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Objective(s). The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of electrocardiography (ECG) training in emergency medicine residency programs in Turkey, and the attitude of the program representatives towards standardization of such training.
Methods. This investigation was planned as a cross-sectional study. An 18-item questionnaire was distributed to directors of residency programs. Responses were evaluated using SPSS (v.16.0), and analyzed using the chi-square test.
Results. Thirty-nine program directors (out of 42) responded to the questionnaire. Twenty-eight of them stated they did not have a formal ECG training curriculum. The most preferred ECG education method was clinical education in the Emergency Department; the most common education resource was ECG textbooks; and the most common evaluation method was case scenarios. Only thirteen of the programs had an obligation to prove competency. The most common competency-assessment method was obtaining a passing grade based on an instructor's observation. The majority of program directors are of the opinion that there should be a formal ECG teaching curriculum, and that a national ECG training program and national ECG database should be formed.
Conclusions. The majority of programs do not have a formal ECG interpretation curriculum, which is an obligation to prove competency. As a result, their training methods, resources, and assessment tools were determined to be subjective.
Key words: emergency medicine, electrocardiography, education
Electrocardiography (ECG) is a commonly used diagnostic test in Emergency Departments (EDs), and has proven to be an important adjunct for emergency physicians (EPs) and emergency medicine residents (EMRs) who need to diagnose a condition and provide rapid treatment.
Despite its importance in diagnosis, directing treatment, and follow-up procedures, interpreting ECGs has limitations. Diagnoses based on structural and pathophysiological changes are made through inferences, and therefore there is potential for error. (1-6) Since ECGs provide snapshots of cardiac rhythms, intermittent rhythm anomalies can be missed.
The rates of error in ECG interpretation made by EMRs and EPs that are clinically important or life-threatening appear to be lower than those of overall ECG incompatibility rates. (7-9) Although cardiac markers with high sensitivity and specificity are now used in combination with ECGs for ED evaluation of chest-pain patients, 2% to 8% of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are still discharged inappropriately from EDs. (10-12) A proportional relationship has been found between ECG interpretation errors and mortality rates among patients with AMI. (13) AMI cases missed as a result of ECG misinterpretation constitute 10% of all judicial cases with ED origin, and 20%-45% of the value of all monetary compensation awards. (14,15) Current guidelines focus specifically on obtaining and interpreting ECGs in all algorithms. (16,17)
There are no agreed scales for learning, evaluation, and retention of ECG interpretation skills, and none of the existing scales are evidence-based. (3,18)
In this study, we aimed to:
a) Determine teaching methods, training resources and the perceived value of these methods among EMRs;
b) Determine the methods used to assess the competency of EMRs, and the perceived value of these methods among EMRs;
c) Determine the methods used for mandatory competency assessment of ECG interpretation, if any, and the sufficiency of such assessment methods;
d) Determine current attitudes of department chairs/chiefs on improving and standardizing ECG interpretation training across all active, emergency medicine residency programs.
Participants and Methods
Design and Population
This investigation was planned as a cross-sectional study consisting of an 18-question survey. Forty-two emergency medicine residency programs were included in the study; eligible programs were those determined to be actively training residents, based on data obtained from the Ministry of Health and professional organizations involved in emergency medicine. A questionnaire was developed using a commercial web-based provider ( www.surveymonkey.com ). This web-based tool was used both to send out questionnaires, and to collect responses using participants' personal email addresses. Participants comprised department chairs (in university-based residency programs), program chiefs (in residency programs delivered at training and research hospitals operating under the Ministry of Health), or the supervisors of residency-training programs.
Approval from the Gazi University Ethics Committee was obtained prior to the study. Participants also signed informed consent forms.
Survey Content
The survey consisted of 18 questions addressing the following themes: emergency medicine training program (3); ECG interpretation training (3); ECG teaching methods and sources (4); evaluation of ECG interpretation competency methods (2); competency assessment requirements and methods (3); EMRs' interpretation skills and length of ECG training (2); and one question about participants' attitudes towards the standardization of ECG training.
Both open-ended and closed-ended questions were used in the survey. Two-choice answers, scaled answers, sorted answers, group answers, and answers with more than one selection were used in the closed-ended questions. A box titled "other" was included at the end of each question for comments, suggestions, and additional input related to the methods and sources. Questions that involved a subjective response were presented using a 5-point Likert scale.
Data Collection
A total of four initial and reminder messages were sent to the participants via email, and participants were also contacted via telephone between 1 June 2008 and 31 July 2008. The required institutional, ethical approval forms were collected from the participating sites using dedicated sections of the web-based survey form. All data collected through the "Survey Monkey" website by the submission deadline were analyzed using commercial software.
Data Analysis
All data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0 for Windows). Descriptive statistical values are presented by frequencies and percentages. Fisher's exact test is used to perform a 2 by 2 chi-square analysis when at least one expected cell count is less than 5. Yates' corrected chi-square test was applied for all other 2 by 2 tables because of the small sample size (N<40). A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant throughout the study.
Descriptive Statistical Findings
This research achieved 92.9% (39/42) participation among the eligible EDs in Turkey. The majority of participating EDs (69.2%; 27/39) were in state university hospitals, 25.7% (10/39) were in state teaching and research hospitals, while 5.1% (2/39) were in private university hospitals.
It was found that the majority of emergency medicine programs (71.8%; 28/39) did not have formal training in ECG interpretation which was curriculum planned and phased according to the study years and subjects. The remaining 11 programs (28.2%) had a formal ECG interpretation curriculum in place.
In departments that provided training (formal and spontaneous) in theoretical and/or practical ECG interpretation, the most common amount of training was a maximum of 7-12 hours during the first year (33.3%; 13/39) and second year (34.2%; 13/38). The number of hours devoted to ECG training per year was reduced to 1-6 hours during the third (40.8%; 11/27), fourth (48.0%; 11/23), and fifth years (48.0%; 11/23) of residency training.
We found that ECG interpretation training was offered only by EPs in 61.6% (24/39) of programs, only by cardiologists in 5.1% (2/39), and in a multidisciplinary manner by EPs and cardiologists and/or internal medicine specialists in 33.3% (13/39) of programs
(tables 1, 2, 3).
Two-thirds of programs (66.7%; 26/39) required no proof of capability in ECG interpretation, and one-third of programs (33.3%; 13/39) had an obligation to prove capability (table 4). The majority of programs (69.2%; 27/39) represented the opinion that the residency training offered was adequate to achieve the required competency in ECG interpretation capabilities. Nevertheless, 89.7% (35/39) stated that every emergency medicine program should have a formal ECG training curriculum, 71.8% (28/39) believed that a national ECG training program should be established, and 79.5% (31/39) thought that a national ECG database should be developed. It was observed that the idea of a national ECG competency examination with national ECG competency stipulation was accepted by 38.4% (15/39) and by 41.0% (16/39) of participants, respectively. Those opposed represented 28.2% (11/39) and 25.6% (10/39) of participants, respectively, and 33% (13/39) were undecided..
Statistical Findings
No statistically significant relationship was found between the presence or absence of a curriculum and the variables of hospital type, variety of specialists offering training, and program age (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05).
A significant relationship was found between hospital type and the variety of specialists offering training (Fisher's exact test, p=0.023). According to this, ECG training was mostly offered in university hospitals and offered in a multidisciplinary environment in training and research hospitals.
Separate analysis of variables showed no statistically significant relationship between the preferences of ECG training methods and the variables of hospital type, variety of specialists offering training, program age, and the presence or absence of a curriculum (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05).
No statistically significant relationship was found between the preferences of ECG training resources and the variables of hospital type, the variety of specialists offering training, program age, and the presence or absence of a curriculum (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05).
With the exception of two findings, separate analysis of variables showed no statistically significant relationship between the preferences of ECG interpretation skills, evaluation methods, the variables of hospital type, the variety of specialists offering training, program age, and the presence or absence of a curriculum (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05). Firstly, a significant difference was found between the presence or absence of a curriculum, and the use of the formal examination method as one of the ECG interpretation skills evaluation methods (Yates' continuity correction test, p=0.011) (table 5).
Secondly, a significant relationship was found between the presence or absence of a curriculum and preference for the peer evaluation method (Fisher's exact test, p=0.033). Those departments with a curriculum, accepted formal examination and peer evaluation as the preferred evaluation methods.
No significant relationship was found between hospital type, variety of specialists offering training, program age variables, and the presence or absence of a requirement to demonstrate capability in interpreting ECGs (Fisher's exact test, p>0.05).
A significant relationship was observed between the presence or absence of a curriculum, and the presence or absence of a stipulation to demonstrate the ability to interpret ECGs (Fisher's exact test, p=0.00). Those departments without curricula also did not have a stipulation to demonstrate capability in ECG interpretation (table 6).
Similarly, a statistically meaningful relationship was identified between the presence or absence of a curriculum, and the departments' self-opinion on whether their own ECG training processes were sufficient (Fisher's exact test, p=0.009). According to this finding, all of the departments which had a curriculum regarded their own ECG interpretation training as adequate.
We found discrepancies in ECG interpretation training among the residency programs. In a similar study, (19) the majority of the programs (64.4%; 56/87) had an ECG training curriculum that was formally planned and phased according to years and subjects. This contrasts with our study, which established that 71.8% of programs did not provide a planned curriculum for ECG interpretation training. In our study, 72.4% of university hospitals and 66.7% of departments with a program age of 10-14 years lacked a curriculum. This finding indicates a conclusion opposing the general assumption that university-based and experienced departments have planned ECG training curriculums. However, it was noted during our study that a spontaneous ECG interpretation training process is also operational in programs that did not have a formal curriculum.
A previous study (19) reported similar conclusions, that the three most widely used ECG training methods in emergency services were bedside training, didactic lessons, and case-based lessons. In another study, (20) the two most widely used methods were lessons and small group discussions. In that study, 95% of participants evaluated didactic lessons as being "valuable" or "very valuable", and these were ranked among the three most widely used methods. In contrast, in the present study, only 56.4% of programs considered didactic lessons as "valuable" or "very valuable" in terms of their contribution to resident training. This contradiction, which indicates the existence of a visible opposition against the most important classic training method, is suggestive of an insistence to use the same method despite opposition, lack of recognition of alternative methods, or an inability to apply them.
According to our study, the most widely used ECG training materials were leading text books on ECGs, academic members' personal training dossiers, and internet documents. A similar study, (20) reported differing results, in that ECG training dossiers of academic members and emergency services were the most commonly used resources (91%) and regarded as a "very valuable" resource in terms of their contribution to resident training. Another study (19) indicated that the national ECG database was the most often-used resource.
According to our study, the most widely used and valuable method of evaluation for ECG interpretation competency in terms of resident training is case scenarios. While a similar study (19) reported case scenarios to be the most commonly used method for evaluating ECG interpretation competency, another study (20) indicated that performance observation in the emergency service setting was the most commonly used and valued method.
Those departments with an established curriculum mostly prefer formal examinations for evaluating the ECG interpretation competency of residents. This frequent preference may be due to the objectivity of the formal examination method systematically questioning ECG knowledge and interpretation skills, and also due to its ability to convert capability evaluation to objective data.
Our study has identified that the majority of departments (66.7%) had no stipulation for EMRs to demonstrate adequate ECG interpretation skills. In a similar study, (19) only 11.5% of programs had a stipulation to prove competency. Those departments which require proof of competency widely consider a passing grade based on the observation of the instructor method as proof of competency. The method of obtaining a passing grade based on an instructor's observation is a subjective and passive method compared to other methods. Even so, it was found to be the most preferred method in terms of the perception of a high-adequacy level of resident training, and is ranked first on the preference list. From the point of view of EPs, this method may be seen as the 'fastest' and the 'least troublesome'. However, it appears to be meaningful to combine this method with others to render the stipulation of proof of adequacy convertible to scientific, concrete data understandable by everyone. Although more concrete and objective, the method of obtaining a passing grade from formal examinations is the least preferred, ranked last in the preferences list, and the perception of its adequacy in terms of resident training method is also ranked the lowest.
The majority of program directors were of the opinion that each emergency medicine program should have a formal ECG teaching curriculum, and that a national ECG training program and national ECG database should be formed. It was observed that the idea of a national ECG competency examination with national ECG competency stipulation is opposed by the minority of programs. In a similar study, (19) it was found that the majority of emergency medicine programs opposed a national ECG competency examination and national ECG competency stipulation.
There are several reasons for the difficulties encountered in the planning of ECG interpretation training and application phases. Firstly, the nonexistence of an ECG training curriculum in a majority of programs, the variable structure of informal ECG training processes, and the wide variations in methods and resources leads to complications in determining how and by which curriculum ECG training should be done. The same factors make it harder to decide which measurements should be used for ECG interpretation competency testing.
Secondly, for interventionist medical skills, it is easier to demonstrate the existence of a relationship between the increasing number of procedures and favorable patient outcomes, but it appears to be more difficult to determine a potential cause and effect relationship for knowledge-based medical skills, such as ECG interpretation.
Thirdly, while a large number of national or foreign manuals exist for interventionist medical skills, there are no clear, nationally or internationally agreed manuals for knowledge-based skills such as ECG training. These difficulties impede the standardization of ECG interpretation training within emergency medicine programs.
The reasonable expectation for ECG interpretation skills, in resident training for Emergency Medicine, is adequacy in bedside ECG interpretation. It is possible to define the specialty of emergency medicine as the ability to demonstrate all required knowledge and skills at a level sufficient to provide all aspects of acute care without needing consultation. EMRs should be trained in such a way that they are able to accurately and rapidly interpret an ECG without need for consultation. ECG interpretation skills which are independent of the subjective characteristics of physical conditions such as crowding, time windows, and urgent settings are ineffective. Therefore, ECG interpretation training should provide, evaluate, and sustain the ability to interpret and manage ECGs in a real, emergency-service setting accordingly.
The following are viewed by us as being meaningful for emergency medicine science: the definition of subjective and objective impediments obstructing the planning of ideal ECG interpretation training; identification of the most effective training models; appropriate and sufficient curriculum formation; determination of adequacy measurements; acceleration of standardization efforts; and, if considered necessary, contributions to the realization of national and international manuals.
In survey-type studies, difficulties such as failing to understand the questions, biased answers to questions, the potential inclination created by unintentionally directing questions, low response rate, and a weak sampling quality (representative of space problems), could be encountered. This study may also include probable risks unique to survey-type research.
This survey was sent to emergency medicine program authorities primarily responsible for resident training. For this reason, it may not reflect potentially differing opinions of other EPs working in Emergency Departments.
We determined there was only a limited number of studies evaluating ECG interpretation training within emergency medicine residency programs both nationally and internationally. Our study evaluated the status of ECG interpretation training, including the delivery methods used, resources utilized, and assessment and evaluation instruments used by the emergency medicine residency programs. This included their attitudes towards standardization of ECG interpretation training. We found that the presence of a formal training curriculum and competency criteria were rare events for emergency medicine residency programs and that, based on these findings, their training methods, resources, and assessment tools were determined rather subjectively. This study showed that a spontaneous ECG interpretation training process is also operational in programs that do not have a formal curriculum and competency criteria. We believe that future studies should focus on objective and measurable indicators of competency in ECG interpretation skills that are vital for emergency practitioners.
Table 1. Preferred electrocardiogram (ECG) training methods.
|ECG Training Methods
|The percentage of preferred% (n/T)
|Percentage of "valuable" or "very valuable" (%)
|Clinical training at the ED
|100 (39/39)
|Case-based lessons
|97.4 (38/39)
|Didactic lessons
|97.4 (38/39)
|Personnel study
|97.4 (38/39)
|Cardiology rotation
|92.3 (36/39)
|Computer-based training
|69.2 (27/39)
|10.3 (4/39)
ED, emergency department.
*Other methods: ECG handouts prepared for residency training, attending intern classes, attending courses by professional organizations, attending symposia.
Table 2. Preferred electrocardiogram (ECG) training resources.
|ECG Training Resources
|Percentage preferred% (n/T)
|Percentage of "valuable" or "very valuable" (%)
|Leading ECG text books
|97.4 (38/39)
|Training documents from faculty members
|92.3 (36/39)
|Internet resources
|92.3 (36/39)
|Training documents of the emergency medicine programs
|66.7 (26/39)
|Training programs offered by professional organizations
|66.7 (26/39)
Table 3. Preferred methods for evaluating electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation competency.
|Preferred Evaluation Methods
|Percentage preferred% (n/T)
|Percentage perceived as "valuable" or "very valuable (%)
|Performance observation in clinical environment
|94.9 (37/39)
|Case scenarios
|97.4 (38/39)
|Observation during lectures
|94.9 (37/39)
|Informal tests*
|74.4 (29/39)
|Formal tests†
|53.8 (21/39)
|Residents' self evaluation
|53.8 (21/39)
|Interpretation of ECG with an instructor‡
|35.9 (14/39)
|Residents' evaluation of each other
|35.9 (14/39)
*Informal tests: Informal bedside ECG interpretation tests
†Formal tests: Formal, planned, classical or multiple choice tests
‡Interpretation of a sufficient number of ECGs in the presence of an instructor
Table 4. Preferred methods for proving electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation competency.
|Preferred Proving Methods
|Percentage preferred% (n/T)
|Percentage percieved as "valuable" or "very valuable" (%)
|Obtaining a passing grade based on an instructor's observation
|92.3 (12/13)
|Passing grade based on informal tests
|84.6 (11/13)
|Interpretation of a sufficient number of ECGs in the presence of an instructor
|76.9 (10/13)
|Passing grade based on formal tests
|61.5 (8/13)
|Other: Follow-up on residents'report cards
|7.7 (1/13)
Table 5. Relationship between preference for formal examination method and the presence or absence of a curriculum [% (n)].
|Formal Examination Method
|Not Used
|p value*
|Curriculum Exists
|90.9 (10)
|9.1 (1)
|100.0 (11)
|Curriculum Does Not Exist
|39.3 (11)
|60.7 (17)
|100.0 (28)
*Yates' continuity correction test, p=0.011
Table 6. Relationship between presence or absence of curriculum and stipulation to demonstrate competency in electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation skills [% (n)].
|Competency Stipulation
|p value*
|Curriculum Exists
|81.8 (9)
|18.2 (2)
|100.0 (11)
|Curriculum DoesNot Exist
|14.3 (4)
|85.7 (24)
|100.0 (28)
*Fisher's exact test, p=0.00
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Available at: http://www.bestbets.org/bets/bet.php?id=75 .
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License


text:
Clemastine fumarate, a common antihistamine used to treat symptoms of allergies and the common cold, partially reversed damage to the visual system in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a preliminary study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 68th annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada.
The study involved patients with MS and optic neuropathy. In MS, the immune system destroys myelin, the protective coating around the nerves, which leads to damage along the nerves, slowing signals to and from the brain. Optic nerve damage is a common consequence of the disease.
"This study is exciting because it is the first to demonstrate possible repair of that protective coating in people with chronic demyelination from MS," said investigator Ari Green, MD, of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of California, San Francisco. "This was done using a drug that was identified at UCSF only two-and-a-half years ago as an agent with the potential to help with brain repair."
The five-month study involved 50 subjects with an average age of 40 years who had MS for an average of five years and had mild disability. They all had evidence of stable chronic optic neuropathy, meaning that they were not recovering from recent optic neuritis.
The subjects performed vision tests at the start and end of the study. For one test, called a visual-evoked potential, the time for the transmission of a signal from the retina to the visual cortex was recorded. To be included in the study, the subjects had to have a delay in transmission time beyond 118 milliseconds in at least one eye and had to have evidence that they had an adequate number of nerve fibers to reinsulate. An improvement in the delay in transmission was considered a biomarker of myelin repair.
During the first three months of the study, the subjects were given either the antihistamine clemastine fumarate or placebo. For the second two months, those initially given the drug received the placebo and vice versa.
During the study, delays were reduced by an average of slightly less than 2 milliseconds in each eye per patient among those who received the antihistamine.
"While the improvement in vision appears modest, this study is promising because it is the first time a drug has been shown to possibly reverse the damage done by MS," Green said. "The findings are preliminary, but this study provides a framework for future MS repair studies and will hopefully herald discoveries that will enhance the brain's innate capacity for repair."
The study subjects reported a modest increase in fatigue while taking the drug.
Green cautioned that more research with larger numbers of people is needed before doctors can recommend clemastine fumarate for people with MS.
Source: American Academy of Neurology; April 12, 2016.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This article first appeared in Lowy Interpreter on 3 December, 2015.
Erwin Jackson
Deputy CEO, The Climate Institute
The pace in Paris is picking up. Delegates are moving from meeting to meeting, negotiating on the elements of the agreement. Even big delegations are struggling to keep up.
We will not get a good sense of what will have been accomplished this week for a day or so but it is fair to say that progress is uneven. This is being driven by certain regressive countries in the Like Minded Developing Country group attempting to suck energy out of the process and weaken the effectiveness of a possible agreement. Saudi Arabia, a wealthy and diplomatically effective oil state, is the focus of much frustration.
Some areas outside the formal negotiations are moving forward, however.
The US has been proactively engaging with small island states on the issue of how to rebuild after severe and unavoidable loss and damage caused by climate change. Finding common ground on this issue would build trust between developed nations and the world's most vulnerable countries.
Reaching agreement on how to provide financial support for the world's poorest countries will be crucial to achieving more substantial progress in the coming week. To that end, developed country flexibility would be constructive on these issues:
Flexibility in these areas could help unlock more constructive engagement from developing countries on regular updates of national emissions targets, greater transparency of the actions countries are taking through measuring, reporting and verification (MRV), and greater finance contributions from emerging economies in the future.
Finally, The Climate Institute has looked at Australia's 2030 per capita emissions compared to other developed and G20 countries. Meeting the government's 2030 target could see our per capita emissions fall to 16 tonnes - still much higher than other developed countries, and the highest of any G20 country, aside from Saudi Arabia.
*The LMDC negotiating consists of developing nations that represent nearly half of the world's poor. It includes Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka and Venezuala.


text:
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text:
Late touchdown pass lifts Oakland Raiders past Detroit Lions, 31-24
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Pro Football Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. — Derek Carr and the Raiders gave their football-starved fans quite a show in their first game back in Oakland in seven weeks.
Carr threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to rookie Hunter Renfrow with 2:04 remaining and Karl Joseph broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone with 3 seconds left to give the Raiders a 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday in their first game in Oakland since Week 2.
After surviving an odyssey that forced them to travel about 20,000 miles for four road games and a neutral site game in London, the Raiders (4-4) came back home for the first time since losing to Kansas City on Sept. 15.
Carr's clutch pass to Renfrow gave Oakland the win to start a crucial three-game homestand. Carr also connected with rookie Foster Moreau on a 3-yard score opening seconds of the fourth quarter and another rookie, Josh Jacobs, ran for 120 yards and two scores.
Matthew Stafford threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns but came up short at the end as the Lions (3-4-1) lost for the fourth time in five games.
"It's a tough pill to swallow," Lions linebacker Devon Kennard said. "The last few weeks have been on us defensively. I feel like if we'd play better defensively we'd be in a much better position right now. But you can't panic. It's halfway through the season."


text:
Another fantastic puzzle!
Having been the person who set the puzzle for this month's "Wrong, but useful", I had been missing a puzzle this month. Then yesterday I had a great one to solve courtesy of Colin Beveridge (@icecolbeveridge)! See my post here.
Well it turns out that great puzzles can be a bit like busses, as today after reading my post on that puzzle Stuart Price (@sxpmaths) tweeted this little beaut:
Before you read on, have a go. Gonna on, you know you want to!
Check your working!
Ok, well this is what I did:
I had a look, thought about it a little, ran -1, 1, 0 2 and -2 as x to check for an obvious factor and then thought I'd factorise by equating coefficients. I started to expand (ax – b)(cx-d)(ex-f), but then decided to use plusses and have -b/a etc as roots. As I was doing the coefficient of x in my expansion I realised that I could've assumed a=b=c=1 as the coefficient of x^3 is 1, but by then I was fairly sure where it was going so followed it through as was to check my feeling was right.
Here is a photo of my working:
I tweeted the pic and Stuart confirmed the solution was correct, and said he'd forgotten to asked for the sum of the sides. In many ways this makes it even nicer, using all the coefficients, however it would probably have also made it easier to spot!
If you have anymore fantastic puzzles, do let me know!
April 7, 2014 at 7:28 pm
I found it by expanding (x-a)(x-b)(x-c) into x^3 – (a+b+c) x^2 + (ab+ac+bc)x-abc, which in turn sugests that abc=1 and ab+ac+bc=6. Great puzzle!
April 5, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Product of roots = -d/a = 1 which is the volume of cuboid
Sum of pairs of roots = c/a = 6 which is half of surface area – so surface area = 12
Nice problem


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The book has become the definitive guide to small-scale artisanal winemaking in Italy today.
Slow Food was created in the late 1980s by its visionary, Carlo Petrini. The movement and its manifesto were founded to counter what he saw as a growing threat to the authentic and traditional foods and foodways of Italy: The advent of fast food there.
Back then there wasn't a lot of fast food in Italy. And McDonald's was just beginning to expand its presence. The opening of its huge restaurant at the foot of the Spanish Steps (Trinità dei Monti) became a sort of battle cry for lovers and defenders of Italian foodways.
The movement ultimately became a publisher of guides, books, and magazine, all intended to document and promote awareness of traditional Italian gastronomy and food products. It also championed the food producers themselves.
In 2009, Slow Food Editore (the publishing arm of the movement) launched its first wine guide.
It highlights small-scale wine production by people who have a connection to the land they farm. It doesn't exclude conventional growers but the overwhelming majority of wineries profiled in the guide are organic and many of them are biodynamic.
Perhaps the most important thing about the guide, the editors have told us, is that they don't just provide tasting notes for the wines the editors selection. But they also tell the stories of the wines, the wineries, and the winemakers themselves. In fact, before the first year the guide was published, the other popular wine guides only offered their readers scores and tasting notes, without any mention of the winemakers and grape growers themselves.
We have been included in the guide for many years and have even won some of the editors' prizes. We have also participated in their grand tasting/preview of the guide. This year, that event will take place on October 13 in Montecatini in Tuscany.
We support the guide and its editors in their mission! And we hope to see you there!


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Luke Blair, director at London Communications Agency, has written this week's public sector column on how to use insight to build leadership in the public sector. To read it, go to prweek.com/uk and click on public sector.
Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, has unveiled the pilot of the Government's Solutions Exchange tool. The online tool is designed to help SMEs connect with government and find out about potential ways to sell to the public sector or to pitch an innovative idea.
The Carnegie UK Trust is looking for a PR agency to help with media support services. The trust, which looks to influence public policy with the aim of improving lives, is believed to be currently in talks with agencies.
The Cabinet Office is in the final stages of deciding on an agency to develop and deliver a social media strategy for National Citizen Service. The Government is looking for support over the summer to help raise awareness of the programme, which is aimed at 16- and 17-year-olds.


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A laser printer or copier is required for the initial printing along with some laser heat transfer foil. For the heat transfer, a regular laminator is recommended or you can also use a household clothes iron with a little practice.
Metallic foil is a good way to attain a shiny gold or silver effect which cannot be achieved with regular printer ink. The end results are shiny, realistic looking metallic effects.
Here's a short list of transfer foil projects that I have seen using heat transfer foil:
• Christmas card borders and toppers
• Card making
• Scrapbooking projects
• Business cards
• Book covers
• Wedding invitations
• Party invites
• Craft projects
What you will need:
• Some laser heat transfer foil
• A laminator for the heat transfer (a clothes iron can also be used)
• A laser printer or laser copier to print out a black picture, design or text.
Before I owned a laser printer, I used to visit my local Staples store to print out the images that I wanted to use onto plain white paper for a small fee which is an alternative for those who do not own a laser printer.
The Process
Depending on your project, you will need to locate the pictures or text to use for the foil transfer. For instance, if you were doing a scrapbooking project about horse riding, you might want a large golden horse on the front of your project or maybe a Unicorn or Pegasus.
For this project, I would start at Google images, and do a search for "horse silhouette." This will produce dozens of black images of horses for me to choose from. If you need a large picture, you can adjust the images that Google return by clicking onto "large" images only. Once selected, save the image by right clicking / save followed by printing out with a laser printer.
Step 1) Roughly cut your image out and put to one side.
Step 2) Grab a plain piece of A4 paper and place this on the floor
Step 3) Place your image, picture side facing up, on top of your plain sheet base.
Step 4) cut a piece out of your foil, slightly bigger than your image and place this on top of your image metallic side facing up.
Step 5) Now place either a piece of greaseproof type paper or another piece of plain paper on top of your foil to make a 4 level sandwich.
Step 6) Turn your laminator on, wait for it to reach temperature and then pass the sandwich through the laminator.
Wait a few moments to cool down, remove the top sheet / greaseproof type paper and then slowly peel the foil away from the picture. You will see that the foil has heat transferred onto the black picture, leaving it coated with gold and ready to apply to your project.
How to Make Your Own Holograms
Laser heat transfer foil also comes in a holographic form too allowing for all kinds of images, logo's, pictures or text to be coated with a special silver spectrum effect. Again, the same steps apply as above allowing for great holographic effects for business cards and craft projects.
Foil Size
Foil sheets come in various sizes, the most popular being in sheets of 15cm x 3metres. This amount will provide you with enough material for potentially hundreds of Christmas card borders or toppers or thousands of business card logo's etc.
Heat Transfer
Using a laminator is the most popular method to use for the heat transfer. Just one pass through the machine is enough to completely coat your once black image or text with a metallic effect. If you do not have a laminator, try using a household cloths iron instead. Many people use this with no problems.
Depending on the type of laminator or iron that you have, you may need to substitute the greaseproof top sheet with a second piece of plain paper to slightly reduce the temperature as the paper lets slightly less heat through than the heat transfer greaseproof type paper. I use the greaseproof type paper personally as this works best with my laminator.
It really is simple to make very creative designs and brighten up everyday objects if you take a little time and follow this guide. Do a search on eBay or Google for heat transfer foil and craft paper and you should be presented with various pack options for Gold, Silver and Hologram.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ahmed_Hammad
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7448097


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Not a chance that she or any other ANC member would be allowed to go to Israel to see the country for themselves.
Should they go, they would be shocked to see that this tiny country in the desert has an abundance of water well beyond its needs; there is no load-shedding; every traffic light works; and there are no potholes on the roads.
Apartheid does not exist anywhere in Israel. Arabs, Christians, and Muslims are members of Knesset, attend universities, and are free to go and shop where they like.
They will see greenery all over the country which was once yellow desert sand.
Agriculture is everywhere. There are trees, fruit, and vegetables all over the country.
There is hardly any unemployment; and there is no car hi-jacking, no house robberies, nobody being robbed or raped. No daily murders of rivals. Women and children are safe.
Imagine Mbete or other ANC members seeing all this and comparing it to what they have achieved.
The answer is simple: don't go to Israel!
Moreover, is Mbete or any of her compatriots aware that this tiny country, the size of the Kruger National Park, has sent a satellite to the moon, which will land on 11 April. Israel will be the fourth country in the world after the United States, Russia, and China to perform this magnificent feat.
Type the code from the image


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The wired and wireless college network is managed by dedicated network administrators in Networking and Technical Services. The network connects all campuses together as well as provides an avenue to internet based resources and tools. A state of the art firewall also helps protect our network and resources.
Part of the network management is also providing controlled remote access to networked resources from off campus. If an employee's work requires a secure connection to networked data and resources, they can request a remote access account. This will provide access to any data allowed by that employee's account and security.
Key Features and Benefits
- Wired and wireless network access to campus resources and the internet at every campus and outside (where possible)
- Network protection via network design and firewall
- Remote secure access possible depending on employee account and need


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The people of deer lake resort are very rude and unprofessioal to say the least. "The owner' opened the door to our condo without knocking,forcefully pushed past one of the ladies that was staying in the bedroom #2. I asked her who she was and her reply was a rude "I own this place and I'm checking to see if they put the new bed in this bedroom Geez , wouldn't the polite way have been to knock on the door and say, excuse me I'm the owner and I would like to see if the new bed has been set up in that bedroom ,do you mind if I look? Very rude and unprofessional to say the least. The rest of the staff had the same attitude… Like they were doing is a favor buy letting us stay in their condo. We were not offered clean towels or linen the entire 3 1/2 days. I would not recommend this place nor would I ever go back. I could write a book here about everything I am unhappy with but will just leave it as a pretty campground that the new owners will probably run in the ground.
Well kept campgrounds, but the owner Dave came into our campsite drunk and belligerent, called our children profanities, then returned later in the evening and proceeded to run his golf cart into two of the vehicles at out campsite yelling more profanities, he then got off of his cart and fell onto a personal camp table smashing it. He also physically assaulted two of the parties at our campsite, this is all after crashing through the campsite next to ours, running over a tent and yelling profanities at the site on the other side of their campsite. The owners refused to pay for any of the damages and the excuse we received was that Dave had a bad day and had been drinking vodka. I just want to remind you this is the owner of the resort. So if you you choose this place just be careful.
We stumbled on this resort because they were on the Passport America list. They are NO longer a passport America park as they are under new ownership. Nice large campsites, beautiful swimming area and cute little store and breakfast restaurant! Beautiful star-y skies and lots of deer at night!!! No fire ring at the site, there are picnic tables and we had a full hookup site! Staff was super friendly. Dog friendly!
This place has it all! Showers, weekend breakfast, a store, a kayak launch, you name it. This is a great place to come with your family and enjoy a day on the lake. They have big roomy sites and lots of lakefront.
Nice little resort with a store- hookups - docks and boat launch. The lake is a small lake but is a good fishing lake. The resort does have a swim beach.
This place has something for everyone. Camping, fishing, kayaking and volleyball.


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You were recently re-elected as the Vice President of Harrow, any ideas as to why you remain as the students' favourite choice?
I think student's have seen the positive culture change me and the team I work with have created this year. From the Move In BBQ to re-enforcing policies and making sure students can enjoy their campus, we've worked rapidly to reignite the SU on campus. I hope they see they have a capable pair of hands leading them, so why replace something that isn't broken?
What do you think are the important steps you've already taken in the last year to make some changes in Harrow?
I've been really keen to balance 'student experience' and 'academic progress'. Both are linked but also very separate and integral parts of students lives. For example, we've looked at the offering in our shops and bars, to make sure they're what students want, which is just a small part of the work I'm doing in that area. I've also worked constructively with Aramark to get chip and pin in all outlets, as well as updating the offering they have. I've also worked on reducing course costs and we've just agreed a three-year working group which will hopefully implement our recommendations. So I've taken quite a few steps to shape positive change!
How do you maintain close relationships and communication with the students?
Different ways with different students. With some it's about going to grab coffee, others I see in the bar, I'll help students out with projects where they support, through various parts of our democracy (like Forums, etc.). Students can get in touch and arrange to see me, they can text or Facebook me and I'll always try to help!
What are your plans for the upcoming year as the Vice President?
Over the next year we're going to see a lot of changes in the student market. I'm starting a lot of projects over the next 12 months to support various areas of student life, including: halls, social space on campus, improving our shops and bars, updating teaching spaces and access to specialist softwares. I'll also be working with the rest of the Sabbatical Officers on various things around Brexit and International Students, the Teaching Excellence Framework and any potential fee increases.
Do you think there is anything specific that should be worked on and developed at Harrow?
I think it is so, so important that we continue to rebuilt the WSMAD community. I've been working closely with the Associate Dean (UG), Sarah Niblock, and the Director of Student Experience, Andy Golding, on ways we can do this and I think we've got some really positive steps forward that will continue to grow.


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Introduction: Oak Handled Spatula
I had a cheap spatula that the handle had broken off of lying around, so I decided to make up a new handle out of some oak scrap. If you want to make one just to make one, without having the broken parts already around, you could probably just go to a dollar store and get a spatula and remove its handle. If you do this, you'll want to use a clean way to cut it, and cut it at the point where you want the handle to meet the metal part.
Either way, you'll need:
The metal parts described above
A piece of wood suitable
Medium grit sandpaper
A spoke shave or two
A plow plane
A bench vise
A drill (preferably a drill press)
1/4" drill bit
5/16" threaded rod
5/16" tap (for threading the hole)
A table saw
A welding or brazing machine
Some food-safe lacquer and a clean rag
Teacher Notes
Teachers! Did you use this instructable in your classroom?
Add a Teacher Note to share how you incorporated it into your lesson.
Step 1: Prepare Your Design
I used a half-centimeter grid. In the photos, there are marker marks on the spatula part, which are just different options of length. I ended up going with the shortest of the three.
Step 2: Cut the Rough Handle
Cut out the rough handle shape. On the grid paper, I just eyeballed the angle, and drew it with a pencil. I did mark those lines onto the wood to follow when cutting.
I ripped it, down the grain, one inch wide. The blank I was using was an inch thick, so the dimensions of the rough handle were 1" x 1", and 6" long.
Step 3: Carve and Sand the Handle
Using first the larger spoke shave, I just cut a rough bevel edge on all four edges, starting the cut about 1.5" from the end the metal was to be fastened. Then, I cut successively more round edges, switching to the smaller spoke shave once I felt that smaller cuts were necessary.
The sixth picture shows the shape of the end the metal was going to be threaded into. The two sides on the front that I hadn't beveled on the table saw, I used the plow plane to bevel. Then, I used the smaller spoke shave to run a small bevel on all four edges up to the end of the piece.
The fifth picture shows the handle already sanded, which I did a lot of. The sanding will be (however not too awful much) easier if you use the smaller spoke shave at the end of your carving. Near the end of the process of carving, I used more and smaller cuts. This creates a smoother round before sanding. I do not recommend deep cuts with the spoke shave, because doing so creates little nicks from the blade, which are very difficult to sand. You want a smooth, shallow cut, with one long and coiling shaving.
Step 4: Drill and Thread the Hole
I (with assistance) drilled the hole into the metal end of the handle, 1.125" deep. Then, I used the 5/16" tap to thread the hole about three quarters of the depth of the hole. Doing so leaves some un-tapped wood to be threaded by the rod on the metal part, giving it a stronger hold.
Step 5: Make the Metal End
I'm no buff on brazing and welding, but my dad is, so we agreed to make it a duo effort. He brazed on a 5/16" threaded rod, with enough extra to go into the wood about an inch. Brazing is better for this application because it uses brass, which does not have iron. Brass does not rust, and this is good for something that will be washed in water quite a lot.
Step 6: Put It All Together
Now you can just thread the two together. Depending on how deep you threaded prior, there will be some harder cranking near the end.
Step 7: Lacquer the Wood
I used two coats of a food-safe cutting board oil, which I found in the paint aisle.


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was the first company to incorporate inverter technology into air conditioning systems in 1981, and since then it has always maintained a technological advantage over its competitors. The development of the new and exclusive DC hybrid
system has reaffirmed this ability to innovate and maintain technological leadership in a fast-growing market.
Air treatment, low sound levels, guaranteed energy savings and easy installation of the indoor units make the
Toshiba air conditioners ...
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11 July 2019
Nintendo is said to launch two new models of its Switch gaming console. Out of these two modes, the first variant is said to be for hardcore gamers and the other one is said to be a stripped-down variant which may be available at a slightly lower price point.
While not much is known about these consoles, LetsGoDigital, a Dutch technology blog has imagined how the compact an low priced, Nintendo Switch Lite may look like.
The first-generation Switch though was liked by everyone, however, after the emergence of bezel-less display in smartphones, it made sense to have such a display present in Switch. This render released by LetsGoDigital suggests that the 'Nintendo Switch Lite' may come with this much-anticipated update and may feature a near bezel-less display.
As per speculations by leading publications like Nikkei, a Japanese financial newspaper, the 'Switch Lite' may miss several important features from the main console. It quotes Ace Research Institute Hideki Yasuda which states that Nintendo may repeat its 2006 act where it launched the DS Lite console with a single display, unlike the dual screen console Game Boy Advanced.
The Wall Street Journal also mentions that the budget and compact Switch Lite may not have detachable Joy-Cons and may not even support vibration. While LetsGoDigital also assumes that the company may cut costs by removing a few other key features and may not even have a facility to dock the console to play games on TV.
Barring these, there is no other major piece of information available as of now. While a budget Nintendo Switch looks like an exciting prospect, Nintendo may sell wireless Joy-Cons and TV dock separately, as these are the two USPs of Nintendo Switch and are the reason behind its success.
It is speculated that at least one of the consoles may be released out as early as E3 2019 in Las Vegas. Till then, like us, please stay tuned.


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We are a fair trade clothing company providing total visibility into our people, products, and pricing. By owning our tailoring centre we guarantee a DNA of fairness behind everything you buy.
You deserve answers to your questions and we have nothing to hide.
- We have complete control so you can have complete access. This includes visibility into who makes your clothes, our sourcing, and the pricing.
- Our extraordinary tailors craft exquisite, high-quality, fair trade clothing at a good price.
- Fashion can and should be fair, ethical, and sustainable and we take great pride in proving that every day.
- Our greatest joy is to be a force for good in the world.
To learn more about how this journey began, take a look at this video!


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Click here to visit the Nevada Department of Education home page.
Click here to view the list of charter schools registered with the Nevada Department of Education.
What Is a Charter School?
Charter schools are public schools that are independent of school districts through contracts with state or local boards. As public schools, charter schools are open to all children, do not require entrance exams, cannot charge tuition, and must participate in state testing and federal accountability programs. The schools draw up their own "charter" which is a set of rules and performance standards that they are held accountable to.
How are charter schools different from traditional public schools?
Charter Schools:
- Exempt from certain state or local rules and regulations
- Governed by a group or organization, instead of by the state education board
- Accountable to a charter — a performance contract — and are obligated to meet standards in the charter in order to receive funding and maintain autonomy
- Funded on a per-pupil basis with public funds
Traditional Public Schools:
- Must meet education standards set by the state education board, following all state and local laws and regulations
- Each public school district has a publicly-elected school board that's held accountable for school performance
- Rely on a combination of local, state, and federal government funding, with a great portion of that coming in the form of local taxes (funding varies across school districts)
Why Choose a Charter School?
A largely attractive feature of charter schools is the on-board flexibility offered at each participating institution. This type of flexibility can take several forms:
- Schools can adjust the curricula and class materials to fit students' needs.
- Some schools create a theme or an overall focus for their curricula, such as STEM education, performing arts, college prep, or language immersion.
- Some schools' concept of the physical classroom can vary, such as allowing kids to access online classes.
How is a charter school established?
A group of people—which could include parents, community leaders, teachers, school districts, or municipalities—submit a charter. This charter is then reviewed by authorizers. Depending on state laws, these authorizers can be: a state board of education, education agencies, higher ed institutions, or local school districts. Authorizers are held accountable for the performance of the charter school, and the charter must be renewed every few years.
How are charter schools funded?
Charter schools receive their funds by getting state-approved charters. If a charter is approved, funding is allotted on a per-pupil basis. They are primarily publicly funded, but can still receive private funding.
How do students enroll in a charter school?
Students must apply and be accepted, sometimes through a lottery system if the school cannot accommodate all the applicants.


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Francis Fukuyama, Chris Patten, Ruth Richardson
Listen to the programme
Political scientist Francis Fukuyama is best known for his controversial treatise The End of History. In it he declared the age-old struggle over political ideologies had ended; liberal democracy, he argued, was the victor. But with Russia, China and the global financial crisis challenging his thesis, could it be that nearly twenty years on we are still hostage to history?
Chris Patten, ex-governor of Hong Kong and former European Commissioner, discusses his new book, What Next?, which looks at the global challenges we face in the next few decades. After every atrocity we always say 'never again' and yet when the next one comes along, we seem to stand idly by? Is now the time to implement the Responsibility to Protect?
As the medical world celebrates 150 years since the publication of perhaps the most influential anatomy handbook of all times, Gray's Anatomy, historian Ruth Richardson considers how some advances in 19th century medical knowledge, were predicated on plentiful supply of corpses of the poor for dissection. And - a century and a half later - are we doing enough to protect vulnerable people who find themselves in situations similar to the destitute of Victorian London?
Listen to the 60 Second Idea To Change The World
Each week one guest presents an idea to enhance the world. This week it's the turn of historian Ruth Richardson.
News Online 60 Second Idea comments
Listener comments...
I enjoyed the programme, as usual. I do not agree with Francis Fukuyama that the world is achieving a consensus in thinking a liberal democracy is the best form of government. Societies will continue to experiment and evolve. Personally, I think some form of socialist regime would be best with people working for the common good but also allowing for, and appreciating, individual differences. I think the American way is too self-centred; I prefer the Scandinavian model.
How do you appreciate the fact that liberal democraty bring extremist groups and groups like hamas in governance? Should it be accepted for the sake of ideology?
I guess the most crucial thing about your suggested New World Order, or rather the end of it, is to establish the principal of JUSTICE - as opposed to USA and UN had shown us in the past (Genocide. torture, Guantanamo, assasinations, Mossad, secret masonary, skulls and bones etc.) if the strive would/should be Global Peace, and not violence, slavery and sweet words.
Liberalism died with the collapse of the free market. The iternal contradictions of the ''free market itself is what brought about the financial collapse . The solution is to socilise world markets and money itself . Dialectical materialism is your only method out of this rabbit hole you've got yourselves lost in.
Nothing the United States has done has in anyway diminished the worldwide wish for democracy. It may have given a pretense to various cliques in power to maintain their power but these pretenses are fig leaves that don't hide the truth. In fact, democracy, in marketing terms, has overwhelmingly won the mindset of the world. Almost everybody, almost everywhere, wants democracy. The Russian and Chinese governments claim to have democracy in their countries they certainly don't preach royalty or anything but universal suffrage. Just Saturday night (December 6) on the BBC show Hardtalkthe author Alaa al Aswany preached for democracy in Egypt. While he complained that successive American governments propped up dictatorships and hindered democracy in Egypt his remarks show that there is a strong, worldwide demand for democracy.
In today's programme, I heard about America losing its moral authority because of the "grotesque double" standard that it perpatrated through its use of certain interrogation techniques, and how Obama's administration may regain some of that moral authority. How can a nation built on slavery, a nation where racism was enshrined in some of it laws as recently as the 1960s, a nation that terrorized nations and its own citizen because of a belief in communism, a nation where its own poor, remeber Katrina, are hope less, a so called leader of the developed world where it is novel that a non-white man becomes president, a nation that has committed atrocites against people in virtually every continent through the decades (Vietnam, Iraq, Afganistan, Pakistan, Kenya and more), a nation that is not an honest peacebroker (Israel/Palestine), a hypocritical nation that sells nuclear technology yet prevents others from developing the same technology, a nation that supports abuses of human rights or turns a blind eye when it suits its purpose (Sadam), a nation that supports democracy only on its own terms (Hamas in Palestine, and the list goes on and on. America never had any moral authority. It is a myth, a lie that unravels every now and again.
I appreciated your program very much. Still I would like to highlight two points of the discussion:
I think there is a danger in the assertion of the universality of values i.e. human rights, because it might also mean that the U.S. and Europe are pretending to hold the clue of many more things in their hands, as to telling the world what is right or wrong, good or bad, especially when it comes to interpret single concrete issues (e.g. Somalia: pirates sustainable use of fisheries self sustaining fishers free maritime traffic: who is whose enemy?)
Secondly, if the whole world follows just one principle, there might get lost cognition or finding. If there is no difference any more, you will forget about the fact that you can have a choice!
It may be a lack of liberty, if you as a single state are not entitled to your own decisions that might be contradictory to majoritarian positions because of that almost holy principle of open markets, which in reality doesn't exist (e.g. subsidies in agriculture in USA and Europe). There are so many fields of importance in a society that do not fit into the scheme of open market, like education, public health, infrastructure, free exchange of knowledge between scientists, development of new technologies that are not marketable yet but in the interest of the public (there comes in the claim of competitiveness, which also is a chimera), really existing monopolies that enslave the world. Or there could be a vital interest of so called third world countries, who have knowledge or natural resources that might be exploited by global enterprises to the disadvantage of the former (e.g. patents on plants or traditional procedures of production etc.).
I think, any party who claims to have a universal key is quite questionable.
Francis Fukuyama talks of incredible things that have happened throughout the last twelve months or so. He talks of pendular impetus describing the cycles of economy, and that everything is more complicated than we thought before. ?Now it's a failure to regulate, not of excessive regulation? (Fukuyama). Although we were told all the time that there had been to much regulation still!!! What a poor statement uttered by a world famous scientist!
I was glad about hearing Chris Patten's points, but Ruth Richardson's topics were a little apart from the points of the center of discussion, but that seems to be according to your boldly crossing boundaries.
Certain unexamined assumptions were passed over too quickly:
1) WESTERN DEMOCRACY. There is a teleological assumption implicit in Western religious ideology: things progress toward the Kingdom of God on Earth (or its equivalents).This assumption in not part of the Eastern world view which assumes that things are in constant flux proceeding in great circles ("time's arrow vs. times round")Rule by a specially selected and trained elite could be infinitely superior to what is called Western Democracy. Questions to be resolved: How often should the opportunity be given to change the rulers? How to avoid corruption and nepotism among the rulers?
2) The statement that "traditionally, international law is established by the UN, etc." is wildly in error. What is called "international law" is essentially a series of treaties among states that can be voided at the will of a sovereign state. Unless this concept is understood, an enormous amount of total nonsense will inevitably ensue. The UN and the Security Council are not a World government. Should we move toward a World government? Is the concept of multiple power groupings a step in the wrong direction?
3) The "Right to Intervene" is wishful thinking rather than reality. Lustig is quite right to raise the issue of sovereignty in this connection. A rule of law is desirable. However, a rule of law requires equal application- this is not today's reality. Genocide is often mentioned in connection with a theoretical "Right to Intervene". Genocide has been defined. It is a matter of intent, rather than of body count and includes the forced transfer of peoples. Anyone wishing to grasp this nettle must consider Israel's policy toward the Palestinians.
Bottom line: how much sovereignty should be surrendered to a supranational organization?
The discussion on sovereignty and whether UN or other bodies should be allowed or obliged to interfere when another nation has turned on itself and is self-destructing. And Francis Fukiyama said it would be hard to know how to do it, in practical terms. He is right but perhaps world policies need to be re-arranged a bit so that countries most capable of helping effectively can actually do so.
a) An international pool of Administrators could be set up. These people would have to be of exceptional ability and moral quality. Any troubled country that asks for serious amounts of foreign aid should only get it if it also agrees to employ appropriate administrators from this pool, for a sufficient period to ensure the recovery and stabilisation of said country. The key points are employ and international. While administering the funding now provided for whichever branch of government they are expected to administer, they would answer to the Govt. of the country and there would be no great loss of face for that Govt., any more than when a football team brings in the best coach (however foreign) they can afford, or a big company with some serious glitch employs an expert troubleshooter.
b) "The West" is brainwashed by guilt to feel obliged to constantly pick up the pieces of man-made disasters, even while the disasters are on-going. The end result is that we are enabling the disaster to continue and the costs to us and especially to the country concerned are possibly much greater than if no outside help was given at all until the disaster had played out to its bitter end or if early, very strong, interference brought it to a halt. How come, by the way, that it is always 'the West' held to blame when so many other (most) parts of the world have had their turns at being the baddies?. And the definition of
'man-made disaster' would have to be considered most carefully.
c) The old saying "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" is relevant and should be kept in mind when assessing sovereignty. It has been proved by experience and by experiment (quite a recent one in some American university) that if accountability is set aside utterly, we humans revert at warp speed to the extremely violent primates that we have always been. We have had to evolve our laws, religions, rituals etc. and etc. to allow us to cope with larger and larger numbers of ourselves. An easy example is Mob Violence. In the anonymity of a crowd, perfectly decent people can behave savagely. Afterwards they may be very ashamed and never get into such a situation again, or they will find excuses (I only kicked that fallen policeman once and he was still alive, it wasn't me who gave the final kick). Leaders (of gangs, or companies or countries) who are not held accountable can soon get to the point, it seems, of psycopathy where they really can not recognise the difference between right and wrong. The responsibility of the King's Jester, or the slave in the chariot of a Roman conquerer was to keep reminding him that he was human and therefore fallible. Therefore, support should be given to democracies that stick to a limited number of re-elections for heads of state. At which point does a leader become a dictator or a dictator become a monster.
I contest that Liberal democracy has triumphed.. Europe still arguable is a social democracy, and latin america is to a much greater extent. The problems of free markets are still obvious and manifest in many place today. Democracy itself seems to have suceeded, but by no means has the 'liberal' economic model triumphed. Why else do the people of venezula vote for chavez? Arguably it is the Thatcher Reagan concensus that has caused much of the poverty through free market policies that blights Africa today.
Two men who's complete life has been fixed (for slightly different reasons) in the 'liberal capitalist democratic' structure. Do you expect them to say anything other than 'it's the best, it just screws up sometimes'? They would be surprised how the world will be in 100 years. So would I, but I and they will be dead. Pure arrogance. The end of history - nonsense. And I have read the book.
Yet to really impact on Western-style democracy - or any other system for that matter - is 'open' democracy. In other words, instead of just electing representatives, anyone will be able to influence and generate government policy, legislation and budgets directly, including over the Internet - regardless of who got elected. The Free Software Movement, which creates the free operating system Linux, the free web browser Firefox and the free office suite OpenOffice, has for over a decade now been prototyping the kinds of organisational methods and technologies that 'open' democracy will be able to employ.
Efforts at participatory democracy already being trialed include change.gov in the US, ohmynews in South Korea, and TheyWorkForYou in the UK. However in due course, some predict these kinds of 'open' democracy methods will become more important institutions in the national democratic discourse than the processes of representative democracy they are initially designed to help improve upon.
It is far too early to suppose this will predominate.Owing not least to this media, consent will be required, so extremes of theocracy or autocracy fortunately seem doomed.
For democracy to triumph, the general populace must have the power to exert their views, and accept the responsibility for doing so.It will be judged by results.At present opininion is unofficially formed by a tiny clique of global capitalists.
It is not only that financial institutions must be regulated, capitalism is making a bad fist of raising cultural standards, and of making available useful and rewarding work for all.It is also destroying the planet.
within consent government, social, co-operative and communitarian models must be tolerated, and locally tried.
Meanwhile it is wrong for liberal democratic nations to try to export their ideals by force.Abuses within nation states should only be countered through the united nations.
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Today, I have an SAT (Successful Author Talk, not that test American students dread) with Mindy McGinnis, who writes young adult fiction and hosts Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire.
Among Mindy's thought-provoking questions are:
- Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?
- Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?
- When do you build your platform? After publication? Or should you be working before?
Find out the answers to these questions and more at Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire.


text: Theatre & Opera ROBERT SAMUT HALL, FLORIANA Sarrija Road, Floriana, Floriana, FRN 1519, Malta This Neo-Gothic building, completed in 1883, was originally the Floriana Wesleyan Methodist Church, house of Protestant worship. The architectural style of this building is Neo-Gothic and was designed by architect Thomas Mullet Ellis. Work started in 1881 and was completed in 1883 under the direction of Poulsen. It was inaugurated for religious worship on the 18th March 1883. It was the first building in Malta to use the incandescent light bulb alias electricity. On 4th April 1975, the building now under the control of the Maltese government, was inaugurated as a centre for cultural activities. It was subsequently named for Robert Sammut, the composer of the Maltese national anthem who hailed from Floriana. Robert Samut Hall is presently the resident space of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Contact Information Contact: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Phone: +356 21244473 Email: email@example.com Website: http://www.maltaorchestra.com Facilities & Services Disabled Facilities No Smoking Parking Shops within 1 km Town/City Location View on Map


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Get your Pink Card now and 25% goes straight to Susan G. Komen®
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Welcome to this unique home nestled on a beautiful property with specimen trees landscaped by the renowned James C Rose landscape Architect in the East hills of Tenafly. The split level home offers large rooms with separate wings, an atrium, lots of skylights & much more! Enjoy the breathtaking view of the property from the large deck off of the dining room. Relax by the three layered pond surrounded by mature trees & the in ground pool. This home is a rare find! Must see to appreciate!
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This section provides links to current wildlife health information and resources using a number of different categories and areas of interest. News, resources and information focus on Australia but also include information from overseas. We hope this assists everyone finding out more about wildlife health topics of interest.
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Wildlife Health Australia sends out a weekly electronic digest via e-mail summarising wildlife disease related news occurring both in Australia and internationally, including media stories, research news, upcoming events and recent publications. Selected posts from the Digest are posted in this Resource Section.
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Author: Keren Cox-Witton/Thursday, 20 March 2014/Categories: Australian Bat Lyssavirus, Bats, Zoonoses, emerging diseases, human/public health, General
Bat handling protocols: Appendix 1 (p191-194) of Field HE (2005). "The Ecology of Hendra virus and Australian bat lyssavirus", PhD thesis, The University of Queensland. The full thesis can be downloaded from UQ eSpace >>
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Grover Norquist is the problem with Washington DC, not the solution
The evidence shows clearly that Grover Norquist is not the anti-tax, limited government advocate he would have you believe.
Norquist's record is that he will cheer unfunded government spending increases when it suits his own interests, and will shift his interpretation of the ATR no-tax pledge depending on who is lobbying clients are or what special interests he is protecting. As seen with the Defense of Marriage Act and his lobbying for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, he will take both sides of the issue given enough time. The Abramoff scandal showed that he willingly whored out the conservative movement to the highest bidder. And his promoting terror leaders, such as Sami al-Arian and Abdurahman Alamoudi, along with his attempts to scuttle the Operation Greenquest terror finance investigation targeting his lobbying clients and friends, shows he has no reservations putting his own financial interests ahead of those of the country.
Make no mistake: Grover Norquist is the problem with Washington DC, not the solution.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Grover Norquist: The Opposite of Principle
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The Silent Hill games have been among the few survival horror games that have kept continuing. Konami carries on the franchise with Silent Hill: Shattered Memories which is the seventh instalment and also the first time in the series to appear on a Nintendo console.
If you have played the very first Silent Hill, you will find that you are more familiar with the story for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. This seventh instalment is not so much a remake, but more of a re-imagined version that plays differently from the rest of the series.
The story begins like the first game where you play as Harry Mason. Harry wakes up from a car accident only to find his daughter, Cheryl, missing in a mysterious and creepy town called Silent Hill. The game's story is told through a series of interactive cutscenes with a psychiatrist who asks you to do certain tasks, which then lead back into the game again. However, depending on the choice you make on certain tasks, your gaming experience will change. No two players have the same experiences playing this game as the game shapes itself towards your personality.
For instance, if you find yourself looking at pictures of women on the walls, you will find that the women in the cuts scenes and in the game will appear sexier. Another example is when the psychiatrist hands over a picture of a house and asks you to colour in your perfect home. After doing this you go back into the game with the exact same colours you used in the picture earlier.
The game is split into two modes. The first is the regular search and puzzle mode. The second is where you do nothing but run for your life! During search and puzzle mode you control Harry using the Nunchuk. The Wii mote is used as a torch throughout the game allowing you to manoeuvre Harry by pointing to the far left or right. As most of the game is set in the dark, the torch becomes the most useful item in the game.
Silent Hill has a certain eerie and creepy feeling throughout the game. On occasion, it can make you jump as you encounter situations as the speaker from your Wii mote gives off strange noises. The Wii mote is also used as a phone, so when you receive a call, you have to hold the Wii mote up to your ear and listen to whoever is calling you. The puzzles are like every other survival horror, but more motion based, making good use of the controller. Thankfully the developers have thought about the game's mechanics, so there is no 'waggle' whatsoever.
The second mode is when everything in the scene gradually turns into an icy nightmare (which looks surprisingly good for a Nintendo Wii game) and you run away from naked freaky looking creatures. This is where the game becomes very intense as you can do nothing but run from creatures that coincidently happen to be invulnerable. Like most games where you are granted a gun or at least a pipe with which to knock the enemy over the head, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories gives you nothing…
You run through doors and hide under beds, inside closets to escape the nightmare. If the freaky creatures manage to grab hold of you, they will try to pin you down which will end the game. The only way to release yourself from them is to make 'throw like' gestures. These work really well. Waggle play doesn't work for these situations, so you will really have to throw your arms to get it to work in the game. Once you have found the exit point of the nightmare the game jumps back into search and puzzle mode.
I was very surprised to see a game like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories appear on the Wii. It's one of the few games that actually try to look realistic and despite the limitations of the hardware, I feel the developers really did a good job of it. The game is unfortunately really short but can be replayed in different ways depending on the things you do in the game. The story is engaging and the nightmare sequences do have you at the edge of your seat. It's just a shame it's over too soon.
4 out of 5.
I graduated from Bradford University in 2006 training in Animation and special effects. I have a massive love for animation and especially in games. I currently train with AnimationMentor, the Animators from Pixar and Disney. I also train as a martial artist, Tang so do, Tai chi and Capoeria, which is probably why most of my interest in films and games are usually action and fighting related. I really enjoy Manga movies (such as Fist of the North Star) and action movies such as Equilibrium, Matrix Trilogy, Blade, Night Watch, Drive, Hitman, Troy and Underworld. I'm also a big fan of psychological films such as Memento and Irreversible too. I have been playing games since I was little, first ever games console was a Super Nintendo with Street Fighter 2. Since then I have been completely loyal to Nintendo and have owned every Nintendo console, including the rare Nintendo watch, to date. My main interests are action games such as Smash Bros, Tekken and Mario Kart, however I do also like games which lean more towards good storylines such as Metal Gear Solid.


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Transcend / Trying to get started...« on: March 13, 2009, 04:14:54 PM »
I took 4-5 hours and removed all files, and reinstalled them, and everything is working fine now.. so.. Thank you for the help that you gave me.
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Today a bunch of us visited the Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul. We had a great time.
When I was in high school I played in the Shrine Bowl, and we visited children in a Shriner's Hospital. I was touched with the kind of things the hospital does for the kids, it was very interesting to me.
It was me, Fred Evans, Brian Daniels, John Sullivan, Derrick Roberson and Benny Sapp. We got to meet a lot of children, some that were just coming out of surgeries and things like that. When they heard some Vikings were here to see them their faces lit up with smiles. I actually got to sit down with a few of the kids in the recovery room, I painted with them, drew pictures with them. We had little Vikings license plates to hand out to almost every patient we saw and we all signed them.
It's important to me to give back like that when I have the chance.
The draft is over and we had a good bunch of picks, including a guy I played with in college, Jasper Brinkley, linebacker. It's going to fun to have another Carolina guy in the locker room.
There's not a whole lot I can tell him at this point, just to live as close to the facility as possible. Getting up in the morning and driving 20 minutes to practice can be tough. Traffic gets pretty bad by the time we're out, too.
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Maureen Rojas
Maureen was initiated into the Upsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity at The Ohio State University where she graduated with a BSBA, majoring in human resources management. Her career in human resources included roles in consulting, banking and media where she served as the director of human resources at a cable TV company. Today she is the executive assistant at the Beanstalk Foundation, a nonprofit that supports and recognizes over 50 Colorado nonprofit leaders. For the past fifteen years, she has volunteered with Phi Mu in local, area and national officer positions while raising two wonderful children with her husband of 28 years. Maureen's favorite past times are cooking with her husband, watching their children participate in their various activities, reading, and crafts.


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Moreland Zebras Football Club is proud to be associated 400 Gradi.
We take this opportunity to thank 400 Gradi for its support. Looking for a perfect place to dine out head down to 400 Gradi East Brunswick / Crown Melbourne.
400 Gradi is the brainchild of chef and V.P.N. Principal Johnny Di Francesco, who's family hail from Naples in Southern coastal Italy – the home of 'world's best' pizza. Johnny has a series of Pizza and Calzone outlets with the 400 Gradi restaurant being the flagship of the group.
The 400 Gradi interiors are all about classic Italian textures, with walls of espresso ribbons of Stucco Veneziana and sweeping golden calligraphy. Black and antique gold pendant lights and a charcoal Terrazzo style polished floor all reflect a golden hue. A bar honed from a dark veined slab of 160 year old red gum, salumi cabinets and antique slicers are all part of the theatre… Outside there's plenty more tables for dining where the usual sophistication of the 'other' end of Lygon Street is apparent.
Johnny is the first Australian ever trained in Naples to the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana VPN rules and he's the association's Australasian Principal, travelling the region ensuring pizzeria's are of the highest standard before officially inducting them into the Association.
Appearing regularly on the 'Regional Italian Cuisine' program and having appeared at the famous Caesars Palace during the Las Vegas International Pizza Expo Johnny also regularly holds seasonal Masterclasses – fast becoming recognised as Melbourne's Mr. Pizza!
400 Gradi is available for group bookings and functions. For sample group and event menus and to discuss your event further please fill in your details below or write to us directly.
For all other enquiries please fill out your details below and we will be in touch.
400 Gradi East Brunswick
99 Lygon Street
East Brunswick VIC 3057
Gradi at Crown
Shop 25, 8 Whiteman Street
Southbank Victoria 3006
E. firstname.lastname@example.com
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Back with this weeks update for you guys to take a look at. With the new Pokemon game just around the conner I wanted to do my version of Sonia. In this pinup Sonia is enjoying a nice anal creampie. Login and and check it out and see you guys next week. Later ~Teku
Sonia: Pokemon Sword and Shield.
By michaelpough
Posted on: October 24, 2019 at 12:00 AM