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A popular homeopathic flu remedy boasts that it comes with no side effects, no drug interactions and won't make you drowsy. But the product also lacks something most people expect to find in their medicine: active ingredients.
Oscillococcinum (O-sill-o-cox-see-num), a tongue-twisting concoction used to treat flulike symptoms, is a staple in many European homes. Sales are steadily growing in the U.S., where it can be found everywhere from storefronts to major retailers.
Homeopathy critics, however, derisively call the product "oh-silly-no-see-um," a reference to the absence of active ingredients. It's products such as Oscillococcinum that have placed homeopathy in an awkward position: popular among holistic-minded consumers but scorned by scientists and most Western-trained doctors.
The British Medical Association vehemently objects to national funding for homeopathy treatment, considering any effect to be placebo. Around the world, activists have staged mass public "overdose" events outside pharmacies to demonstrate there's literally nothing inside the small white pills. One U.S. group, meanwhile, has offered $1 million to anyone who can prove homeopathy works and has challenged major drug retailers such as CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens to stop selling the products.
"Nobody, not even homeopaths have an idea how the remedies work," said Dr. Edzard Ernst, a longtime critic of homeopathy and professor of Complementary Medicine at Peninsula Medical School at the University of Exeter in the U.K.
Few things rile scientific skeptics more than homeopathy, a baffling form of alternative medicine in which patients are given highly diluted and vigorously shaken preparations to trigger the body's natural healing ability. Though it has been used for centuries and some studies have reported positive findings, the practice has no known scientific basis. Most analyses have concluded there's no evidence it works any better than a sugar pill.
Yet homeopathy hasn't just survived the years of scathing criticism; it's prospering. In the U.S., consumer sales of homeopathic treatments reached $870 million in 2009, growing 10 percent over the previous year, according to Nutrition Business Journal estimates.
For Oscillococcinum, sold in 60 countries, estimated annual retail sales in the U.S. are more than $20 million, according to the manufacturer, Boiron. It ranks 49th out of 318 cold and flu brand products that do more than $1 million in sales. Other popular homeopathic products include arnica gel for bruises and strains and diluted zinc remedies for colds.
"Some people feel these products shouldn't work due to the dilution level," said pharmacist Christophe Merville, director of education and pharmacy development for Boiron, the world's leading manufacturer of homeopathic medicines. But he said basic science studies have shown "that highly diluted solutions have biological properties that are different than water."
Ernst, who calls homeopathy the "worst example of faith-based medicine," said that even if the solution is structurally different, it doesn't matter. "After doing my washing up, the water in my sink is very different from pure water," he said. "Yet it would be silly to claim it had therapeutic effects."
Homeopathy is one of the most polarizing forms of complementary and alternative medicine in part because it's based on principles that defy the laws of chemistry and physics. One pillar is the assumption that "like cures like." Chopping a red onion, for example, can make your eyes tear and nose run. Seasonal rhinitis can trigger the same symptoms, so a homeopathic treatment derived from a red onion — Allium cepa — may be a possible remedy.
The second assumption proposes that diluting and violently shaking (or "succussing") the remedies makes them more effective, even if — and this is the part most scientists find hard to swallow — the final preparation no longer contains a single molecule of the original ingredient. The final product usually is a tiny ball of sugar the patient swallows, though homeopathic products also are sold as gels.
The mechanism behind the diluting and shaking remains a mystery. Some say homeopathic medicine may stimulate the body's natural defenses; others suggest homeopathic medicine retains a "memory" of the original substance in the water and the effect is due to nanoparticles.
Regardless, proponents say it shouldn't be discounted simply because it can't be explained. For years, no one knew how aspirin worked. And scientists still don't fully understand the mechanism behind a conventional drug such as Ritalin, argued Dr. Tim Fior, director of the Center for Integral Health in Lombard.
"Homeopathy challenges the belief in the molecular paradigm of medicines," said Fior, who on Wednesday will deliver an introductory lecture on homeopathy to medical students at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "Conventional pharmacology is based on — and profits immensely from — the idea that you can synthesize a molecule, patent it and produce it in bulk and then have a monopoly selling it. Homeopathic medicines are so dilute that they work more according to a biophysical or energetic paradigm."
People often use homeopathy to treat chronic pain, digestive issues, colds, influenza and allergies when they're not getting relief from conventional medicine. Homeopathic practitioners tend to spend more time with patients than regular doctors. The products also appeal to those looking for a "natural" or holistic product or who can't tolerate the side effects of conventional drugs.
Warrenville's Mona Grayson, 35, turned to homeopathy for chronic digestive issues after her insurance expired and she could no longer cover the cost of her conventional treatment: $4,000 every eight weeks. Though she was tolerating her pricey medication, she had concerns about the long-term effects.
After an initial two-hour consultation with Fior, Grayson was given a remedy of phosphorus; she said she hasn't had problems since. "What matters to me is that I feel good," said Grayson, a raw food chef and happiness coach.
But does homeopathy provide anything beyond a placebo effect? Overall, many of the studies are small, of poor quality and funded by homeopathic manufacturers.
Dr. Iris Bell of the University of Arizona, one of the few homeopathy researchers to get federal funding, said the highest quality trials — double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies — have had both negative and positive results. Her own work on fibromyalgia has shown individualized homeopathy did work better than the placebo.
Researchers also have shown that arthritis patients significantly benefited when they received homeopathy in conjunction with conventional treatment over six months. But the study, published in the journal Rheumatology, found the improvement was due to homeopathy's consultation process rather than its remedies.
"It has been a big problem bringing science to homeopathy," said Dr. Josephine Briggs, director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. With only a few exceptions, the center, a federal agency, hasn't funded any studies on homeopathy in the past five years. "On the other hand, the historical tradition has some real insights to treating humans in an individualized way," said Briggs, who said it might be appropriate to study the doctor-patient interaction.
At Merz Apothecary in Chicago, one of the largest homeopathic pharmacies in the country, president and co-owner Anthony Qaiyum summed up the thoughts of many homeopathic supporters. "Ultimately, who gives a damn whether it's scientifically proven if it works?" he said. "There are very valid questions about how it works, but whether it's my mind or the product, it's working and it's working without side effects."
Others see homeopathy as a safe way to complement treatment choices. "We don't always know why things work, but sometimes they do," said Freeport podiatrist Roland Tolliver, who uses it with his children and occasionally recommends arnica for patients with musculoskeletal issues.
"Regular medicine doesn't always work either," he said. "The most important thing is to leave all options open."
Critics say there's a risk in perpetuating the notion that homeopathy is equivalent to modern medicine, in part because people may forgo or delay conventional treatment. Moreover, it's unethical for pharmacists to prescribe placebos, said W. Steven Pray, a professor of pharmacy at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
"You don't need placebos to generate placebo effects," Ernst has written. "Furthermore, if we allow the homoeopathic industry to sell placebos, we must do the same for Big Pharma. Imagine a world in which pharmaceutical companies could sell us placebos for all sorts of conditions just because some patients experience benefits through a placebo response."
A popular homeopathic flu remedy boasts that it comes with no side effects, no drug interactions and won't make you drowsy. But the product also lacks something most people expect to find in their medicine: active ingredients.


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KUKA Showcases RoboSim 4-D Simulator on New Robocoaster Ride at Disney's Epcot
Clinton Township, MI – KUKA Robotics Corporation is pleased to announce the usage of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator ride system as part of a new exhibit at INNOVENTIONS in Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The addition of the RoboSim 4-D Simulator is an expansion of KUKA's current presence at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot. KUKA currently sponsors Rockin' Robots - an interactive exhibit of more than 2,000 square feet which allows guests to conduct a robotic band located in the INNOVENTIONS West building.
"The popularity and expansion of INNOVENTIONS coupled with KUKA's unique and innovative robotic and educational solutions in this exciting entertainment and education project will enhance the KUKA brand presence while strengthening our continued growth in the North American market," stated Stu Shepherd, President of KUKA Robotics Corporation. "We are excited for the opportunity to demonstrate KUKA's unique capabilities in a market that drives progress and interest in learning."
The KUKA RoboSim 4-D Simulator creates a 4-dimensional experience through 3-D robotic motion and "wind," by controlling air movements to stimulate the senses providing a more realistic simulation experience involving high speeds, quick direction changes and different climates for a unique sensation. The appeal of the 2-seat simulator is that it does not fully enclose the rider, but allows the rider's legs and feet to be suspended. The spherical carbon-fiber hood, which is integrated as part of the unique KUKA RoboCoaster ride system, immerses the rider into a true sensory experience by using high definition video combined with stereo sound and controlled air motion.
"The KUKA RoboCoaster programmable robotic ride system utilizes 6 axes and 6 degrees of total directional freedom with synchronized "under the hood" entertainment provides a thrilling experience like no other," commented Shepherd.
The RoboSim 4-D Simulator is TÜV certified and includes safety devices such as smoke alarms and temperature monitoring. Video cameras and microphones allow RoboSim operators to monitor passengers at all times.
Prime venues for use of the RoboCoaster and RoboSim versions include theme parks, science centers, shopping malls, family entertainment centers (FEC), amusement parks, leisure parks, and other motion-enhanced, virtual reality applications.
KUKA Robotics offers a wide range of industrial robots and robot systems, which includes the RoboCoaster. The RoboCoaster operates with a service-proven PC-based control platform. This PC-based robot controller (KR C) benefits from all the advantages of PC technology, such as remote diagnosis, Microsoft Windows interface, field bus, Soft PLC, OPC Server and much more.
About the KUKA Robot Group
KUKA Robotics Corporation along with KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg Germany (part of the KUKA Aktiengesellschaft group of worldwide companies), ranks among the world's leading suppliers of industrial robots and material handling vehicles. Core competencies include the development, production, and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software, linear units, and omniMove™ omni-directional motion platforms. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries as well as multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. KUKA robots range from 5kg to 1300kg payloads, and 635mm to 3900mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA is the market leader in Germany and Europe, and number three in the world. The KUKA Robot Group employs about 2,000 people worldwide. Of these, 1,200 are employed in Germany, either at the KUKA Robot Group headquarters in Augsburg, or at various subsidiaries. In 2008, sales totaled 474 million Euro. Twenty-six subsidiaries provide a presence in the major markets of Europe, the Americas and Asia. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.
About INNOVENTIONS at Epcot
INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Creativity and imagination abound as guests celebrate inspiration and the innovations that improve their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on, interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire. For more information, contact Stacia Wake at [email protected] or visit www.innoventions.disney.com

subset: commoncrawl


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on [<modes>]dcc_chat [<serial#>] [-|^]<match> { <action> }
Triggered by other people's dcc chat commands.
|nickname of the message sender
|message received
If you don't suppress this event, the client will format the message and display it to the screen.
DCC falls outside of the irc protocol, and as such there are no restrictions on automated replies. This creates the potential for uncontrolled looping, so caution is advised.


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The day comes closer. It's just another day. The day before my daddy will have been gone for two years.
It's the day you will have been gone for one year.
I open your blog and stare at it, reading the post you wrote about our last visit over and over again. I smile when you mention me dropping the hood off the fish tank. I smile when I remember our Christmas card addressing. I smile when you talk about the meal you ate.
Then I cry.
Big sobbing, heaving, cries. Missing you like you were just here yesterday.
Some days aren't hard. Most days have happiness. The past week has been filled with birthdays and visits from Nana. But I missed M's birthday, and I could just kick myself. I'm no good at the long distance not quite an aunt thing. I miss your boys.
Moons and planets and stars and books and photos and blogs and scarves and fish and yoga pants and killer ponytails and everything.
It all reminds me of you.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Almost that day
The day comes closer. It's just another day. The day before my daddy will have been gone for two years.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
WHAM. Done.
The therapy. It is tough. I'm often left all thought out, cried out, and tired out before I can open this page and begin to write.
But it's helping.
I'm supposed to be making connections. That's my long term homework. It's a hard assignment for me.
There are reconnections that I'm enjoying, and some that I'm not so much. It's good to get back to a friend you drifted from unnecessarily. A good friend.
But connections are hard for me. Trust is hard for me. Depending on someone is hard for me.
All I really want in life is to feel like I matter to the people I care about. It sounds simple, right? But it's not. There is this widely held notion that I cut off relationships with a cleaver. Just put them down on the chopping block and WHAM. Done.
It's partly true. I did call my ex-husband on Valentine's Day and tell him it was over. A seven year marriage. WHAM. Done.
But it's not like I didn't talk until I was blue in the face before that. It finally got to the point where if I felt like I was any less important, I would just drown.
I do try and tell people what I want or need. I do try and communicate. I think in the past, I've been too worried about pleasing people and not coming off as pushy or demanding. I think that I poorly communicated and then would just finally break. I also think that I had expectations far above what they should have been and then just plowed ahead to make my life meet them, whether the people around fit into them or not. Ahem, pushy.
It's just that there comes a moment when I can't stand one more ounce of pain and disappointment and I break. I lash out at what I see as the cause of the pain, and I break free of it. Not ideal, I know. It's how I have survived so far.
That isn't going to happen with Kevin. I know I matter to him. He shows me. He listens to me. He talks to me. We fight hard. We love each other harder than we fight. It is quite obvious that I am important to him.
And now there are children. There is mattering to someone, and then there is being a mother. There is no kind of being needed like the being needed of being a parent.
These holes I have are being filled. I know that I have to fill them myself too. I have to start mattering enough to myself, whatever that means. Or maybe it's that I have to give myself the right relationships to know that I matter.
I have spent the past several years feeling guilty that I didn't feel sorry enough for broken relationships and things people mistakenly blame on me. I'm done with that. I don't feel guilty. I'm not sorry. I'm incredibly happy. I have finally done what was right.
Just in case I needed affirmation on the decision that I'm done shouldering guilt and letting myself assume that I'm just an asshole - I had a dream.
I was in my old house. There were a lot more rooms than when I actually lived there, and they were full. Every room was full of people I was trying to take care of. I was roaming from room to room just letting people down because I hadn't been able to get whatever food they wanted or they were cold or they wanted a different view or whatever. I ended up back in my living room, drinking and crying when new friends walked in. It was Liz and her husband. They had come down from Brooklyn because they heard I had a great place to stay. She handed me a tissue while her husband went into the kitchen and got some more beers. Then, she looked around and said,
"Shit, Marty. Your old friends suck."
Harsh, I know. But dreams, at least my dreams, are often extremely exaggerated. The sentiment is there, though. It's time to make connections. Connections that I won't feel the need to WHAM and run from. It's way past time.
Labels: Feelers, Friends, Random Thoughts, Things I Should Keep to Myself
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
I'm not going to lie. 2012 sucked giant donkey balls. 2011 wasn't that much better.
Labels: Being Mama, Feelers, My Life, Random Thoughts


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Candy Crush Jelly Level 1413 Tips and Walkthrough Video
Candy Crush Saga Jelly Level 1414 Goals
- Objectives: Find Pufflers around the board.
- Moves: 26
- Difficulty: Hard
Candy Crush Jelly Level 1414 Tips or Cheats:
You have pufflers hidden under the blockers they will move. You should try to break all blockers by play besides them or use special candy. Match special candies with other special candy to break more blocker.


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Investment Updates
Five Big Tax Penalties To Avoid At All Costs
Published Monday, March 28, 2016 at: 7:00 AM EDT
Taxes are a necessary evil, but you don't want to make matters worse by paying unnecessary federal tax penalties. Here are five to avoid:
1. Not taking required minimum distributions. This is the granddaddy of tax penalties. After you reach age 70½, you must begin taking annual "required minimum distributions" (RMDs) from your tax-advantaged retirement plans (unless you're still working) and from traditional IRAs. (For the year you turn 70½, you can postpone the payout until April 1 of the following year, but that will require you to take two withdrawals in the same calendar year.) The RMD is based on your age—entered into a life expectancy table—and your account balances at the end of the year in which you turn 70½.
Failing to take RMDs can result in a 50% penalty tax on the amount that should have been withdrawn (on top of the regular income tax you owe on the distribution). Unless you can show reasonable cause for missing an RMD, you'll be stuck with this penalty.
2. Making early withdrawals. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may be penalized for withdrawing funds from your qualified plans and IRAs too soon. Generally, a 10% penalty tax applies, in addition to the regular tax you owe on the distribution, unless you've already reached age 59½ or the payout is because of death or disability. However, the tax law provides several exceptions to the early withdrawal penalty, such as payments used for deductible medical expenses.
Another key exception is available for substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs). If you take SEPPs over your life expectancy, or over the life expectancy of you and a beneficiary or beneficiaries, there's no penalty if those payments continue for at least five years or until you reach age 59½, whichever is longer.
3. Not reporting income from foreign accounts. Your tax return may not be the only document you're required to file each year. If you have financial interests in foreign banks totaling more than $10,000 at any time during the year, you must report the account information to the IRS using the FBAR form (short for Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts).
Beginning with the 2016 tax year, FBARs have to be filed by the tax return due date, plus extensions. (Previously, the deadline was June 30 of the year following the year of the foreign account activities, and no extensions were allowed.) The penalty for failing to make the filing is severe—a fine of up to $250,000 and a prison sentence of up to five years can be assessed for a willful violation. Other penalties may be imposed for providing false information.
4. Not having health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, most people must have health insurance or must pay a "shared responsibility payment." For 2017, the amount of that payment is equal to the greater of 2.5% of your annual household income or $695 per person for the year ($347.50 per child under 18), up to a maximum of $2,085 per family.
This penalty kicks in when you, your spouse, or a dependent go without coverage for more than three months, with certain exceptions. Consult with your tax and financial advisors to see whether you qualify for a premium tax credit or an exception to the penalty.
5. Missing the deadline for your tax return. Generally, if you don't file your tax return on time, or if you fail to pay the tax you owe by the tax return due date (even when you receive an extension for filing your return), you'll be assessed a penalty.
The penalty for filing late is 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that a tax return is late. It begins accruing after the tax-filing due date and can't exceed 25% of your unpaid taxes. If you don't pay your taxes by the tax deadline, you normally face a penalty equal to 0.5% of the unpaid taxes. This applies for each month or part of a month after the due date and starts accruing the day after the tax-filing due date.
Again, the six-month filing extension, which is automatic if you request it, is not an extension for paying your taxes. You still must make a reasonable estimate and pay that amount.
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|By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-6-135.balt.east.verizon.net - 22.214.171.124) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 8:56 am: Edit Post
El Salvador RPCV Michael J. Friel dies
He worked as a carpenter in the building trades in the Denver area. He was a veteran of the US Army during the Vietnam War. He also served for 2 years in the Peace Corps in San Salvador following his military service.
El Salvador RPCV Michael J. Friel dies
Friel, Michael J.
The Denver Post
October 9, 2005
FRIEL, MICHAEL J. Michael J. Friel, age 54, of Denver, CO, died at the Denver V.A. Medical Center on Friday, October 7, 2005. He was born in Amboy, Illinois on December 26, 1950. He worked as a carpenter in the building trades in the Denver area. He was a veteran of the US Army during the Vietnam War. He also served for 2 years in the Peace Corps in San Salvador following his military service. He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister, Lillian Eisenberg. He is survived by 2 sisters, Ellen (Albert) Figueroa of Akron, CO, and Marla (Jan) Freil of Dixon, IL. Memorial Mass will be on Monday Oct. 10, 2005 7:00 PM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 1900 California St., Denver, CO. Burial of cremains will be at a later date in St. Patrick Cemetery in Maytown, IL. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Samaritan House for the Homeless.
When this story was posted in October 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Read the stories and leave your comments.
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
'Celebration of Service' a major success
The Peace Corps Fund's 'Celebration of Service' on September 29 in New York City was a major success raising approximately $100,000 for third goal activities. In the photo are Maureen Orth (Colombia); John Coyne (Ethiopia) Co-founder of the Peace Corps Fund; Caroline Kennedy; Barbara Anne Ferris (Morocco) Co-founder; Former Senator Harris Wofford, member of the Advisory Board. Read the story here.
PC apologizes for the "Kasama incident"
The District Commissioner for the Kasama District in Zambia issued a statement banning Peace Corps activities for 'grave' social misconduct and unruly behavior for an incident that occurred on September 24 involving 13 PCVs. Peace Corps said that some of the information put out about the incident was "inflammatory and false." On October 12, Country Director Davy Morris met with community leaders and apologized for the incident. All PCVs involved have been reprimanded, three are returning home, and a ban in the district has since been lifted.
Military Option sparks concerns
The U.S. military is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. Read the results of our poll among RPCVs. Latest: Congressman John Kline introduces legislation to alter the program to remove the Peace Corps as an option for completing an individual's military enlistment requirement.
Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in danger
When the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger.
Top Stories: October 10, 2005
Carl Pope says the looting of America has only begun 2 Oct
Report of PCV Misconduct in Zambia 7 Oct
Chic Dambach speaks in Oklahoma 6 Oct
Murphy to give papers to Heinz museum 6 Oct
Mike Honda speaks out on Katrina 5 Oct
Kinky Friedman could be the next governor of Texas 5 Oct
Peter McPherson urges new nuclear weapon designs 5 Oct
Doyle and Green in dead heat for Wisconsin Governor 5 Oct
NPCA Membership Directory ready in late November 5 Oct
GOP hopefuls avoiding Taft 4 Oct
Ask not 4 Oct
Russell Carollo wins journalism prize for "The Toll of War" 4 Oct
Mark Gearan says provision was a mistake 4 Oct
Mike Tidwell says Bayou has been sinking for years 3 Oct
Carl Pope writes: Preparing for Global Warming 3 Oct
Director Vasquez Meets with Volunteers in Gulf Coast 3 Oct
John McCain's call to service 3 Oct
Joshua Berman wins Lowell Thomas Travel Writing Award 2 Oct
Operation Offset proposes freeze in Peace Corps Funding 1 Oct
Returned Volunteers respond to Hurricane Katrina
First and foremost, Give. Then volunteer with the Crisis Corps. Carol Bellamy says "In situations such as this one, money is needed the most" and added that Hurricane Katrina's impact on New Orleans is comparable to last year's tsunami. Thailand RPCV Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International has committed an initial $250,000 in cash to assist hurricane victims. Mayor Tom Murphy (RPCV Paraguay) says Pittsburgh is ready to embrace refugees from devastated areas. Brazil RPCV Robert Backus is among the first Vermont doctors to volunteer to travel to Louisiana to treat victims. Latest: FEMA requests RPCVs to assist in recovery efforts through the Crisis Corps and the Peace Corps hopes to send 400 RPCVs to the Gulf Coast for short term assignments to assist victims with their applications for federal aid.
The Peace Corps Library
Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 30,000 index entries in 500 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today. If you have a web site, support the "Peace Corps Library" and link to it today.
Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong
170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.


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On Syria, Obama faces questions on Congress' role
By JULIE PACE
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama faces a familiar question as he contemplates airstrikes in Syria: Should Congress have a say in his decision?
Just last summer Obama was barreling toward strikes in Syria when he abruptly announced that he first wanted approval from congressional lawmakers. But Congress balked at Obama's request, and the strikes were eventually scrapped.
This time around, the White House is suggesting it may not be necessary to get a sign-off from Congress.
While cautioning that Obama has made no final decisions, officials say there is a difference between last year's effort to attack Syria's government in retaliation for chemical weapons use and a bombing campaign against Islamic State militants threatening Americans in the region.
Earlier this month, Obama authorized U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq.


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Series: #2 in the Legacy series
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Pages: 512
Received: ARC from publisher, via NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
From Goodreads:
An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...
Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.
Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....
Um, no.
The writing is pretty much exactly the same as the first book. Lots of useless information and sentences that say in twenty words what could easily have been said in ten. This frustrates me and I sigh about it an awful lot, but it's clearly not a dealbreaker for me since I keep reading these books. If you managed the writing in the first book, then you'll manage the writing in Allegiance.
YES! Sorry ladies, but if you're Team Narian, be prepared for a distinct LACK of Narian. He doesn't even appear in any significant role until the final showdown. But don't lose hope, your boy wins in the end. *grumble* (Read that spoiler if you want to know which guy wins the love triangle).
I loved it! (You may remember my hatred with the power of 1000 suns for Narian? Yeah, I didn't miss him very much). I am 100% Team Steldor and my appreciation for him only grew after Allegiance with everything he went through. He showed real maturity, putting his duty ahead of his personal wants and emotions. And oh my lord does that man have patience. I can't even count how many times I wanted to reach into the book and hug him and offer to be his queen instead of Alera.
London is always off doing something covert (and, really, don't his stealthy secret missions account for at least a quarter of his hotness?), but don't worry, he still gets a ton of page time.
When reading Legacy, I was really curious about London's mysterious past. Thankfully Cayla Kluver finally dished in Allegiance and I got all the dirty details. Rarely do Big Reveals like that meet my expectations, but I have to say this one satisfied me.
Allegiance can be roughly divided into two parts. The first part is very similar in tone, style, and pacing to that of Legacy. The pacing was pretty slow and not much happened in terms of action. Mostly Alera pined for Narian, cursed Steldor, and tried to exercise her new role as queen with petulant attempts at independence. Blah, blah, blah, basically.
The funny thing is that I actually wasn't bored and I never considered DNF-ing. I would even go so far as saying I zipped through it. While it's true that not much actually happens and Alera continues to annoy me, the side characters are all wonderful.
Of course I also liked all the focus on Steldor. Not only that, but Cannan (Steldor's father) becomes a much more involved character and yet another contender for my heart.
The second part is where the action really picks up. I'm talking WAR. Yes!! I was positively giddy with this turn of events (even though it was all stupid Alera's stupid fault). Cayla Kluver did a fantastic job really driving home the bleakness and utter devastation of the war. She made me cry and rage and wail in despair that NO THAT CANNOT HAPPEN PLEASE NO!
She also took things in a direction I never expected and don't think I've ever seen an author take. That scored her major originality points. Seriously, I loved it.
The only thing that brought down all of this awesome was the fact that Alera was narrating. Now, this isn't ALL because I dislike Alera. The fact is, in her world women don't really do anything. At all.
So while all of the male characters (and my gosh, there was practically a harem of hot male characters getting all sexy and gorgeous with this whole war-torn-brothers-in-arms thing), I was stuck in Alera's useless head ineptly heating up porridge and feeling empowered because she hacked off her hair. She also sleeps a lot.
Whoop-de-do. I could have been in a battle! *STOMPS FOOT* I was SERIOUSLY gypped.
Ugh, Alera.
Everything else I could give a pass, but Alera makes my stars shrivel up and die. I want to offer her a sleepover party invitation just so I can then snatch it back and dance around like a tiny little meanie gleefully crowing "SIKE! None for you! Hehe! None for you!"
She's just...she's dumber than a box of rocks, to put it mildly. And so totally childish. If she were the queen of my kingdom, I think I'd puke with fear. Every single bad thing that happens to her kingdom is the direct result of some utter piece of stupidity brought to them courtesy of Alera. And, of course, she doesn't see it AT ALL. She gets haughty and blames everyone else.
And did I mention she's selfish? Oh my word. While Steldor shoves aside almost every personal desire he harbors that may in some way conflict with his ability to properly run his kingdom, Alera does the complete opposite. All she ever thinks about is what SHE wants and how everyone should worship and obey HER and how she'd better get HER way or she'll do something even dumber than before.
Plus, the girl's priorities are all kinds of messed up. We're in the middle of WAR, tons of her countrymen dead, more dying, lots of very bad things happening, and what does she focus on? Whether or not Narian still loves her. Dude, REALLY??
If it weren't for Alera, I would Special Shelf this book. Cayla Kluver may take a while to tell her story, but what a story it is! That surprise twist in the latter half was fantastic. And the men. Oh my oh my, I can't even count how many attractive men there are in this book. That alone makes me want to read the final book.
About that third book. When I finished Allegiance I wasn't sure I wanted to continue on with the series. It ended really well and I couldn't imagine what would happen in the third book except a super annoying romance between Alera and Narian. *barf*
But then Cindy told me there was a prologue for book 3 included at the end of Allegiance and, after reading that prologue, I can't wait for book three! I'm even holding out a teeny tiny bit of hope that some of the guys will get a shot at narrating! (*please please please*)
Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key
Feel free to ask in the comments!
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Associated Research InstitutionsCopyright: © RWTH Aachen
There is a long history of collaboration in science and research between RWTH and its affiliated institutes and the Aachen Fraunhofer Institutes, especially when it comes to the transfer of research results into real-world applications. In its internationally recognized Competence Centers, RWTH and the Helmholtz Association run multiple joint projects.
The present web pages provide an overview of various types of research institution that RWTH Aachen University traditionally has close ties with.
Affiliated Institutes
Affiliated Institutes are research institutions that are legally, financially and organizationally independent from RWTH Aachen. The specific details of the collaboration are set out in an agreements between the institute and the University. The status of Affiliated Institute is granted by the Rectorate of RWTH Aachen University.
Fraunhofer Institutes
The Aachen Fraunhofer Institutes are traditionally very closely linked to RWTH Aachen. The heads of the institutes also hold chairs at RWTH Aachen. As a result, research results are directly transferred into lecture content. In a joint effort, researchers from both institutions create the technology of tomorrow, develop products, and improve processes.
Helmholtz Collaborations
RWTH Aachen collaborates with the Helmholtz Association and various Helmholtz Centers on numerous projects. The Ernst Ruska Centre, for example, provides researchers from science and industry with access to the most powerful electron miscroscopes of our time. The so-called Virtual Institute is a funding instrument of the Helmholtz Association which is used by universities to establish internationally renowned centers of excellence in key research areas.
Johannes-Rau-Forschungsgemeinschaft e. V
The JRF is the research association of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The non-profit association was founded in 2014 as an umbrella organization for 15 state-supported, legally independent, non-university and non-profit research institutes.


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Bulgarian Scientist: Chocolate is Sweet Salvation
Need another reason to eat chocolate? A Bulgarian scientist who reinvented her life in Minnesota says that eating fine, responsibly raised cacao can save the world.
By Kim Ode
Star Tribune
Slow down. Sit on your hands, if you must. First, just look at the piece of chocolate before you. Consider its particular shade. An earthy umber? A glossier Hershey?
Now bring it to your nose. Rub the chocolate and ponder. Is that vanilla? Raisins? Hay? You may wonder how in the world your brain is saying "hay." Patience.
Next, snap the morsel in half. Did the sound surprise you? Has anything filched from the kids' Halloween bags ever cracked like that?
OK, now put a bit on your tongue. Slow down. Let it melt. Close your eyes and think of nothing but chocolate melting in your mouth. Only that.
This is the flavor of revolution.
That's what Anna Bonavita says, at least, and why not believe her? She may have more chocolate.
Bonavita is the champion of what she calls a chocolate revolution that's happening in our midst and, indeed, must happen if we are to preserve the Earth, our health and our peace of mind.
If that sounds a little over the top, so is the story of how Bonavita moved from a career in microelectronics behind the Berlin Wall to leading yoga students in Minneapolis through the finer points of a Trinitario chocolate with 75 percent cacao content.
"We are here to experience pleasure, not just to suffer," Bonavita said in a Bulgarian accent more musical than you might expect. Yet for most of her life, pleasure was an afterthought. Pursuing a career in science, she moved to Russia at 19 to get a doctorate in microelectronics. Ten years later, she returned to work in Bulgaria, only to discover, with the toppling of the Berlin Wall, the superiority of science being done in the West.
"We were in open waters," she said of the mixed feelings of freedom and futility. She came to Minnesota to work at Seagate Technology but felt a growing restlessness. "I wanted a purpose bigger than me," she said. So eventually she and her Italian husband, Massimo, helped to found the Italian Cultural Center in Minneapolis in 2006, a nonprofit whose language classes enable the center to stage an annual Italian film festival (this year's is March 30-April 1.)
Then in 2009, she was laid off from Seagate, a casualty of restructuring. Again at sea, she decided to visit Italy, ending up in Romagna, in the north region, where on a damp, cold-to-your-bones evening, she decided, on a whim, to attend a chocolate tasting.
Questioning her sanity
"The chocolates I tasted were nothing I had experienced before," Bonavita said. In short order, she learned about chocolate's role in the world economy, its role in the fight to preserve and restore rain forests, its role in medical discoveries on the beneficial role of antioxidants. She began educating herself about some of the 600 flavor notes in chocolate -- wine, by comparison, has 200 -- by starting each morning with a chocolate-tasting, before her palate had been compromised by coffee, or even toothpaste.
Eventually, she met Gianluca Franzoni, an Italian who makes Domori chocolates -- a level of chocolate that inspires critiques such as having "extraordinary roundness and great persistence." He's also a rock star in the sustainability movement, in which cacao growers in Central and South America are allies in the fight to maintain biodiversity in the face of lumber, mining and oil interests. Bonavita's path seemed clear, albeit ill-advised.
"Sometimes I asked myself, 'Are you insane?' At a time when people are watching their budgets, I'm pushing expensive chocolate," she said. "But I have to do it if we are going to change into a better world."
She, Massimo and a friend, Ella Chamba, started Chocolate Bonavita in 2010, offering tastings and classes at the Italian Cultural Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., and even a tasting in tandem with a yoga class, believing that a calm mind is most receptive to the nuances of fine chocolate.
Chocolates are for sale on the center's website, www. chocolatebonavita.com, where a 1.75-ounce bar of the award-winning Porcelana goes for . Goals include a retail store and development of a curriculum for chocolate sommeliers, in the vein of those for wine or olive oil.
Heart health, brain health
People love chocolate. And while U.S. citizens ate more than 3.6 billion pounds of it in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, we are mere amateurs when compared with Europe, which has 16 of the top 20 chocolate-eating countries.
All predictions point to rising consumption, partly thanks to studies about chocolate's health benefits. The Harvard School of Public Health, in a survey of 65-year-old men, found that eating moderate amounts of chocolate was a factor in prolonging their lives.
Cacao is rich in dietary copper, magnesium and iron, and dark chocolate has been found to lower blood pressure, along with being a source of antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of developing cancer or heart disease, according to Boston University's School of Medicine and the German Heart Journal.
The most recent, and perhaps more controversial, study was published last month in the journal Nature, in which obesity researchers at the University of California argued that sugar is so perilous to public health that it should be regulated as a controlled substance in order to reduce overall consumption. Far from hearing that as bad news, cheerleaders for fine chocolate heralded the findings as another ally. Chocolate with high cacao content actually contains very little sugar, Bonavita said.
Yet it's clear that Bonavita's passion is less about health and more about a belief that chocolate is good for our brains and for the planet. (Ten percent of Bonavita's profits go to the Rainforest Rescue program.)
"The major problem in our culture is that we're constantly hurrying, so stressed out, even when we are in the presence of something exceptional," she said. "This is where I believe we women can be a force in the food revolution," whether in sustainable agriculture or in teaching children how to make wise choices. "Chocolate is just a great example of the need for change."
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There are so many different free blogging websites and platforms that are currently available for people and professionals alike to use in order to establish and maintain an effective online presence. Two of the most popular platforms that are available, however, are Blogger and WordPress. When it comes to determining which blogging platform needs to be used, though, there are several key areas that need to be considered – including the benefits that come with their respective free services, the registration processes, the overall blog development process and effective blog management practices.
Free Blogging Features
WordPress offers a wide variety of blogging features for free that members can use almost immediately after they have registered for their accounts. For instance, account owners can get access to over 3GB of storage that can be used for media, posts and other types of online content. There is also a social media tool that can be used to connect the blogs directly to these networks. For reporting and analytical purposes, you will have access to free statistics. Users can also enjoy immediate access to this platform through a wide range of different mobile devices.
On the other hand, Blogger truly does not have as many free features and capabilities that are available for their platform. You will still be able to have free access to a custom domain and explore a wide range of premium upgrades for no additional charge, but WordPress truly does win in this particular area.
The Registration Process
In order to enjoy the blogging services and features of WordPress, a user can register with any e-mail address, username, password or standard URL. Blogger, on the other hand, is a Google service so you must have a Google account in order to register for this service. WordPress will even encourage you to purchase a premium domain when you are registering for your blogging site even though it is not required. WordPress is also able to defeat Blogger when it comes to wide variety of different themes and styles that can easily and quickly be selected in order to separate your blog from all of the other blogs that may be posted and published within your market or niche.
Blog Management
When it comes to the overall management of the blogs that you post and publish within Blogger and WordPress, both blogging platforms provide users with centralized areas that allow them to manage their blogs effectively. Both platforms also deliver visually appealing and user-friendly control panels and settings that can easily be modified to meet the personal preferences of their registered users.
However, WordPress has been able to draw a much larger crowd in this regard because they have become widely known for the high-quality blue themes and tabulated layouts that make it rather simple and easy to navigate quickly through these panels. Blogger has a more user-friendly design that allows people to quickly compose new blog postings and titles within a few clicks here and keystrokes there. However, many consumers and critics agree that the WordPress dashboard is able to exhibit a high extent of simplicity and efficiency that has made it the solid choice between both platforms for many years. This is primarily because of the fact that the overall interface has a timeless design that has not needed to be changed in order to maintain a relatively high level of efficiency over the years.
And the Winner Is…
Between WordPress and Blogger, it is evidently clear that the very best blogging platform that you should use for your personal or professional blog is WordPress. Blogger does have its own advantages and benefits, but WordPress is able to defeat their Google competitors when it counts the most.


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'The Simpsons' Star Marcia Wallace Passes Away
Marcia Wallace, whom many know best as the voice of Mrs. Edna Krabappel on the long-running Fox animated series 'The Simpsons,' has passed away at the age of 70. Wallace, who was also starred on the classic sitcom 'The Bob Newhart Show,' died just one week before her 71st birthday due to complications from breast cancer.
Marcia Wallace got her start in Hollywood with guest appearances on 'Bewitched' and 'The Brady Bunch.' From 1972 to 1978, she portrayed Carol Kester Bondurant on 'The Bob Newhart Show' with Bob Newhart. She also appeared on the short-lived Comedy Central series 'That's My Bush!' and had a recurring role on 'The Young and the Restless,' highlighting her diversity as an actress.
But fans will remember her best as the voice of Edna Krabappel, Bart Simpson's feisty, no-nonsense teacher on 'The Simpsons.' Wallace voiced the beloved character since 1990, providing us with 23 years of her trademark, sarcastic "Ha!"
Though it was recently announced that a character that is played by an actor/actress who won an Emmy for the role would be dying on the show, Wallace's passing has nothing to do with that creative decision.
According to Deadline, Wallace passed away last night due to complications from breast cancer, confirmed by friend Cathryn Michon, who recently directed Wallace in the upcoming film 'Muffin Top: A Love Story.' The film will be Wallace's final performance, appearing alongside her son, Michael Hawley.


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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to avoid using 3.5-oz packages of sindoor sold under the "Swad" brand name imported by Raja Foods LLC of Skokie, Ill., USA, because the product is said to contain high levels of lead. Although the product was not intended to be sold for food use, its labeling is unclear and implies that it may be used as food. The Illinois Department of Public Health has reportedly confirmed two cases of lead poisoning in consumers who used the product as an ingredient in home-cooked meals.
Other uses of the product, including as a cosmetic, could also be dangerous due to the high lead levels. According to the FDA, lead can be toxic to all humans but due to the risks it poses to a developing nervous system, women of childbearing age, women who are pregnant and their unborn children, and young children should be especially cautious and limit their exposure to lead.
The FDA cautions that consumers who have consumed this product should consult his or her health care provider immediately. At least 280 packages of sindoor were distributed to grocery stores specializing in Indian foods in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, reported the FDA.
The front label of the bag states "SWAD BEST TASTE IN TOWN SINDOOR"; "FOR RECIPE IDEAS VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.RAJAFOODS.COM"; and "PRODUCT OF INDIA." The back label states "Imported and Distributed by: Raja Foods, 8110, N. St. Louis Avenue, Skokie, ILL 60076," with a UPC of: 0 51179 42236 0 and may have a sticker stating "NONEDIBLE." The packages of sindoor can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-800-7923 x 2860. Consumers should report adverse events related to this product to MedWatch, the FDA's voluntary reporting program, at: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm, call 1-800-332-1088, fax 1-800-332-0178, mail MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.
As a cosmetic, sindoor, a reddish powder, is used by married Hindu women and some Sikh women, according to reference.com. During the marriage ceremony, the groom applies sindoor to the parting in the bride's hair to show that she is now a married woman. Subsequent sindoor is applied by the wife as part of her dressing routine.
Most women purchase commercial sindoor powder of which a traditional component is powdered red lead. Alum and turmeric also are sometimes ingredients. While sindoor was the ancient name given to the very toxic, red mercury oxide, as a cosmetic its most common base is turmeric powder that becomes red when mixed with lime juice or lime powder (i.e., a calcium compound), moistened in water or with alum, iodine and camphor; or with oil and sea shell powder (calcium salts); or aguru, chandan and kasturi, adds reference.com. It can also be made of sandalwood mixed with musk, or from a mixture of saffron ground with kusumbha flower.
National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) color experts, also according to reference.com, report that in ancient times, sindoor was made with a special type of red marble stone, covered with turmeric and a little oil that was left undisturbed for a few days, after which it turned into a red powder. However, these traditional preparations have long been forgotten and most modern cosmetic product manufacturers produce sindoor from synthetic materials, lead, zinc and industrial dyes. It is also called red lead (Pb3O4).


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Galaxies learned to "go green" early in the history of the universe, continuously recycling immense volumes of hydrogen gas and heavy elements to build successive generations of stars stretching over billions of years.
This ongoing recycling keeps galaxies from emptying their "fuel tanks" and therefore stretches out their star-forming epoch to over 10 billion years. However, galaxies that ignite a rapid firestorm of star birth can blow away their remaining fuel, essentially turning off further star-birth activity.
This conclusion is based on a series of Hubble Space Telescope observations that flexed the special capabilities of its comparatively new Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) to detect otherwise invisible mass in the halo of our Milky Way and a sample of more than 40 other galaxies. Data from large ground-based telescopes in Hawaii, Arizona, and Chile also contributed to the studies by measuring the properties of the galaxies.
This invisible mass is made up of normal matter -- hydrogen, helium, and heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and neon -- as opposed to dark matter that is an unknown exotic particle pervading space.
The results are being published in three papers in the November 18 issue of Science magazine. The leaders of the three studies are Nicolas Lehner of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.; Jason Tumlinson of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md.; and Todd Tripp of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
The Key Findings
The color and shape of a galaxy is largely controlled by gas flowing through an extended halo around it. All modern simulations of galaxy formation find that they cannot explain the observed properties of galaxies without modeling the complex accretion and "feedback" processes by which galaxies acquire gas and then later expel it after processing by stars. The three studies investigated different aspects of the gas-recycling phenomenon.
"Our results confirm a theoretical suspicion that galaxies expel and can recycle their gas, but they also present a fresh challenge to theoretical models to understand these gas flows and integrate them with the overall picture of galaxy formation," Tumlinson says.
The team used COS observations of distant stars to demonstrate that a large mass of clouds is falling through the giant corona halo of our Milky Way, fueling its ongoing star formation. These clouds of ionized hydrogen reside within 20,000 light-years of the Milky Way disk and contain enough material to make 100 million suns. Some of this gas is recycled material that is continually being replenished by star formation and the explosive energy of novae and supernovae, which kicks chemically enriched gas back into the halo; the remainder is gas being accreted for the first time. The infalling gas from this vast reservoir fuels the Milky Way with the equivalent of about a solar mass per year, which is comparable to the rate at which our galaxy makes stars. At this rate the Milky Way will continue making stars for another billion years by recycling gas into the halo and back onto the galaxy. "We now know where is the missing fuel for galactic star formation," Lehner concludes. "We now have to find out its birthplace."
One goal of the studies was to study how other galaxies like our Milky Way accrete mass for star making. But instead of widespread accretion, the team found nearly ubiquitous halos of hot gas surrounding vigorous star-forming galaxies. These galaxy halos, rich in heavy elements, extend as much as 450,000 light-years beyond the visible portions of their galactic disks. The surprise was discovering how much mass in heavy elements is far outside a galaxy. COS measured 10 million solar masses of oxygen in a galaxy's halo, which corresponds to about 1 billion solar masses of gas -- as much as in the entire interstellar medium between stars in a galaxy's disk. They also found that this gas is nearly absent from galaxies that have stopped forming stars. This is evidence that widespread outflows, rather than accretion, determine a galaxy's fate. "We didn't know how much mass was there in these gas halos, because we couldn't do these observations until we had COS," Tumlinson says. "This stuff is a huge component of galaxies but can't be seen in any images."
He points out that because so much of the heavy elements has been ejected into the halos instead of sticking around in the galaxies, the formation of planets, life, and other things requiring heavy elements could have been delayed in these galaxies.
The COS data also demonstrate that those galaxies forming stars at a very rapid rate, perhaps a hundred solar masses per year, can drive 2-million-degree gas very far out into intergalactic space at speeds of up to 2 million miles per hour. That's fast enough for the gas to escape forever and never refuel the parent galaxy. While hot plasma "winds" from galaxies have been known for some time, the new COS observations reveal that hot outflows extend to much greater distances than previously thought and can carry a tremendous amount of mass out of a galaxy. Some of the hot gas is moving more slowly and could eventually be recycled. The Hubble observations show how gas-rich star-forming spiral galaxies can evolve to quiescent elliptical galaxies that no longer have star formation. "So not only have we found that star-forming galaxies are pervasively surrounded by large halos of hot gas," says Tripp, "we have also observed that hot gas in transit -- we have caught the stuff in the process of moving out of a galaxy and into intergalactic space."
The light emitted by this hot plasma is invisible, so the researchers used COS to detect the presence of the gas by the way it absorbs certain colors of light from background quasars. The brightest objects in the universe, quasars are the brilliant cores of active galaxies that contain rapidly accreting supermassive black holes. The quasars serve as distant lighthouse beacons that shine through the gas-rich "fog" of hot plasma encircling galaxies. At ultraviolet wavelengths, COS is sensitive to absorption from many ionized heavy elements, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and neon. COS's high sensitivity allows many galaxies that happen to lie in front of the much more distant quasars to be studied. The ionized heavy elements serve as proxies for estimating how much mass is in a galaxy's halo.
"Only with COS can we now address some of the most crucial questions that are at the forefront of extragalactic astrophysics," Tumlinson says.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to receive my order?
Shipping time varies among orders as it depends on the shipping method selected at checkout.
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We do offer refunds on damaged merchandise or orders that failed to arrive. We DO NOT accept medication returns, since the federal law prohibits this. In case you did not receive an order, you may request a refund or ask that we reship your order once again. This we will be happy to do free of charge.
How do I order medications here?
All you have to do is add your chosen items to your cart. When you're ready to checkout, we will ask you to fill out a short medical history statement. Once the physician who reviews your statement deems your order safe and plausible, he or she will approve your order and you will receive the ordered medication(s) at your provided shipping address.
Do you provide a list of possible side effects for each medication listed here?
Although we do provide relevant medical information on each medication at our store, you should know that medication effectiveness may vary from one individual to another. The information on this site is for informational purposes only, and may not include all possible precautions, side effects, uses and effects of each listed medication. Therefore, the information on this site is not intended to serve as a substitute for medical information and/or advice and/or diagnosis provided by your physician or medical professional. You should always carefully read all product packaging and labels and speak to your doctor before taking any medication, whether prescribed or non-prescribed. Dietary supplements are products which have not yet been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration, and therefore do not constitute a definite agent of diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease, illness or condition.
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Yes, we guarantee it. Our offered inventory of medications is the same as the one you would buy from your local pharmacy. Everything is FDA-approved, both generic and brand-name meds. We obtain these medications from trusted global manufacturers that follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in their manufacturing process.
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Yes, it is. Each country has its own laws pertaining to ordering medications on the Web, and this is a regulated field. In the US, a limit is set by the FDA allowing the import of a 3-month personal supply of prescription pharmaceuticals.
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This is merely an aesthetic difference due to trademark issues. Generic pills are chemically identical to their brand-name counterparts, and are produced according to the same FDA standards.
What does "generic medication" mean, and is it less effective than the brand-name med?
When it comes to legitimate, FDA-approved medications, there are two main categories. The first is the brand-name medication, the product of expensive and long research and development invested by major pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. Once a new brand-name medication enters the market, the manufacturing company secures that medication in a patent for several years, during which no other company may produce the same medication. Once the patent of the brand-name medication has expired, the production of the medication becomes open to other pharmaceutical companies which may produce and sell the exact same medication as a generic version. Generic medications contain the exact same chemical formula, dosage and active ingredients as the brand-name medication, only the former may not carry the same name as the trademarked, brand-name medication. The end result is a generic form of the original medication which has the exact same effect as the brand-name one, but is usually offered for much less.
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Unless specified otherwise, we ship all orders for FREE worldwide* via Registered Airmail, and your signature is required upon delivery. You will see your order's shipping method on the checkout page, next to your order's total (expedited shipping options are also available). *Excludes a small number of selected items.
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We are not an actual pharmacy per se, but a platform connecting between customers and drugstores. As such, we are able to cut out the costs that usually affect standard businesses. This means we are able to offer real FDA approved generic and brand-name pharmaceuticals, the exact same ones you find at your local pharmacy, for much less than retail cost. Another reason why we're able to offer such low prices is that we buy genuine generic medications directly from global manufacturers outside the US, where manufacturing costs are much lower than in the United States. This way we're able to pass on the savings to our customers.
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There are a few reasons why our store is the best choice when it comes to buying your medications; First, we offer the finest quality of in-demand medications, both brand-name and generic, all at discount prices. This means you save considerably compared to buying the same products at your local pharmacy. Second, our inventory is one of the largest online, so you will find every health product you're looking for, right here on this site. Another reason why buying your medications through us is superior to other places is that we offer free global shipping on 99% of all items. We guarantee a safe delivery right to your door!


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OSI letter of comment on W3C's proposed RAND policy
Subject: OSI letter of comment on W3C's proposed RAND policy
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 14:20:13 -0400
The Open Source Initiative has considered the World Wide Web
Consortium's Patent Policy Framework working draft at
and the W3C's Response to Public Comments at
The recent public disclosure of these plans to endorse patented Web
standards has ignited a major public controversy. The Open Source
Initiative's charter requires us to speak out for the interests of
open- source developers, and this statement is intended to be our
contribution to the debate.
Recommendation for Change in the RAND Proposal
We believe that there is merit to many portions of this proposal. In
particular, we unhesitatingly endorse the patent disclosure
requirements in section 7. One does not need to settle the general
question of software patents to affirm that all developers (and not
merely open-source developers) are entitled to protection from
unethical "submarine patents".
We further endorse in a general sense the existence of well-defined tests
for determining whether a proposed W3C standard meets the W3C's transparency
requirements (sections 4 and 5). Clarity on these questions will better serve
web developers and the public, and the W3C is to be applauded for attempting
to document and regularize its procedures.
However, we must reject the specifics of the proposal for a RAND ("Reasonable
and Non-Discriminatory) Licensing mode. Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 6 are
unexceptionable; clause 4 is fair; but clause 5 "may be conditioned on
payment of reasonable, non-discriminatory royalties or fees" is unacceptable
as written.
While opinions may differ on whether the so-called "RAND" policy with
clause 5 is "reasonable", there can be no question but that it is
discriminatory. Clause 5 would discriminate against open-source
developers, who operate in small volunteer project groups and have
neither the wherewithal to pay license fees nor the shelter of a
fictive legal entity with which a license might be negotiated.
OSI suggests that the proposed clause 5 can be rescued by adding a
suitable interpretation of "non-discriminatory". The language in the
State of Maryland UCITA exempting open-source projects from
warranty requirements provides a suitable model:
The payment of royalties under a RAND license shall be waived
for any licensor of a computer program that is provided under
a license that does not impose a license fee for the right to
the source code, to make copies, to modify, and to distribute
the computer program.
This interpretation of "non-discriminatory" would leave patent-holders
the option of continuing to collect license fees from implementors
with plans to charge for the secrecy of their software.
Principles and the Larger Context
The above is a narrow technical prescription, but there are larger
issues here. The OSI would be derelict in its duty if we failed to
address those. We stand with those who see the RAND proposal as an
invasive and corrupting attempt to hijack the standards process, to
tilt the Web's relatively level playing field in favor of players with
legions of lawyers and lots of money. That other standards
organizations who should have known better (such as the IETF) have let
this particular camel's nose under the tent is no excuse for the W3C
to repeat that error.
RAND discriminates not merely against open-source developers, but for
entrenched monopolies and against the consumer and small busineses —
who under this proposal would be systematically deprived of
open-source alternatives and have fewer choices (all of them expensive
and proprietary).
RAND would also tend to stifle innovation. The history of the Web and
the Internet amply demonstrates that in today's world innovation does
not come to us from the entrenched giants of technology and media —
indeed, they experience genuine innovation as an unwelcome disruption,
upsetting their strategic plans and obsolescing their cash cows.
RAND would permit — nay, it would invite — abuse of supposedly
"non-discriminatory" license terms to suppress innovation and lock in
Web innovation springs from precisely those independents and
open-source developers whom RAND would systematically freeze out of
the process. If the W3C enacts Clause 5 as written, it will be an act
of betrayal against both the Web's history and its future. The W3C
will deserve the schism and developer revolt that would follow — and
it will deserve the fate to which this bad decision would inexorably
doom it.
In the past, "standards" that are actually manacles could be foisted
on a relatively powerless developer and user community — because both
computing technology and the software development that went with it
were expensive and centralized, requiring financial mass and corporate
management structures. In that world, there was no alternative but
fetter, and customers could only try to choose the least weighty.
The OSI exists today because those days are passing. The combination
of the Internet, personal-computer technology, and distributed
open-source development has empowered millions of users and
developers, and indeed proven that it can produce dramatically better
results than the old system. Software developers and users are
increasively refusing to accept the kind of suppressive shenanigans
that corporate-dominated standards bodies have used in the past as
market-control tactics.
The time is ripe for confrontation. Thousands of web developers have
already made their voices heard against RAND. The largest IT
consultancy in the world has just recommended that IT customers drop
proprietary webservers in favor of the open-source Apache. The
increase in adoption of open-source operating systems on web servers
continues exploding, propelled both by pressure on capital spending
and the increasingly onerous license terms attached to their closed-source
and technically inferior competitors.
If the W3C persists in its present course, it risks having its tea
dumped in Boston harbor as the first move in a revolution that will
vest effective control of Web standards in open-source groups like the
Apache Software Foundation and entirely out of the ambit of the W3C
and its sponsors. OSI would do what we can help lead that revolt.
Open Standards Require Open Source
But W3C does not have to be on the losing side. We urge the W3C to take
this opportunity not only to affirm its royalty-free-only license
policy, but to institute a requirement that no proposal may become a
W3C standard unless it is backed by an open-source reference
implementation on an open-source platform, with patent grants
sufficient to ensure that the reference implementation remains
That requirement would truly create a level playing field for all
parties — users, developers, content providers, and all of the Web's
millions of stakeholders. It would also serve as a reliable reality
check on the tendency of paper standards to effloresce into
unimplementable monstrosities.
Your organization is supposed to be committed to a World Wide Web that
is open to all. The OSI urges W3C to remember this, and to center its
standards policy around one simple truth: open standards require open
Issued by and for the Board of Directors of OSI
by Eric S. Raymond, President
9 October 2001


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