidifiers, and avoid those long hot showers)!
Tissue IrritationOne of the worst parts of a cold is being left with sore skin after blowing your nose one time too many. "Mechanical irritation can cause mild abrasions or minor wounds," Dr. Glassman says. "SkinClinical is designed to treat wounds of this type by healing the skin barrier and improving microcirculation. This improves the metabolism of the skin and promotes healing."
CuticlesCuticles need special care just like any other part of the body, and icy air poses a threat to them, especially since they're so delicate. Be sure to wear gloves when you're outside to keep cuticles safe, and call in the help of SkinClinical Extreme Healing Double Concentrate to ensure they stay extra healthy.
Dry Neck & DécolletageYour neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging. That's why giving it a little extra TLC is essential to preventing environmental damage. By moisturizing neck and decolletage regularly with a lotion, like the Extreme Healing Daily Treatment, will not only keep your skin supple and healthy, but also protect your skin's barrier. One of the major benefits to using this product is that it improves natural cell regeneration and natural collagen production, which will keep you looking younger longer! Dr. Glassman also recommends using a gentle cleanser and moisturize regularly to protect yourself (and don't forget that scarf)! This post is brought to you by YouBeauty and SkinClinical.
9 High-Tech Gadgets That'll Transform Your Daily Routine
Oct 20, 2015
Skin: FOREO LUNAIf you're not cleansing with a device, it's time to get with the times. The FOREO LUNA uses T-Sonic™ pulsations to remove oil and makeup residue and unclog pores, yet it's gentle enough to use daily. When you're done cleansing, switch it into Anti-Aging Mode, which uses lower-frequency pulsations that reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as help firm the skin. All you have to do is press it onto wrinkle-prone spots for one minute. How's that for high-tech? Plus, it's made of silicone, so unlike many face cleansing devices on the market, bacteria isn't going to grow and linger—and you don't have to shell out a pretty penny on the reg to replace the parts. To make the most of your LUNA, pair it with the complementary Day & Night Cleansers from FOREO. This smart skincare with a transformative texture was designed to match the skin's different needs in daytime and night. The T-Sonic™ pulsations from the device help to stimulate the active ingredients so they penetrate deeper, maximizing absorption and results. // FOREO Enter now for your chance to win a FOREO LUNA!
Fitness: Skullcandy Women's XTFREEThere's nothing more distracting during a grueling workout than having to fidget with your earbuds that keep slipping out, or untangle the obnoxious cord. These in-ear wireless earbuds use Bluetooth to connect to your device, are sweat-resistant, and engineered to stay put. With 6 hours of battery life, they should last through any and all workouts. // Skullcandy
Oral Care: FOREO ISSAWarning: You may actually start to look forward to brushing your teeth before bed. This revolutionary toothbrush, the FOREO ISSA, is made of super-hygienic silicone and works using Sonic Pulse Technology to break up and remove plaque, prevent cavities, and whiten and brighten teeth. Each head lasts for a year—yes, you read that right—and one charge lasts for up to 365 uses. The design not only makes it look chic sitting on your bathroom counter, but it also is easy to hold and flexible to reach every last corner of your gums. The silicone construction wards off bacteria growth (up to 10,000 times cleaner than regular toothbrush bristles), and it's completely waterproof—in-shower brushers, rejoice! // FOREO Enter now for your chance to win a FOREO ISSA here!
Hair: Sarah Potempa Beachwaver S1Created by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, the Beachwaver curling iron makes getting supermodel hair a breeze. The barrel rotates in both directions, so all you have to do is place a section of hair in it, and press a button. This newer model allows you to create three types of curls—loose, beachy waves, and glam waves—making it a solid go-to for all your primping needs. // Sarah Potempa Beachwaver S1
Step Tracker: Fitbit Charge HRWith so many activity trackers out there, it's tough to know which is worth spending your cash on. The FitBit Charge HR does everything a good one should do: tracks steps, sleep, heart rate during workouts, and resting heart rate. By constantly tracking heart rate, it gives more accurate feedback on how your activities affect things such as calorie burn. The screen even has caller ID, so you can screen calls without missing a stride. // Fitbit
Mindfulness: SpireSpire is like having your therapist sitting on your shoulder, coaching you through the tough parts of the day. The little device can detect when you're stressed or feeling tense, and sends notifications to your phone to remind you to take a deep breath or perform other mindfulness exercises. It also tracks your stress levels so you can look back and see what places and situations to avoid next time. // Spire
Posture: Lumo LiftIf you sit at a desk all day, chances are you've got a serious hunching problem (if not, please share your secrets!). This little device holds attaches to the top of your shirt, inconspicuously. When you slouch, it vibrates until you sit up straight again. You can also set posture and activity goals for the day, get "posture coaching," and check how well you've done, all on the simple app. // Lumo
Social Management: RinglyThe first wearable tech jewelry, Ringly fuses fashion and connectivity into one glam accesory. Instead of keeping your phone out on the dinner table (a clear sign you're addicted to technology), wear this statement piece on your finger. You can set the ring to flash a certain color depending on whether you received a text, call, email, or other message, so you can decide if its urgent enough to pull out your cell. // Ringly
Makeup: Color Me Automatic Foundation ApplicatorIf you're still applying your foundation with a brush (or maybe just your fingers), you might want to make way for Color Me in your makeup bag. The makeup applicator mimics a finger tapping motion to apply foundation with an airbrushed look. You can use it with any liquid foundation, BB cream, or powder, and create as much or as little coverage as you want. // Ulta
Enter to Win a FOREO DeviceOne lucky winner will win a FOREO LUNA; another will win a FOREO ISSA. Head over to our Giveaway page to enter for your chance to win! READ MORE: How to Clean Your Beauty Tools
The Best Anti-Aging Products for Every Age
Oct 16, 2015
20sGood skincare habits are the key to great skin throughout your life. Before the visible signs of aging become a true concern, establish a prevention routine by cleansing twice a day with a non-drying cleanser like Elemis Soothing Chamomile Cleanser, followed by a light moisturizer like Elemis Hydra-Balance Day Cream. It's not too early to start thinking about preventing fine lines with a light eye serum that focuses on cell regeneration. Don't forget to use a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen every single day!
30sBecause of hormone changes, says Dr. Chiu, or external hormones like birth control pills, pregnancy, or genetics, our 30s bring pigment changes and general unevenness in the skin. We suggest combating that with a product like Elemis Cellular Recover Skin Bliss Capsules, which fights the effects of pollution and aging by promoting turnover of dead skin cells. It's also time to up your moisturizer game to a more hydrating version like Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.
40+Look for products that improve firming to combat the loss of volume that occurs by the time we reach 40. Become a label-hound for products like Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich, which contains Mediterranean Algae to improve skin elasticity. And since a lady never wants her neck to reveal her age, keep yourself firm all over with Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust. As we age, the skin loses oil glands, so look for a product like Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment that will hold moisture in the skin to reduce fine lines and get you looking like you did at 20… almost.
Any AgeWhat's the quickest way to look older before your time? Whether you're 25 or 45, we all have nights when we struggle to get a solid eight hours of shut-eye. Make up for it by brightening up those dark circles with a soothing cream like Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm. Then reset your skin by treating yourself to a luxurious mask designed for your skin type, whether it's the Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask or Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask. READ MORE: Genes vs. Routine: How Much of Your Skin Aging Can You Actually Control?
Want to Get Paid for Your Beauty Knowledge?
Oct 13, 2015


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About the Book
The Study of Law: A Critical Thinking Approach 4E
Fourth Edition
Katherine A. Currier
Elms College
Thomas E. Eimermann
Illinois State University
2016. 688 Pages. ISBN: 978-1-4548-5222-3. With Teacher's Manual.
About the Book
The latest edition of The Study of Law: A Critical Thinking Approach offers a comprehensive, intelligent overview of all the key concepts covered in a typical introduction to law course. A critical thinking approach is used to introduce students to the study of law, encouraging students to interact with the materials through hypotheticals, examples, and well-designed questions. The text is divided into two parts, reflecting the topics addressed in an introductory course. Part I, Introduction to the Legal System, introduces students to the sources and classification of law, the structure of the court system, and an overview of litigation. Part II: Basic Legal Concepts, covers the basics of analysis and interpretation of the law, followed by chapters on substantive law.
Key Features of the New Edition:
Teaches students the basic skills necessary to understand statutes and court cases
Strong pedagogy reinforces well-written text presented in an accessible and well-organized format
Edited cases are included in every chapter to teach students how to read and analyze the law
New coverage includes: the Boston Marathon bombing case, the Affordable Care Act, and trademark issues involving the Washington Redskins , e-filing and e-discovery, discussion of same-sex marriage and custody disputes over pre-embryos, and crimes of unauthorized access of computer data and warrantless searches of cell phones


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We have heard and read a truck load of ads admonishing, pleading for and commanding that everyone get out there and vote. Not a good idea. A survey as described in the link below reaffirms the notion that most Americans are just too dumb an/or lazy to be allowed to vote. They don't know the issues, the candidates or the problems being faced by America. They only want their party to win.
Shame on us for our failure to be educated on the issues facing our future and allowing self-serving, politcal whores run the show.


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Scooby Doo Porn Story: Zombies In My Sisters Backyard – Chapter 35
Disclaimer: i do not own Scooby-Doo or other related characters
Send me reviews and tell me how i did!
The police helped get the Mystery Machine out of the lake. It took Fred a long time to calm down. The veterinarians cleaned and cared for Miracle and Maddies wounds. The Mystery gang agreed to stay in a hotel until Maddie and Miracle were released from the hospital.
Miracle sat in the kennel that the veterinarian put her in. She had bandages all over her. In the kennel beside her was Maddie. She was sound asleep, and was also all bandaged up. Miracle was exhausted from controlling herself. So that she didn't hurt any doctors. It took all her concentration and strength just to not attack.
Miracle stared out the window, out there was her freedom and her life. Miracle stood up and picked the lock like how Scooby showed her. The kennel door slowly opened. Miracle weakly went up onto the counter that was right next to the window, opened it and jumped out. She escaped!
Later that day a veterinarian discovered the open kennel and window. He reported that Miracle had escaped. In the evening the Mystery gang came by to pick up the dogs. They told them that Miracle had escaped and that there was a young woman who wanted to adopt Maddie. The Mystery gang let the young woman adopt Maddie. It was hard for Scooby and Maddie to say good-bye.
On the drive home Scooby wished he could of said good-bye to Miracle. The whole drive he stared out the window. Scooby soon felt tired and fell asleep. Shaggy was starting to worry about him. What if Scooby would soon like Miracle more than him? What if they werent as close together like the good old times?


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Artist's Statement:
"I am a very grateful, award-winning photographer who strives to bring a heightened awareness to the plight of our shrinking wilderness through imagery. I am passionately dedicated to my work and have donated several images to various non-profit organizations in an attempt to help preserve what is left of our natural world. With an avid love of horses since childhood, I feel a deep connection to this enchanting subject. Through my photography, I am able to capture the soul of the equine spirit as well as the innocence of children, the beauty of nature, and the magic of our quirky and interesting world."


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Avrupa Minerals Files US SEC Registration Form 20F
November 5, 2012
Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (AVU: TSXV, 8AM: FWB) announces that it has completed the preparation and filing of a Form 20F with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing of the Form 20F will make Avrupa a fully reporting issuer in the United States.
Paul Kuhn, CEO of Avrupa, noted, "In the past year, we have seen that more and more of Avrupa's shareholders are residents of the United States and of European countries, as well. Becoming a fully reporting issuer in the United States will ensure that the Company continues to follow the highest level of corporate disclosure for its shareholders outside of Canada and will allow us greater access to investments from the United States."
Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on aggressive exploration, using a prospect generator model, for valuable mineral deposits in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany.
The Company currently holds 16 exploration licenses in three European countries, including nine in Portugal covering 2,608 km2, six in Kosovo covering 198 km2, and one in Germany covering 307 km2. Avrupa operates two joint ventures in Portugal, covering four of the licenses, including:
- The Alvalade JV, with Antofagasta Minerals SA, covering three licenses in the Iberian Pyrite Belt of southern Portugal, for Cu-rich massive sulfide deposits; and
- The Covas JV, with Blackheath Resources, covering one license in northern Portugal, for intrusion-related Au-W deposits
Avrupa is currently upgrading precious and base metal targets to JV-ready status in a variety of districts on their other licenses, with the idea of attracting potential partners to project-specific and/or regional exploration programs. These projects include:
- Porphyry Cu-Au potential in southern Portugal in the Alvito license area;
- Four licenses covering targets in the Pyrite Belt, the north Portugal Au-W belt, and the Monchique alkali complex of southern Portugal;
- Five licenses spread throughout Kosovo in the Trepça Mineral Belt of the Vardar Zone, historically a long-term producing district of silver and base metals;
- One additional license for gold and copper in southern Kosovo;
- One license for intrusion-related Au-Sn-W deposits in the historic Erzgebirge Mining District of eastern Germany, a 900-year producer of tin, tungsten, silver, base metals, and uranium.
For additional information, contact Avrupa Minerals Ltd. at 1-604-687-3520 or visit our website at www.avrupaminerals.com.
On behalf of the Board,
"Paul W. Kuhn"
Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director
This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


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If you plan your startup's growth appropriately, you can use the identical process to keep your startup on track after you launch.
The 'Get on Track' Process:
1. During planning, select values for 7 key drivers of your company's growth.
a. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): For those new customers that you attract as the result of your marketing activities, how much does it cost you per customer?
b. Sales Cycle (SC): How many months transpire between your expenditure of marketing dollars and the acquisition of new customers?
c. Average Order Size (AOS): How much revenue do you expect to generate each time a customer makes a purchase?
d. Periodicity (P): How often will each customer make a purchase?
e. Retention Rate (RR): What percent of existing customers will remain customers at the end of each year?
f. Viral Coefficient (VC): How many people will each existing customer attract and successfully convert into new customers? This is a one-time conversion; once a customer refers this many new customers, we assume they no longer refer more new customers.
g. Viral Cycle Length (VCL): How many days will transpire between customers becoming new customers and their referrals becoming new customers?
Note that when planning your company, some of the above (e.g. VC and VCL) will have to be just guesstimates . . . and that's okay.
However, you should be able to make somewhat more intelligent guesses on CAC and SC based on the type of business and the kind of marketing and sales you expect to conduct. And P and RR values should be much easier to estimate from the beginning based on your business.
2. Before you launch your company, verify that the estimates you've selected for the 7 key growth drivers will result in a successful company. That is, there must be significant revenues and profit, and solid returns for all shareholders to be considered successful. If not, adjust the values until the company becomes successful.
3. Launch your company.
The 'Stay on Track' Process:
- Every month, compare your actuals to your planned values for the 7 key growth drivers. Enter actual values for CAC, SC, AOS, P, RR, VC, and VCL into your plan.
- Verify that the actual values for these 7 key growth drivers still result in a successful company – i.e., significant revenues and profits, and solid returns for all shareholders. If so, you are on track! If not, you must change your strategy.
Change Your Strategy
Based on which key growth driver you want to affect, different strategic changes are in order. Many options exist in every case, but here are just a few ideas:
- To decrease CAC and SC: Improve your understanding of the target market. Hone your advertisements to the specific pains of your target markets. Focus on the benefits rather than features of your products. Offer better pricing or better promotions to increase close rates.
- To increase AOS: Offer quantity discounts. Improve your product.
- To increase P: Offer frequent buyer programs. Improve your product.
- To increase RR: Improve your product's stickiness.
- To increase VC and decrease VCL: Offer referral programs, especially ones that incent both the referrer and the new customer. Make products so exciting that they create a buzz. Add features that increase your product's value to customers.
As you can see, these seven key growth drivers are not only fundamental to planning your startup, they are also fundamental to keeping your startup on track. Not all are easy to estimate, but you can at least determine in the planning stage what values you must achieve to be a viable company.
Once you launch your company, not all seven are easy to measure, but as you progress, they will become easier. Drive your engine towards success!
Davis is a serial entrepreneur currently in his fifth startup. He is also an angel investor and the author of six books.
"On Track" Photo courtesy of Clare Wilkinson (Creative Commons)


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There were so many different grains of sand that fell this year. Each one very precious. Each one with significant purpose and meaning. I learned so much, this year, more than I have in a very long time. Listening affords one the opportunity to hear and then change, if one is open to that.
This was the year that seemed to ride on shifting sands all the way through... everything I thought would go one way, went another, so many plans were changed or let go of, and things I didn't expect presented themselves from seemingly nowhere.
Fine grains~
There was forgiveness between people I love, and I forgave, and I was graciously forgiven. It emphasized compassion, understanding, patience, devotion and love, and it strengthened bonds.
There was discovery and adventure in small and huge ways, in new places and in old, hand in hand with friends, which only serves to enrich those kind of experiences even more. These excursions included the procurement of a red satin fringed flapper dress, Tony Bennett, King Tut, incredible moments in Muir Woods, tigers & leopards, ocean waves, orca whales, beautiful cities, a champagne birthday on a beach before an ocean sunset, a random cow, tangible history in Westminster Abbey, new friends in London, old and new hidden treasured places along the Thames, midnight under Big Ben, a movie set & some incredible actors, dolphins in SF Bay (?!), the best breakfast cafe in SF, the best sushi in the world in V.BC, a girl and her horse make beautiful subjects before a lens, mountain lakes don't last for eternity, there are faerie glens in woods & secret mountain places, I went halfway up the Eiffel Tower... again, the umbrella salesman has a stand at the end of the rainy road, I already met the only accordion player who knows La Vie En Rose and he's not in Vegas, art comes in every form and when it's water, it's beautiful, there's no rush or thrill like standing on a stage in a theatre singing your heart out to strangers, and it is equally thrilling to see dear friends do the same.
Medium grains-
Friendships mean different things to different people and when they are lost, it isn't always a bad thing. In the face of lost friendships, the loyalty and devotion of good friends is truly shown for its priceless worth.
When times are very difficult, in loss, in fright, in pain, in anger, in confusion, there isn't anything so good or precious as the warm steady strength of a friends hand or loving arms to make it through the darkness.
We have control over our environments, most of the time, and we have absolute control over how we choose to react to our environments and our experiences. I quote Viktor Frankl, a holocaust survivor, "...The last of human freedoms – the ability to choose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances." as he explains how he made it through his unthinkable ordeal. I repeated lessons in learning to adapt and grow in different environments... learning to make choices that would benefit others as well as myself.
Humbleness is found in honesty with self and when spoken with love by others, and it is the essential nutrient a soul needs to grow strong and upright.
Allowing shame and guilt to dictate behavior and thought is an unnecessary self-inflicted binding that hinders recovery and growth and should be left alone entirely.
Coarse grains-
One of the biggest lessons of the year, and one I am still working through, is that love is all encompassing... real love knows no bounds, it is not ruled by organization... by trying to force it into categories and definitive segments... compartmentalized until it is nicely and neatly controlled. It is fluid, powerful, endless, as the oceans I love so much. Learning how to love like that is a work in progress for me. It is astounding what I've held back from others because I did not understand the way that love is. I raged against the wall only to discover that I'd built the dam with my own two hands, all by myself. There's a confounding revelation.
Another lesson is learning to deal with everything as it comes, instead of pretending it does not exist, as has been my modus operandi for a long while. This behavior has excluded me from the very world at large... known, unknown, wanted, unwanted, and I've missed more than I could ever express. I have a passion for life that is boundless within certain bounds. That paradox cuts off so much possibility. I want boundless passion for life... period. I don't want to miss anything. Ever.
I hope that this year has found you well and successful in every way. Healthy, strong, and happy. I hope you've realized dreams and goals, and I hope you have new ones shining in the distance of days to come.
Happy New Year