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BioDetection Systems organises together with CAAT, TNO, JRC, Biopredic, BASF and DTU a 2-day training for:
Quantitive Human Cell & Effect Based In Vitro Bioanalysis for Assessing Endocrine Disrupting Compound (EDCs)
on 7th-8th September 2017 on the Science Park in Amsterdam
You will learn in a 2 day extensive hands-on training how you can use a panel of standardized stable human- and yeast reporter cell lines for rapid screening of hazards of pure chemicals and complex mixtures on multiple adverse outcome pathways. This includes those pathways prioritized in the current regulatory context of EDC assessment, including interference with estrogen-, androgen-, and thyroid hormone signaling. This will include assessment of metabolic conversions (S9, metabolically competent liver cells) of EDCs using various approaches and assessment of their effects on steroidogenesis.
You will learn more about modern robotic and automated high-through-put screening using down-scaled 96-wells to 384-wells formats. The chemical activated luciferase (CALUX) assays are available for testing of relevant matrices such as food, blood, urine, mother milk and many different environmental matrices.
All steps needed from extraction, clean-up, cell culture handling, luminometer analysis and calculations of effect concentrations and toxic equivalents will be presented in state of the art manner following current guidelines (e.g. ISO 17025, OECD TG455-like, ISO 19040-3).
You will learn to use these data in the context of chemical risk assessment, including in silico modeling, metabolism of compounds, database use and comparative data analysis and read-across, and also linkage to so-called adverse outcome pathways.
Additionally in several oral presentations the current applications in chemicals, mixture toxicity, food, environmental and public health testing are presented.


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The Legend
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Trade: Wish They Still Came With Bubblegum (Bachelor Edition)
Always a pleasant surprise to get a pwe in the mail. My new trading buddy Jeff from Wish They Still Came With Bubblegum sent an envelope full of great stuff. It was a nice assortment with an emphasis on WVU.
Thanks a ton for the cards Jeff. I'm still waiting for one card for your contest winnings. I think you will like it!
Thanks for reading.
6 comments:
Jeff's a great guy, and this is a great package of cards he's sent.ReplyDeleteReplies
It was awesome! Nice to get some new WVU cards. I usually work a year or two behind.Delete
I'm excited to see what Kevin White can do, was talking to a Bears fan who says he's better than Brandon Marshal already. He hasn't played a snap we'll see.ReplyDelete
Those Metal Universe cards are awesome, some of my favorites as a kid. I was jealous the vendor didn't have any of guys I collect but glad you enjoyed them.Replies
I think everybody is always a little over excited for what an unproven rookie can do. All I can is that White put up huge numbers with a sub par quarterback and while being double teamed.Delete
That unsigned Aflac card of Taillon is the bees knees right there.ReplyDeleteReplies
With all that open space it would be perfect for a ttm.Delete

subset: commoncrawl


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The write-offs illustrate the urgent problem of bad loans as borrowers struggle to service, let alone pay-off, their debt in a stuttering economy.
As of June 30, total stressed assets on the books of Indian banks were at $137.50 billion, down from $150.22 billion a year ago, according to central bank data reviewed by Reuters.
A large part of this reduction reflected the write-off by banks of loans worth $30.64 billion in the last financial year, the data obtained by Reuters via a right to information filing showed.
And in the period ending June 30 – the first quarter of the current financial year – write-offs amounted to 445.77 billion rupees ($6.31 billion), the data showed.
Without the write-offs and with the incremental bad debt the pile may have ballooned to nearly $175 billion by the end of June. Moreover, analysts warn the shaky shadow banking industry could worsen an already harsh climate for lenders.
Soaring bad debt levels, especially on the books of state-run lenders, have choked the Indian banking system and crippled its ability to generate fresh lending and revive economic growth that has slumped to a six-year low. The frail growth has put the brakes on sectors like autos and real estate, causing fresh heartburn for banks.
Although the Indian government and central bank has said the worst of India's bad loans crisis may be over, many analysts and market insiders remain skeptical given fresh cracks in the large shadow banking industry following the collapse of infrastructure lending behemoth, IL&FS late last year.
"Because of the new stress that building up in real-estate, autos, non-banking financial companies, and other sectors we expect that the worst is not over and there may be an increase in the stressed assets pile," said Karthik Srinivasan, head of financial sector ratings at rating agency ICRA, the Indian unit of Moody's.
"The slower than expected resolution process also means that there is unlikely to be any reduction in the numbers," he said.
A Credit Suisse report from earlier this year also warned that while banks NPAs had declined from 11.7% in March 2018 to 9.6% in the first quarter of this financial year, the stressed loans are expected to top 12% in the coming quarters.
As of June 30, total outstanding dues on accounts where sums to banks have remained unpaid for between 60-90 days stood at $10.4 billion, while overdues ranging between 30-60 days were at $8.8 billion. These accounts will only be classified as non-performing assets after the 90-day period.
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Zimsec defers A-Level Biology paper
Pamela Shumba Bulawayo Bureau
THE Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has postponed an Advanced Level Biology examination due to a shortage of materials required for the paper.The examination body sent circulars to all examination centres last week informing them that the practical test for Biology Paper 4, which was set for November 3, had been postponed to November 24.
The postponement had raised fears that the paper may have leaked amid speculation that it was circulating in Harare, forcing Zimsec to change the examination dates.
However, Zimsec public relations manager Ms Nicky Dlamini yesterday dismissed the speculation and said the postponement was due to the unavailability of some materials required for the practical test.
"No paper leaked. We realised that there are some materials required for the examination that were not available. We decided to postpone while we wait for the materials.
"We sent circulars to all schools and examination centres informing them about the development and this was done well in advance. On November 24, all the material required will be available and candidates will be able to sit for the examination," said Ms Dlamini.
In an urgent notice circulated to all examination centres, Zimsec said the postponement of the examination was due to challenges beyond its control.
"Please be advised that Biology paper 4 practical test has been postponed from November 3 to November 24 due to challenges beyond our control in sourcing the requisite materials for the practical test.
"Heads of centres concerned please be advised to take note and implement the new examination date. All members of staff and affected candidates should be advised accordingly. In order to guard against the risk of opening the question paper on the wrong date, regional and cluster managers are advised to withhold and quarantine the Biology paper until November 24, 2016," reads part of the notice from Zimsec.
Officials from schools in Bulawayo confirmed that they received circulars from Zimsec last week informing them about the postponement.
"Zimsec communicated the developments and all the candidates were informed. We were told that some materials required for the examination were not yet available. We hope that they will be available when the candidates sit for the examination on November 24," said an official at one of the high schools in Bulawayo who requested anonymity.
Some candidates said the postponement had disrupted their plans.
"As candidates, we want to write examinations once and for all without disturbances," said one pupil.


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weezie Originally uploaded by myhighfiber.this year i gave unknitted gits for the holidays. some people got special kits 'cause they're special but i had the fixins in the store for one of my favorite free pattterns on the net: the vegan fox. Roscoe got a vintage pink, Deb got goth purple, and Chelle got blue to match her hair & eyes .... and here it is! Her kids have named it Weezie, which is funn'y 'cause i've been humming that tune alot lately: listen to the song We're a movin' on up, (We're a movin on up.) To the east side. (Mo-vin on up.) To a de-luxe apartment, In the sky-. Mo-vin' on up (Mo-vin on up.) To the east side, (Mo-vin on up.) We finally got a piece of the pie. Fish don't fry in the kitchen, Beans don't burn on the grill. Took a whole lot of trying Just to get up that hill. Now we're up in the big leagues, Gettin our turn at bat. As long as we live It's you and me baby. There ain't nothing wrong with that. We're a moving on up (Mo-vin on up.) To the east side, (Mo-vin on up.) To a de-luxe apartment In the sky-. Mo-vin on up (Mo-vin on up.) To the east side. (Mo-vin on up.) We finally got a piece of the pie-.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
channeling farrah
deb stripes2 Originally uploaded by myhighfiber.i have the most talented, interesting & inteligent customers (good looking too)! Deborah channels Farrah Fawcett in her new strawberry & chocolate sweater. more pics on flickr, click on the photo to see.
Posted by Haley at 9:38 pm No comments:
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
kolsva Originally uploaded by myhighfiber.ok, i've decided, the next project on the block will be this one, from "Noro Revisited" by Tuttle Hamilton.
Posted by Haley at 10:20 pm No comments:
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This week the Coronavirus has been escalated to a Global Health Emergency status by the WHO, China extended the Chinese New Year shutdown to 9th February and many companies have implemented a travel ban on business travel to/from China or Asia as well as implementing other business continuity procedures. The last crisis in 2003… Read More
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The peppery soup of tripe (stomach lining), meats and vegetables was very popular in Philadelphia. So popular, that later recipes were labeled "Philadelphia Pepper Pot" in cookbooks not published in Phila. British recipes for the dish "sort of clear-larder" of seasonal or leftover veggies; meats and even seafood (but no tripe), then highly seasoned with pepper. The Dutch (pepper trade) and Virginia Housewife connection?
Monday, February 18, 2019
Monday, February 11, 2019
"America Eats Project" of the 1930's Great Depression
Posted by PBReber at 2:18 PM No comments:
Monday, February 4, 2019
Medieval Gyngerbrede
Posted by PBReber at 6:05 AM No comments:
Labels: Gingerbread, Honey
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Malcolm Turnbull States Australia's Climate Is Getting Warmer
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull while on a tour of drought- ravaged areas in New South Wales stated that Australia's climate is getting warmer. While Turnbull recognized the threat of global warming he said not many people in New South Wales attributed the warmer and drier weather to climate change:
"I don't know how many people in rural New South Wales that I talk to that don't think the climate is getting drier and the rainfall is becoming more volatile."
The Bureau of Meteorology estimates that temperatures will become warmer and drier in large areas of the country. Their studies show that winter rainfall will fall below average for NSW, northern Victoria, South Australia, and the western parts of Western Australia.
Scientists are unanimous in saying that climate change is moving at an accelerated pace. The climate scientists have expressed concern about the rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions. If these emissions are not reduced, humans will become exposed to the risks of extreme changes in weather conditions.
Emissions data on Australia revealed that pollution has increased by 1.5% in 2017. Those levels are much higher than emission readings in 2012. When the Abbott government repealed the carbon pricing scheme designed by the Labor government in 2014, emission levels rose by 3.6%.
PM Turnbull plans to implement a policy in the electricity sector whereby emission would be reduced by 26% in 2030. This is the target level of Australia in order to meet its commitment with the Paris Agreement. Many analysts believe the target is too low and unrealistic.
For now, Australia is not sure how to meet its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with the Paris Agreement.
Institutional investors with more than $26 Trillion in assets which include Australia's Investor Group on Climate Change have expressed concern that many countries are not on pace to meet their commitments to the Paris Agreement:
"We are concerned that the implementation of the Paris agreement is currently falling short of the agreed goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels."


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- The complete meeting room booking solution
is a multi lingual meeting room booking system created based on Japanese quality standards. Our comprehensive solution is a one stop system for all your meeting room booking needs and is 100% scalable to your needs and delivers the best ROI to your company.
amazing features
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System support multiple office locations and timezones
Room & User Management
Easy management of Rooms, Users, Permission setting. Support for uploading user data by CSV
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Daily/weekly/monthly view of bookings, move between dates easily, Show/hide rooms to be displayed as necessary.
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User friendly touch screen for quick management of bookings. Create, extend, check-in, checkout all from in-front of your room
Multi language, Visual impact, Log management
Supports English and Japanese screen display. Visually understand schedule, availability using the graphical display. Terminal activity log automatically exported to central database for further analysis and reporting


text: The warm yellow glow of the sun and the soothing green of the earth, Jaypore's freshest edit of separates epitomizes spring. Inspired by beautiful life-sustaining elements, the ivory palette is elevated by Sanganeri block-prints in citrus-inspired shades. Like a cool drink on a warm spring day, these pieces are guaranteed to refresh your style parched closet like nothing else.


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PIECE ART GALLERY (formerly Pismo Fine Art Glass, Vail, Colorado) presents the works of several generations of artists as well as craftsmen and craftswomen.
A focus on glass remains the primary interest and vision of the gallery. However, other mediums like ceramic and bronze are present.
The gallery includes works from US, Europe, Australia, additionally highlights local, Colorado artists and artisans.


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Turnaround Team
Kansas State comes from behind with a winning blend of learning and football
To understand Kansas State University, you must understand The Desk - as in President Jon Wefald's desk. It has nothing on it, save three small leadership awards. In the drawers, there is nothing. This is a desk without purpose.
But it is a desk with inestimable significance. "It is symbolic of getting things done, finishing the job every day," Dr. Wefald says. "By the end of the day, I've returned all calls and done all the work." The desk is clean. Tomorrow awaits a clean start.
And that's how Wefald has led, cajoled, and sometimes horsewhipped Kansas State into - implausible as it seems - being one of the land's finest all-around universities. That's because it's one of the very few that has figured a way to get academics and athletics to coexist rather than live at swords point. the greatness of Kansas State lies in not one - football - or the other - academics - but in their symbiotic relationship.
"Symbiotic," muses John Burtis, associate professor of speech communication. "That's a good word. We all do better when one of us succeeds."
When the school's debate team, which Dr. Burtis directs, was honored for a national championship several years ago, one who showed up to offer congratulations was Bill Snyder, head football coach.
Wefald says his philosophy is, "Let's do it. Let's solve problems. We are can-do people."
The great, good spirit of the students and faculty is palpable. "We never," says provost Jim Coffman, "stop doing the doable." And at K-State, everything is considered doable.
"We are," says Wefald, "one of the academic miracles of all times. [See story, below.] Our student scholarship is more impressive than even our football team."
Well, it's close.
Seldom, for example, did the football team make the pages of Sports Illustrated. But in 1989, it did. The headline: "Futility U." The story said, "When it comes to college football, nobody does it worse than Kansas State." The Wildcats, a.k.a. Mildcats, had the worst overall record in the game's history.
Wefald would have none of this national ridicule, largely because the ineptitude in football was creating the misimpression that it was also a place that couldn't teach straight. This shall end, he decreed.
So noncompetitive were the Cats that it was starting to look as if they might be kicked out of the football-proud Big 8, now the Big 12. "That," Wefald says, "would have meant we had no marching band, either." The ragtag band had 125 forlorn members. Wefald asked what it would take to upgrade the band, and promptly sent $200,000 its way. Today, the 300-member organization turns people away and is looking good.
Today, thanks to Wefald who wants it so, and to Coach Snyder who makes it so, the Wildcat football team is at 4-0 and ranked fifth in the nation by the Associated Press. "And to think," says Bob Krause, one of only three vice presidents at lean K-State, "all we wanted was to be able to hold our heads up and be competitive."
It gets better. These very Wildcats just could end up No. 1 in the nation. The other day, the Cats pummeled proud Texas 48-7 in a game not as close as the score indicates. Conceded losing coach Mack Brown, "Those guys are really good."
High above packed KSU stadium, Wefald watches the game, high-fiving friends, including both US senators from Kansas, Sam Brownback (R) and Pat Roberts (R). "Is this great or what?" he hollers.
Yes, it is very great. But the greatness lies in the fact that football and academics go together.
Amy Button Renz, alumni association president, says her members "want to hear about both." Wefald says that for many other university presidents, football is "a matter of tolerating it." But he loves football and all sports and claims to have thrown 33 touchdown passes to break the intramural record when he was an undergraduate at Pacific Lutheran College in Tacoma, Wash.
Yet, that he loves football - "It provides an opportunity, a diversion to look forward to six or seven weekends each fall when the trees are turning and the crops are being harvested" - doesn't keep him from responding candidly when asked if football is too important at universities: "It's the tail that wags the dog. It's far too important."
But it also is what is.
Provost Jim Coffman says Wefald always has felt that academic learning and athletics go "hand in glove. It has never been either/or. Jon Wefald proves that we can walk and chew gum at the same time." No wonder head fund-raiser Gary Hellebust says the school is "hitting on all cylinders."
So how does Wefald do it?
* His leadership style. "I empower people," he says. For example, all actions taken by the student senate are subject to his veto "but I never veto anything they do. Therefore, they act responsibly. It's almost stunning." Wefald attends few meetings. Rather, he is around his office.
Wefald leans back - not at The Desk, of course - and says, "I don't have to solve every problem at Kansas State. That's why I'm in my 13th year and I'm anything but burned out. I've got hundreds of people making decisions. They don't have to check with me. But if people want something from me, I can give it to them before noon."
* He has this perfect sense of balance. As the school built a $3.5 million press box at the stadium, it also was building and renovating a $29.5 million state-of-the-art library; as it built a $3.2 million indoor practice facility for the football team, it was building a $7 million art museum with the enthusiastic support of Wefald's wife, Ruth Ann. "There is good balance here," says Tom Rawson, vice president of administration and finance.
Always at the tip of Wefald's can-do tongue are numbers: Since he arrived, 1.3 million square feet of facilities have been added - 1.1 million square feet, or 85.3 percent, related to academic learning; almost 192,000 square feet, or 14.7 percent, athletic.
Wefald meets with most football and basketball recruits when they are brought to campus in hopes they'll pick K-State. This is unheard of. "Athletics are our window to the world," he explains.
* Wefald is not into glitz. His dad was a grain inspector. Young Jon grew up in small-town Minnesota and in the Dakotas, and in the 1970s was Minnesota's commissioner of agriculture. That makes him perfect for Kansas, where flash and dash are considered bad form. Kansans like steady.
Indeed, Wefald is all about basics. Sure, he's an intellectual and he can drive a listener nuts talking about Genghis Khan and the Mongolian horde. Yet the educational philosophy he imparts to students is dead simple: "Never miss a class, take good notes, sit in the first two rows, and study 2-1/2 hours a day." He sits back and smiles.
That's it? "That's it."
* He wants everything to excel. That's why the school routinely is at the top or near it among all schools for its newspaper, yearbook, student government, forensics (11 national speech champs in 11 years, five individual or team-debate national champs), percentage of alumni contributing, percentage of alumni members to graduates (tops in Big 12), senior livestock judging (four straight national titles), professor of the year in Kansas six of the last 13 years, and once national professor of the year. Oh, yeah, and academics and football. "Is this great or what?" Wefald blurts outs.
* Wefald and Snyder are simpatico. Snyder appreciates the president's unflagging support: "He cares about athletics and supports us philosophically." And somehow, Snyder (income: about $750,000 a year) and Wefald (salary: about $175,000) are able to maintain not only the good will but the support of the faculty (average salary of a full professor: $64,000). Says Wefald, "That's just the way things are."
Among the 50 land-grant universities, however, K-State is 42nd in faculty salaries. Wefald's plan calling for increases for each of the next three years for staff and faculty of 7.6 percent is on the legislative table.
Snyder and the football team adopted the library. The spring football game netted $19,000 in revenue; it was given to the library. Snyder has faculty members on his television show. He gives them seats in the press box. "This is just great," he smiles.
Wefald has broad-based faculty support. According to Pete Cooper, a civil engineering professor at K-State for 33 years, Wefald is "well-regarded by the faculty and there is an appreciation of his efforts, including drawing favorable attention to the university." While good professors are hired away, many choose to stay, and Dr. Cooper says, "I have to conclude they like it here."
Dr. Burtis, communications professor, agrees. "I just don't hear people complaining." He says even the student paper praised Wefald when he passed 10 years as president. "That," Burtis says, "is pretty weird."
There's a starry gathering on campus announcing a $50 million drive for academic-scholarship money. There is music and fireworks and, of course, Wefald. He cannot contain himself: "Is this a magical night for Kansas State or what?" The crowd cheers.
Indeed, on this magical night, it's obvious that Kansas State succeeds because it's a place where the power is in the passion. And The Desk is clean.
* Send e-mail comments to: email@example.com


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October 03, 2007
Crabby Doesn't Meme To Offend Anyone!
So a "Meme" has been defined as "a theoretical unit of cultural information." But for blog purposes, it's just a game, and it works sort of like a chain letter. Someone 'tags' you and you're supposed to write a post about the meme, and then link to other blogs to keep it going.
Crabby tried to do memes for a while. (She even tried to invent her own but failed to get it off the ground). But now she doesn't do them any more.
There are lots of reasons for that, but they're boring so she won't go into them. But once she started saying "no" to very nice people who asked, she wanted to be consistent about it. It wouldn't be fair to say yes to some and no to others.
However, this inflexibility has its downside! A very cool (and very popular) Personal Development Blog has a meme going. Somehow Cranky Fitness got included, even though Crabby's advice on the subject of Personal Development is sometimes so silly one might think her inclusion on the list was meant ironically. Anyway, now she's getting all kinds of meme-related links! Her Technorati rating is being puffed up nicely (though it will crash dramatically again when these links drop off).
She's feeling terribly guilty about this. She has not included the big list of several hundred Personal Development blogs here at Cranky Fitness--yet she's getting all the benefits as if she had played along.
So: apologies to all the Well-Developed Persons who have linked to her!
The least she can do is direct you back to the source. Go to Priscilla Palmer's site, and check out some of the great personal development blogs listed therein. (In return, Crabby promises you she will never mention the word "meme'" here ever again. Or at least not until the next time she needs to apologize for not doing them).
So bloggers, do you do memes on your blogs? And non-blogging readers, have you encountered these things on your favorite blogs and if you have, how do you feel about them. Interesting? Confusing? Do tell!
20 comments:
I'm not crazy about getting tagged, myself. Part of it's the sense one gets that it's a mandatory thing. And part of it is that a lot of these memes have some kind of grounding in pop culture, which I read up on but don't participate in. I often can't even answer the questions in a meaningful way. I then get frustrated and find myself wasting a lot of time on the silly meme that I could be putting to better use writing or taking pictures of my rabbit. :-)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 3, 2007 at 9:37 AM
I like memes, but they always ask you to tag N people and I don't have all that many people to tag and I don't want to keep bugging the same N people with memes over and over. When I do respond to a meme, I tend to do the "anyone who reads this, consider yourself tagged" cop-out. :pReplyDelete
I have memed. It was okay. I only do them rarely and only if I can think of something unboring to say.ReplyDelete
Thus my reason for rarely doing them.
Hm. I've just spent about 30 minutes digging into blog memes, which I had never heard about before.ReplyDelete
After all of this digging, I feel like I do when I spend any time in MySpace - that icky, high school time striving for anyone's attention. But then again, why do many people blog?
I read your blog because I enjoy your humor and attitude. I first learned about you from Jim's blog, which I like because it has real information, like links to research papers. You linked back to your blog in your comments, and voila!
This is a kind of blog meme network, except being based on liking someone's comments, I find it much more interesting.
If you have a similar icky feeling as I do about blog memes, I recommend a dose of thoughts about Richard Dawkin's original meaning of "meme". See Dan Dennett's TED lectures on memes.
(BTW, to anyone reading this comment: if you don't know about TED, I think you're missing one of the gems on the web. Go visit www.ted.com.)
- AnonymousOctober 3, 2007 at 10:17 AM
For once, the Bag Lady has nothing to say on this subject. (Shock ripples through the comment section!) Meme sounds very selfish to me,me, but the Bag Lady doesn't know much about the technical aspect of blogging. She just blundered in here one day by accident. (and has been making a nuisance of herself ever since!)ReplyDelete
I like doing them because I'm so self-involved that I think everyone wants to learn more about me... muahahahhaha.ReplyDelete
I never directly tag anyone though. Always afraid they'll ignore it and I don't handle rejection so well *sob*
uh, raising hand, hoping Crabby will notice.ReplyDelete
Miss? What's a meme?
I prefer the goofy "units of cultural information" circulating the internet like the lolcats at I Can Has Cheeseburger to the quizzes and lists that usually go around blogs--not because I dislike the quizzes, lists, and whatnot, but because whenever I did them on my personal blog, nobody I tagged answered. Ah, bitter loneliness!ReplyDelete
Fortunately, CoT's Monthly Mouthful feature's turning out better.
I've never been tagged and hope not to. If I were to, and I felt bad about weaseling out, I might just do it and post it in their own comments section rather than make it a post on my blog.ReplyDelete
To me, the purpose of a blog is to post what you want to say, not what others have already just covered inside and out. I dislike the idea of struggling over what to say about something that didn't interest me enough to write about in the first place.
I have no problem, and quite like the concept of someone posting a tagless meme-like post on their own blog and suggesting that others do likewise, and advise of its location in the comments section of the original poster. That way anyone who wants to play can, and other bloggers feel neither obligated nor left out. I've seen a photography meme like that which i may just do one day.
I'd much rather see rabbit pics too!
When I'm in a blogging slump (and not just too busy or too overwhelmed with RealLife(tm) to post, a meme gives me something to post about. When the blogging forum first started at AW I had a "Monday Meme" thread and there were some active participants - for a while. It's just hard to keep going.ReplyDelete
I do like the theme days that some bloggers do - Thursday Thirteen or The Cat's Doing the Blog Mondays...
Memes are my way of breaking Blogger's Block ;) And since I rarely get tagged, when I do, I am *happy* LOL But sometimes I tag, sometimes I don't.ReplyDelete
I should probably do one. The blog silence is deafening on my 2 main blogs!
Hey Crabby.ReplyDelete
At the risk of offending someone, I don't like to do meme's on my blog. I think they're about a half-step away from being chain letters. I just know that one day I'm going to get invited to do one and at the end it is going to tell me that if I don't to it and tag 6 other people that something very bad will happen to someone I love.
I have been tagged on meme's a couple of times, most recently by a very favorite reader of my blog. My solution was to create a personal blog that I don't really publisize and post the answers to the questions on that blog. I did not tag anyone else because 1. nobody knows about said blog, and 2. I wouldn't do that to anyone that I liked ;)
I did e-mail the person who tagged me and gave them the address of that blog so they could see that I had not ignored them, and once in a blue moon I will even update that blog with a funny story or annecdote that doesn't really fit at my main blog (Half-Fast).
I don't like meme's. blech.ReplyDelete
THey do have a chain letter feel. That said, I'm always flattered when someone tags me...which has only happened once...by Crabby. And I didn't know what I was doing.
so I'm back to blech.
I always misread the word "meme" as "me me" and since I'm naturally shy and self-effacing (as well as brilliant and incredibly modest), I tend to steer clear of them.ReplyDelete
Even though you provided a really nice description, I still don't really get what a meme is. So I'm guessinng I don't have one on my blog. You've got me intrigued, though...ReplyDelete
I love the parsing of 'meme' as "me! me!" And I've enjoyed some of the other TED lecture thingies but definitely need to check out the meme lecture.ReplyDelete
I have trouble with blog memes--i feel badly when I do them (for tagging people who may not want to be tagged) and badly when I don't do them (for ignoring very nice people who tag me). But for some blogs they work out great and I often enjoy reading what other people do with them.
Okay, enough about the damn memes. Can I confess that I'm having total blog withdrawal symptoms? We've been on the road and we're now in Boston staying with some good friends and we're heading out first thing tomorrow for Cape Cod, (a natural home for Crabs and Lobsters) so my internet access may be a bit scant for the next few days. Deep breaths. Must take deep breaths.
Anyway, thanks again all! And while I'm enjoying my vacation, I'll be glad when I can get my full daily fix of blogging again. I want to answer comments, write posts that are actually "about" something, and visit everyone else's blogs again. In the meantime, thanks so much for bearing with me!
- AnonymousOctober 4, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Wow, you have stirred up quite a reaction with this. Obviously, since I started The Personal Development List to begin with - I like memes.ReplyDelete
As a more basic description for your readers I like to think of a meme as a game of tag. Someone writes about a subject and tags one or more people to carry the conversation on. If nothing else it is a great way to get to know others in the blogging community.
Of course, if the subject of the meme is something you'd rather not participate in, I'd have to say just don't do it.
That said Crabby thank you for mentioning The Personal Development List. I really do appreciate it. :)
Just tiptoed back in to say that my lone meme experience was of course BEFORE the no-meme policy...that's all!
I was tagged once, and had to look it up to figure out what it meant. I went along with it because the tag came from someone I know and like, and she was pretty excited about getting tagged. Since I prefer to keep my posts somehow related to running (I don't always make it), I would only be willing to do another one if all of the questions pertained to running. As a reader, I find the meme posts are often not as interesting and funny as the other posts.ReplyDelete
I like doing Thursday Thirteen and Wordless Wednesday... but mostly because they give me the freedom to do what I want on them. "Tagging" memes? They can get old fast.ReplyDelete
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Posts Tagged 'Remodeling'
18 Emerging Trends in Residential Design.
Design Trends in residential design continue to change at breakneck speed. The only constant is change. This is driven in large part by social media sites such as Pinterest and Houz. Outdoor spaces are being integrated into indoors living areas. A blending of two completely different spaces are now treated as one. Trend # 2…Read More


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A year ago, Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean, otherwise known as London roots-rock duo Ida Mae, pulled up stakes and relocated to Nashville. Was that scary? "Yes!" Turpin says with a laugh. "It was less scary since it was the two of us together. It wasn't until we landed that we realized how far away it is from England," a laughing Jean interjects. The pair, who released their debut LP Chasing Lights in May, estimate that they've since driven over 55,000 miles across the U.S. through 41 states—more territory than most natural-born Americans cover in a lifetime.
"When we first arrived, there was no wine-buying on a Sunday. That was an issue," Jean continues with a laugh. "It's a big industry city, but like a village feel, really. It was quite comforting knowing we had a lot of friends and acquaintances here already," she adds. "Touring the States is so different, in the UK you can cover the whole country in seven hours. To start touring here was a real eye-opener when we realized how much work it would take and how much we'd have to do—culture shock."
Turpin and Jean have settled into their Nashville-based groove, and are tearing up the highways in support of Chasing Lights. The album was tracked live and straight to tape with producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Tom Jones, Kings of Leon) at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in the UK shortly before their relocation to the Music City. "We wrote the record between our early trips out to the US and while living in a small attic room in central London," says Turpin. "It has that trans-Atlanticana feel."
Chasing Lights is a 13-song exploration of the territory encompassed by the wide umbrella of Americana music. After a cursory listen, it's easy to tell that the band has one proverbial foot positioned in Americana's future, with the other firmly rooted in the early 20th century swampy sounds of the Mississippi Delta.
"Both of us separately, around the age of 15, discovered the blues," recalls Turpin. "I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. You start listening to that music and then you start hearing people talk about Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Then I got into that Detroit scene with the early White Stripes and the Von Bondies, and then people started talking about Son House and Blind Willie McTell, and I think I bought everything that Robert Johnson had ever recorded. I put it on and I was completely hooked. I'd never heard that kind of intensity or ferocity, the delicacy and the twang of those early country blues musicians," he says. "Nothing could really compare to it after that." "I started with jazz–Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bessie Smith, along with a lot of gospel like Mahalia Jackson," says Jean. "I found it really moving compared to what was going on in the early aughts on the radio where I was growing up south of London. I became obsessed with that music."
"It was completely exotic," Turpin continues. "The guys were playing in such a unique way, they didn't sound like anyone else. Only Lightnin' Hopkins can play like Lightnin' Hopkins. Only BB King can play like BB King. They all had such a unique character and personality in everything that they did, in what became them and their artistry. It was so much more intoxicating than the modern blues we were hearing in the UK, and anything else, really."
Upon reflection, it's not surprising that so many folks in the UK connect deeply with American roots music; our histories are permanently intertwined. Early settlers brought the stories and music folk from their verdant homelands as they crossed the Atlantic and migrated into the wild American South. "We picked up a book of folk songs collected in Missouri in the 1800s for inspiration. Every single song in it was about places in England, Ireland, and Scotland," says Turpin. "The pioneers took these songs with them. A lot of this stuff is so closely related. It's just a new flavor and rawness, and it began only three people ago in the US. We treat it with a lot more reverence in the UK. We're beard-strokey about it, which can kind of suck sometimes, I'll be honest," he laughs. "Like you're playing in an art center where people are really polite and sat down, they're watching your fingers and thinking really intensely. Then you'll play in Wisconsin, and people are screaming and shouting and clapping, which is a lot more fun. We're precise about it." "And people here are so good at it," adds Jean. "In Nashville, you can walk in a restaurant and most of the waitresses can sing in harmony. We just appreciate that."
[If you're in the Nashville area, you can catch Ida Mae performing in their adopted hometown tonight at The Mercy Lounge, click HERE for details. Click HERE to see when the band is headed to your neck-of-the-woods.]
Website | Facebook | Twitter |Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music


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Communiqué de press
The Human Biomonitoring (HBRU) research unit of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), specialised in the evaluation of human exposure to pollutants, is able to detect, from a lock of hair, the exposure of the body to toxic substances present in the environment. The unit is launching today, in partnership with the University of Luxembourg and with the support of the Kriibskrank Kanner Foundation, a study with the objective of assessing the exposure to pollutants of children residing in Luxembourg.
While some substances such as Bisphenol A are well known for their effects on hormonal balance, there is growing evidence that exposure to pollutants is also associated with chronic diseases such as cancer, infertility, metabolic or neurological disorders. Recent data also suggests that childhood represents a particularly vulnerable period during which exposure to pollutants that can act as endocrine disruptors could lead to short-term ailments as well as illnesses later on in the adult life.
The technique developed by the laboratory opens up exceptional perspectives for the study of cause and effect links between exposure to pollutants and health disorders. In this context, the « Siblings » study was launched, led by the team of Dr Brice Appenzeller. Based on hair analysis, the project aims to assess exposure to various pollutants, including pesticides and other endocrine disruptors, in several populations of children from different geographic areas, including Luxembourg.
"The advantage of hair analysis," says Dr. Brice Appenzeller, head of HBRU, "is that it covers a period of time ranging from several weeks to several months and therefore highlights chronic exposure, while a urine or blood test only corresponds to a few hours preceding the sampling". The hair thus constitutes a true « biomonitoring » matrix, where one centimetre of hair contains information for a month of exposure.
The results, communicated in aggregate form and expected within 18 to 24 months, will be used to highlight the differences in exposure between the different areas, but also between the children in each area. They can help identify unsuspected sources of exposure and will document public databases focused on biosurveillance by creating reference values for exposure to pollutants.
The study aims to collect 200 hair samples from children aged 1 to 12 years old living in Luxembourg. The sample can be taken at home using a sample kit received by the participants.
Recruitment will take place via LIH's social networks (Facebook, Instagram). Interested parties are invited to consult the LIH's Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) is a public research organization at the forefront of biomedical sciences. With its strong expertise in population health, oncology, infection and immunity as well as storage and handling of biological samples, its research activities impact on people's health. At LIH, devoted scientists investigate disease mechanisms to develop new diagnostics, innovative therapies and effective tools to implement personalized medicine.


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- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:51 06:05 12:14 15:38 18:17 19:30
More than half the expat population in the UAE believe that stress causes cancer but in spite of this belief, only a tiny fraction take any stress management measures.
These findings are a part of a cancer awareness survey undertaken by The Medical City (TMC), the Philippines' healthcare network which partnered with Kuwait's Sama Medical Services.
Another major misconception, as revealed by the survey, is that almost every other resident believes that genes are the biggest risk factor in cancer. However, the American Cancer Society says that "only about 5 to 10 per cent of all cancers result directly from gene defects (called mutations) inherited from a parent."
According to the survey, 52 per cent of the 1,000 respondents believe that stress causes cancer; 46 per cent believe that faulty genes post the biggest risk; and 68 per cent believe that cancer can be prevented.
While the respondents think that cancer can be prevented, the large majority of them neglect good lifestyle choices. Very few cultivate the habits that can actually bring down the risk of cancer – only 3 per cent take any steps for proper stress management; 6 per cent have an organic diet; 3 per cent find enough time to relax; 3 per cent spend regular quality time with family and friends; 2 per cent try to maintain a cheerful disposition in life; and 1 per cent do meditation.
As a cancer prevention strategy, only 21 per cent engage in physical activities; 17 per cent stay away from junk food, processed food, and the like; and 9 per cent get a minimum of eight hours of sleep.
Two of the biggest risk factors for cancer are exposure to a toxic environment and poor lifestyle choices.
"It is important to embrace preventive, promotive, proactive and diagnostic interventions to address a number of lifestyle diseases especially cancer. In TMC's Center for Wellness, we utilise evidence-based medical approach that helps people adopt a healthier lifestyle and facilitates positive health behavior changes," said Dr Rebecca Desiderio, chief executive officer of The Medical City in Dubai.
About 14 million new cancer cases are diagnosed every year, according to the World Health Organization. However, advanced medicine has also greatly improved the likelihood of a cure.
Cellular therapy, which included stem cell therapy, is one of the breakthroughs in cancer research – about 59 per cent of TMC survey respondents say that they have no knowledge of this.
Cellular therapy is an option for cancer therapy. This includes using stem cells and growing different cell types that can be used to enhance the immune response to cancers: targeting specific tumor cells, growing killer cells specific for cancers, and affecting the response as well as resistance to different chemotherapeutic drugs.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in May 2013 shows that survival rates increase significantly among patients who have received blood stem cell transplants from both related and unrelated donors. The study has analysed treatment results for more than 38,000 transplant patients in the US with life-threatening blood cancers and other diseases such as leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome over a 12-year.
"Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of stem cells have to be integrated with molecular regenerative medicine because many other components are needed in addition to stem cells," said Dr Samuel Bernal, chairman of the Institute of Personalised Molecular Medicine at TMC. Bernal is an expert in oncology and regenerative medicine. The latter field involves engineering of cells and other biomaterials which can result in structural regeneration of tissues and functional improvement of organ systems.
Since its inception, TMC's regenerative medicine programme has served some 600 local and foreign patients in the Philippines. TMC has for a long time invested in research in stem cell therapy and molecular medicine.
Besides cancer, personalised molecular medicine also has a very promising impact on the treatment of widely prevalent conditions such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurological diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dystonia, spinal cord and nerve injuries), diseases of the heart (non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, post-myocardial infarction), liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis), bones (bone and cartilage regeneration, osteoporosis), kidney (acute and chronic renal diseases), eyes (cornea damage, retinal diseases, glaucoma), and other degenerative diseases as well as treatment of burns and trauma.
TMC programmes will be highlighted at the upcoming Arab Health Exhibition and Congress that will take place on January 25 to 28 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.


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Single room comfort
Single room comfort
The single room "comfort" is located quietly with view to the forest (room size: ca. 11-13m2).
Arrival and departure
The rooms are available from 3 pm on the day of arrival. We kindly ask you to vacate them by 10 am on the day of departure.
Please settle your bill in cash or EC-card We also accept credit cards from VISA, Mastercard and American Express.
Everything at a glance
Room Facilities:
- Shower / WC
- Hairdryer
- Safe (free of charge)
- Flat screen TV
- Phone
- Laminate or tile flooring
- Soundproof windows
- Allergy bed linen on request
- Baby cot available (extra charge)
- Dogs allowed (leash)
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and camping grounds
- Free private parking
- Children's playground
- Baby-phone available
- Non-smoking hotel


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Welcome! To all my customers and everyone stopping in for a visit, I appreciate you all so much! Thank you for your business and support. Enjoy all your blessings!
This unique set of 4x4 inch ceramic tile coasters will add an exciting twist to any modern decor.
Hand painted, using a combination of painting techniques to give each Color Dramaz coaster its own design makes these coasters a unique, one-of-a-kind home accent.
Cork-backed and finished with a durable coating, these beautiful coasters make a great wedding gift, hostess gift, housewarming gift, corporate gift or just because.
Iron coaster stand included.


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Marquette omits 'Christmas' from 'tree lighting' announcement
Marquette University has already conducted its annual "tree lighting" ceremony, but neglected to use the word "Christmas" anywhere in a description for the event.
In past years, however, descriptions for the same event have consistently referred to the famous holiday hardwood as a "Christmas tree," even going so far as to call it a symbol of the "Christmas season."
Indeed, in 2014, the school noted that the "Christmas tree lighting" would be an opportunity for students at the Catholic university to "celebrate the start of Advent," adding that there would even be a "blessing" of the tree.
[RELATED: Harvard placemat serves up social justice for Christmas]
Announcements for the 2013, 2009, and 2007 tree lightings also use the word "Christmas" at least once—in addition to noting that there would be a "blessing" of the tree presided over by the school's president, who until 2014 was a Catholic priest.
Now, however, the announcement for the annual event at the prestigious Catholic institution makes no mention of "Christmas," "Advent," or a "blessing," instead advertising a "reception" with "musical performances, crafts, and snacks."
Mary Janz, Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life, defended the omission, telling Campus Reform that posters advertising the event on campus do make use of the word "Christmas," and that a copy of that poster can be found on the Residence Hall Association's Facebook page.
Janz did not, however, address claims that certain Christian terms that had been present in descriptions for the event in years past, such as "Advent" and "blessing," are now missing from this year's advertisements.
[RELATED: Universities say mistletoe, secret santa, red and green colors aren't politically correct]
Notably, a professor at Marquette University, John McAdams, explains in a blog post on the matter that such a practice "is not inclusive, but rather exclusionary."
"Genuine inclusion would mean recognizing the diversity of religious beliefs and traditions. The National Menorah, on public property just south of the White House, is an example," he argues. "If Muslim students at Marquette wanted to stage events to celebrate Ramadan they would certainly be allowed to by Marquette."
Similarly, other schools such as Columbia University and Boise State University have elected to omit the word "Christmas" from their annual festivities, with other explicitly Christian schools like Valparaiso University following suit.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @AGockowski


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Well, that was pretty cool.
I knew Curiosity's landing system was more complicated than the beach balls, but I didn't realize it was that complicated. No wonder the team is terrified.
WHAT THE HELL SHIRT IS WIL WEARING??? He looks like a dentist.
Posted on August 4, 2012 Posted by John Scalzi 25 Comments
Hey, did you know that Wil Wheaton narrated a NASA video about the Mars lander that will (hopefully) set down on that planet's surface less than a day from now? If not, now you do — and here it is.
Here's a link to the video and other goodies on the NASA site.
Well, that was pretty cool.
I knew Curiosity's landing system was more complicated than the beach balls, but I didn't realize it was that complicated. No wonder the team is terrified.
WHAT THE HELL SHIRT IS WIL WEARING??? He looks like a dentist.
NASA's page also has the identical video being narrated from the same script by William Shatner. I like Wheaton's presentation better, but that's just me.
Very cool. I think it's great we're striving for Mars and not the moon again.
For those who haven't been following this, the landing time is 1:31 AM Aug. 6th EDT or 10:31 PDT Aug. 5th. (By the way that is the signal received time not the actual time.) NASA will be televising this. For those who do not have the NASA public channel in their satellite or cable package, NASA will also be providing live web streaming video. That URL is
The schedule of televised events is here:
Sunday, Aug. 5
— 9:30 a.m. – Final Prelanding Update News Briefing
— 3 p.m. – NASA Science News Briefing
— 8:30 p.m. to about 11 p.m. – Landing Commentary No. 1
— No earlier than 11:15 p.m. – Post-landing News Briefing
The above times are PDT. There may or not be images available shortly after landing. If there are images, those first ones will be low resolution thumbnail images.
If the Martians manage to shoot _this_ one down too, I'll be very, very upset. I'm also annoyed about the ones they redirect away from the canals and civilization to land in empty deserts.
Oooh, so very cool!!!
Thanks to George for the additional info; I'll be watching.
I big heart the "7 Minutes of Terror" vid.
The problem with Wil is he speaks with zero gravitas. He doesn't sound like a scientist or even an adult Wesley Crusher; he talks like some 20-year old college geek-wannabe.
Doc – Seconded on the complexity of the landing process. A rocket powered hover crane for controlled lowering that flies away when it's done? Mad crazy boffo imagineering.
"Okay guys, we need to get this car from the entry vehicle onto the surface of Mars." "…crane." "Okay, it's Mars, not Boston. There's no existing infrastructure for that." "I SAID ROCKET POWERED HOVER CRANE."
Scorpius is right. Wheaton has had twenty years to work on his craft. Expect better…
"Rocket Powered Hover Crane" is the name of my next band.
Also, those who are dissing Wil Wheaton's acting chops must not have seen his appearance on "Criminal Minds".
I'm with Lila. Wil made a very convincing psycho killer. He even beat a guy up. But then he got run over by a truck, so….
Without my reading glasses I read this as 'Wil Wheaton married a NASA video'.
The link is currently unavailable from here; it must have been Boinged, but you can still go directly to the NASA site and see it. For those who feel Wil's delivery lacks… something, you can have an alternative in William Shatner's narration. Identical content, just TOS vs. TNG. As much fun as it would have been to have Dr. Tyson narrate, I suspect he has a full schedule.
I think the accompanying video about curiosity's phoning home on the NASA site just as interesting. 7 minutes of terror may be followed by 3 days of not knowing the result of those 7 minutes. Let's hope we get lucky and the sattelite picks up the signal. GL to all the NASA team.
Hopefully they have all the English to Metric conversions done right this time.
For those who prefer one over the other, there is a poll going to determine who does this better; Wil Wheaton or William Shatner. See: http://www.treknews.net/2012/07/30/william-shatner-wil-wheaton-narrate-nasa-mars-rover-video-nasa/
@Scorpius – I think he speaks with genuine enthusiasm and interest. Not everything needs to be narrated in solemn tones like an IMAX documentary. Just watched the Curiosity's landing live on NASA's website so I'm feeling the enthusiasm myself.
YAAY!!! It landed, and sent a picture, and everything worked, and YAAY!!
Annnd down intact, with pictures.
Still need verification the suspension is 100%, precise location, and see if the orbiter caught the landing in its cameras. But a very good start…
This latest adds to an impressive number of successes for the team(s) at JPL. Excellent work all around!
Odds on whether the engineering team is allowed some respite from cameras etc. BEFORE all the bars close for the night? Wish 'em luck…
Scorpius: I'm a scientist. I happen to be a planetary scientist. Wil Wheaton sounds a whole lot like the real scientists landing their craft on Mars. What he doesn't sound like is a Hollywood scientist (which is kind of funny).
Real scientists tend to love and get excited about their work so much that they sound like 20-year-old geeks.
I SLEPT THROUGH ROCKET POWERED HOVER CRANE! ::falls on knees, rents clothes:: I AM NOT WORTHY! ::Stands up and walks out, sobbing, for a bit of cry and, oh, maybe some hamburgers::
Out on Twitter etc, it's been a wonderful and oddly empowering experience, sharing something like this with so many people.


text:
Press Release: 25 June 1997 -- Updated 18 November 1997
Contact: Albert Donnay, 410-889-6666
MCS Referral & Resources, Baltimore
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia & Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Research results provided to the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and released in June 1997 by two of the VA's three Environmental Hazards Research Centers (EHRC) document the extensive prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) among Gulf War veterans. The diagnosis of these syndromes in Gulf War veterans had been rejected for years by both VA and Department of Defense (DoD) officials, despite numerous recommendations from MCS Referral & Resources as far back as 1994 that they investigate the extent of these clearly overlapping disorders.
Based on the random screening of 1,161 Gulf War veterans selected from the VA Gulf War Registry in the northeast, the New Jersey EHRC reported1:
28.5% of Gulf vets meet criteria for CFS (CDC 1994 definition)
12.5% of Gulf vets meet criteria for MCS (undefined "conservative" defn)
7.0% of Gulf vets meet criteria for both CFS and MCS
And based on examination of another 125 Gulf War vets from the northwest (most of whom were not yet in the VA Gulf War Registry), the OR EHRC reported1:
27% of Gulf vets meet criteria for CFS (CDC 1994 definition)
18% of Gulf vets meet criteria for FMS (ACR 1990 definition)
over 50% have either FMS or unexplained muscle & joint pain
DoD and VA, backed up by two IOM advisory committees and the Presidential Advisory Committee, have said repeatedly that they can find "no evidence of any new or unique syndrome" among the tens of thousands of vets examined in their registry programs. Ironically, they're right! The many CFS, FMS and MCS cases that VA researchers have finally documented are neither new or unique. But these disorders have been long ignored by VA and DoD, which still have not trained their physicians in their diagnosis and treatment, although VA at least does now have compensation guidelines for CFS and FMS. Not until 1996, however, did the VA start asking veterans even (and only) one question on MCS.
The new prevalence data suggest there may be tens of thousands of CFS, FMS and MCS cases among Gulf War vets--virtually all of which have been overlooked by VA and DoD physicians, despite years of so-called "comprehensive clinical evaluation." Given the massive extent of these undiagnosed and untreated syndromes, it is not surprising that so many veterans are still sick despite years of VA and/or DoD "care." Although the VA and DoD insist their treatment programs are working, they have resisted all efforts to study this. Despite over 125 federally funded studies of Gulf War veterans underway, not one has yet addressed the health outcomes and efficacy of DoD or VA medical care.
MCS Referral & Resources recommends 1) informing all Gulf War veterans about the "warning signs" of CFS, FMS and MCS, and 2) independent training for VA and DoD physicians and researchers on their diagnosis, reporting and treatment. To assist VA, DoD and other researchers, MCS R&R has developed a list of just 10 questions that can screen effectively for all three disorders: for CFS using the 1994 criteria of the US Centers for Disease Control, for FMS using the 1990 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, and for MCS using four questions with better than 96% sensitivity and specificity developed by Johns Hopkins University researchers Dr. Penny Keyl and Dr. Ann Davidoff.
# # #
Last Modified: 7/4/98


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U.S. and Japan Kick Off Exercise Keen Sword
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS181029-26
Release Date: 10/29/2018 3:21:00 PM
From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Units from the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) began exercise Keen Sword at military installations throughout Japan and surrounding waters, Oct. 29.
The biennial exercise is the latest in a series of joint/bilateral field training exercises since 1986 designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of U.S. forces and the JSDF.
"Keen Sword will give U.S. and Japanese forces an opportunity to practice critical air, maritime and amphibious capabilities essential for Japan's defense and for regional security," said Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, commander of U.S. Forces Japan. "Just as important, the exercise is a visible demonstration of the strength and durability of the U.S-Japan alliance and our shared pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region."
Approximately 10,000 U.S. service members from commands such as U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Forces Japan, 7th Fleet, 5th Air Force, 374th Airlift Wing, 18th Wing, 35th Fighter Wing, and III Marine Expeditionary Force will take part.
Two Royal Canadian Navy ships will participate in the maritime portion of the exercise for the first time, along with observers from several other partner nations. Martinez said, "These developments are a positive sign of our shared interest in expanding partnerships and increasing multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific."
The U.S.-Japan alliance has been the cornerstone of regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for nearly 60 years, and events like Keen Sword ensure that we will remain ready for the next sixty years," Martinez added.
Exercises like Keen Sword provide the JSDF and U.S. military opportunities to train together across a variety of mission areas in realistic scenarios to enhance crisis response capabilities.
"On behalf of the 54,000 men and women of U.S. Forces Japan, I am proud to be a part of this alliance that is so essential to our two nations' shared interests," Martinez said. "We look forward to working side by side with our Japanese allies to make this important bilateral exercise a success."
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Similar to Andy Williams - This Is My Song
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Song was listened by 2 people. Most of listeners are from United States.
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Soundtrack and 14 songs from original album are available online. OST album was released in December 09.
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Soundtrack and 12 songs from original album are available online. OST album was released in December 09.
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text:
- Why Itron
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Itron Launches New Innovative Metering Solution for the Brazilian Market
Built upon proven technology, Itron's new metering platform, OpenWay® AURUM, protects revenue and improves operational efficiency
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.—September 25, 2012—Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today the availability of OpenWay® AURUM, its newest product tailored to the Brazilian market. This product's modular and flexible design combines Itron's metering and communication technology with unique packaging to help utilities meet business objectives by lowering operational costs, improving service and protecting revenue. The Itron meter is housed in a secure box, which is mounted on a utility pole rather than on a house or business, reducing the possibility of meter tampering. In addition, AURUM takes advantage of Itron's RF mesh network to provide a cost effective solution for advanced metering and smart metering initiatives.
AURUM offers utilities a solid platform on which to build an advanced metering infrastructure that will support their needs today while positioning them for future smart grid applications. This innovative product is capable of providing two-way communication between utilities and connected assets in the field, allowing for remote meter readings, control and monitoring of field components, power outage and restoration notifications, and remote service connection and disconnection. All of these features improve efficiency and provide cost savings.
"Itron is leveraging its technology and global smart grid expertise to bring a solid solution that meets the unique needs of Brazilian utilities," said Gadner Vieira, general manager of Itron's Energy Group in LAM.
Utilities in Brazil face challenges that significantly impact operating costs. According to the Brazilian regulator Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica's (ANEEL) website, distributors record high annual losses, both technical and non-technical. It is estimated that in Brazil, the losses in the electricity distribution network are responsible for about fifteen percent of the power purchased by distributors.
Vieira continued, "Utilities need sophisticated tools to address the tremendous amount of technical and non-technical losses each year. Itron's new product, AURUM, is the technology that promises to become the principal solution for utilities to deal with these issues while increasing operational efficiency at the same time."
AURUM reduces non-technical losses by allowing utilities to manage hundreds of thousand meters with a single system, providing reliable, synchronized and intelligent real-time information. Most importantly, these meters are installed in a secured box on pole tops, away from the traditional point of use. This greatly limits access to the meter, which in turn significantly reduces the likelihood of diversion and non-technical loss.
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text:
Democrats need new leadership. The obsession to entrap President Trump has completely overwhelmed the party. Trump is likely to win if liberals don't focus on real issues affecting the nation. Consider the following case in point
For the last week, in the middle of a hot and heavy contest between 20 (or so) Democratic candidates for president, all the news focus has been on the phenomenon oddly called the squad. The group consists of four congressional Democrats, women of color that include Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib.
Donald Trump, sickened by negative remarks by the squad relating to America, said the group should return to their countries of origin if they are unhappy with the US. As an aside, three members of the squad were born in this country, and all are citizens.
The remark by the president was stupid, inflammatory and racist, so naturally it became a focal point of Trump haters and even some moderate politicians. Given the attention that the remark has received you would have thought Trump committed a crime against humanity. There's no excuse for the president to speak about the four firebrands so aggressively, but they certainly have been saying things that rub Americans the wrong way.
The squad wants America to focus on their radical perspectives and their suggestion that revolution and socialism are the answers to our social and political problems. It's no wonder that there has been such a backlash from conservative corners.
During the past few days, Trump supporters have been reminding America that the squad has made some pretty outrageous statements, proved they are inexperienced, assured us that they are biased against some groups (in particular Israel and Jews) and they are demanding socialistic changes. They outwardly spurn capitalism and exceptionalism. Given their government experience and lack of understanding of lawmaking and compromise, it's a wonder that they are the center of attention.
In fact the squad has been a pain in Nancy Pelosi's ass. There's a heated presidential campaign going on and no one is talking about the contenders. Everyone is focused on the squad. If Ocasio-Cortez were 35, would she be a presidential candidate?
In just a few short months this woman defeated a relatively strong Democratic incumbent, has been the focus of magazines and liberal talk shows, endorsed several idiotic new entitlements (with no idea how to finance them) and led the effort to drive Amazon away from New York City along with billions of dollars of proposed expenditures for jobs and infrastructure. Some people, including Democrats, are starting to believe Ocasio-Cortez is a menace.
Back to the business of the House of Representatives. After years of wheeling and dealing, Pelosi is addled about how to deal with squad. She is encountering the same issue as Trump and all conservatives. If you criticize a female person of color, you're may be labeled a racist, bigot and or sexist. Is Pelosi a racist? I don't think so. I actually empathize with the House Speaker. The decades she's spent building her reputation is being dashed by inexperienced rebel-rousers.
And what are Biden, Sanders and the rest of the presidential socialists thinking about as the squad is getting all the ink? They should also be bitter that the liberal media is most interested in nailing Trump (in part by labeling him racists at every occasion). The liberal infrastructure is crumbling before us. Does anybody recognize the irony as it relates to the squad?
Trump is going to keep antagonizing the squad and keep them in the public's eye. His base will be overjoyed and the electorate will continue to wonder who the Democrat candidates are and what they stand for.