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Subscribe To Jason Statham Wants You To Think He's Not A Villain In Fast & Furious 7 Updates
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Is it still a spoiler to talk about the role that Jason Statham will be playing in a big sequel shooting this summer? We hope not, because obviously we're going to talk about it.
The final moments of Fast & Furious 6-- still going strong as a massive summer hit-- came with the surprise that some of us were expecting, looping back to the end of Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift and revealing Statham as the mysterious driver who killed the lovable Han. Rumor had it that Statham was the brother of Luke Evans's villain character, and Statham definitely seemed to be out for revenge, though it's unclear how true that brotherly relationship will wind up being.
Production on Fast & Furious 7 begins this summer, with James Wan stepping behind the camera, and as Statham makes the publicity rounds for his VOD thriller Redemption, he's revealing a bit about what we can expect from him in Fast 7. Namely… he might not be a bad guy after all? See if you can read between the lines of what he told Entertainment Weekly:
"People think I'm gonna play the bad guy. People think I'm gonna be the villain. People don't really know what's comin', and I think there's something exciting about that.
As you can probably tell, Statham has bought into the notion that the slightest detail about an anticipated movie amounts to a spoiler, and given the fact that his appearance in Fast & Furious 6 made its way online months before the film was released, I suppose you can't blame him. But the Fast films are not exactly known for their narrative complexity, and in general when someone shoots on of our heroes, he's going to wind up being the bad guy. Save some unexpected twist, like the way The Rock's Hobbs went from stuffed-shirt FBI opponent to a co-conspirator, Statham is almost certainly the villain of Fast & Furious 7. But that doesn't mean he can't have some fun teasing us in the meantime.
He also talked a bit about his affection for the franchise, which makes sense-- as one of the world's most famous tough guys, you have to imagine Statham enjoys watching some cars blow up on screen even when he's not driving them:
The execution of the action is just mind-blowing. There's nothin' better than that car stuff. I've never seen anything to compare to it. And Vin [Diesel] is terrific. Everybody in it is just terrific.
With the new movie coming so quickly after the last one, we don't really know which cast members will be back for Fast & Furious 7 (Vin Diesel so far is the only actor making promises about what to expect). But Statham brings so much of his own star power that the onscreen clash between him, Diesel and The Rock ought to be unmissable.


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According to newly released information, it has been reported that Jolla will be the first Linux-based Sailfish OS Smartphone. The itemized release is expected to be made official by the end of 2013. Presently some of the official specs of this handset have been presented out for people's notice.
Turning our attention to the specifications, the released information highlights that the Linux based Sailfish Smartphone will be feature a 4.5-inch screen with display of a 960 x 540 resolution. It will be powered by a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.4GHz processor and will constitute 1GB RAM, and 16GB storage with mircoSD expansion slot. The device will come along with an 8MP auto-focus camera with LED flash on the rear and a 2MP front camera. Continue reading

subset: commoncrawl


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I am quoting p. 123 of the specifications. I cannot understand the purpose of this statement. Assume I use a pointer for a dynamically allocated object as in:
- Code: Select all
int * x = new int[10];
#pragma omp parallel private(x)
int tid = omp_get_thread_num();
x = new int;
*x = tid;
printf("tid, x = %d %d\n", tid, *x);
This code is correct. In this code, each thread has its own copy of the pointer x, allocates memory, assign a value to *x, and prints it. x is a private variable. It seems to me that this case is not the one described in the specification for dynamically allocated objects.
What I don't understand is why the specification has to clarify the data-sharing attribute of an object with dynamic storage duration. Is there an example where this rule applies and is used?
How can one use an object with dynamic storage duration without a pointer? One can use a reference to refer to a dynamically allocated object. But then the specification on p. 137 already states that a reference is not possible in the private clause. So a reference must be shared.
I tried to compiled different codes. Here are some results.
If I compile the following code
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int z = 3;
int & y = z;
#pragma omp parallel shared(y)
I get:
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test_sharing.c:17: error: 'y' is predetermined 'shared' for 'shared'
That's using
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$ gcc --version
i686-apple-darwin11-llvm-gcc-4.2 (GCC) 4.2.1 (Based on Apple Inc. build 5658) (LLVM build 2336.9.00)
It feels this is a bug in the compiler since the data-sharing attribute of y is not in fact pre-determined.
If I use a dynamically allocated pointer, it's the same thing:
- Code: Select all
int * x = new int;
int & y = *x;
#pragma omp parallel shared(y)
This time, the data-sharing attribute of y may in fact be pre-determined since it is referring to a dynamically allocated object.
If this reasoning is correct, it seems that the specification should really say something about references rather than dynamically allocated objects.
I would appreciate some clarification on this technical point. Thank you.


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U.S. military needs capabilities developed by NSA
Even if a recommendation by the White House panel on electronic surveillance to have separate directors for the National Security Agency and the military's Cyber Command is approved, the two agencies must still work closely together, intelligence analysts said Wednesday.
Currently both organizations are under an Army general, Keith Alexander, and are located together at Fort Meade, Md. In military parlance, Alexander is "dual-hatted."
The two have separate missions, but the capabilities they need to do their jobs are similar. "Neither one can be successful without the other," said Dickie George, a former NSA official.
The proposal to have separate leaders for the two groups are among 46 recommendations set out by the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies that were delivered to President Obama last week and released by the White House on Wednesday.
STORY: Intel panel recommends sweeping changes on surveillance
The NSA is an intelligence operation designed to collect information outside the United States. Cyber Command is part of the Defense Department with a mission of defending the military's computer networks and, when required, to attack an enemy network.
"The military can run attack operations that civilians can't do," George said.
STORY: Pentagon expands cyberattack capabilities
The military's Cyber Command was established only three years ago, reflecting a military consensus that cyber-operations will be an important part of any future war.
By contrast, the NSA's roots go back nearly 100 years when the government set up secret agencies to crack codes during World War I. Today's NSA has developed sophisticated computer capabilities that the military would need if it were to probe an enemy's computer networks and attack it in time of war.
"The NSA has built up tools over the years," George said.
The military, however, is starting to catch up. The services, particularly the Navy and the Air Force, are developing their own capabilities, reducing their dependence on the NSA, said James Lewis, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
That might make it easier to place the two organizations under different commanders in the future.
"You don't want to blur the lines as much as you have, but that blurring was out of necessity," Lewis said.
Follow @jimmichaels on Twitter


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All-new BMW 3 Series review
* All-new 3 Series driven * 328i and the 320d tested * Price from 24,880; on sale February...
What is it? This is the latest version of BMWs class-leading compact executive an all-new car that, the company says, shares nothing with its predecessor.
Its larger and more spacious than the model it replaces, yet most models are lighter than their predecessors, as well as quicker and more efficient.
The range starts with the 316d ES, but so far we've only driven the 328i and the 320d in Sport and Modern trims respectively, and with the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox rather than the standard six-speed manual.
Visually, the new car stands out from the previous version with its lower, sportier nose, while a variety of new trims and options allows owners more opportunity to personalise their car than in earlier models.
Whats it like to drive? Theres no doubt this car has a tough act to follow: the outgoing 3 Series is still the best car to drive in its class, even as its about to go off sale.
The good news is that the new car is the perfect replacement, because it tries to remedy some of the outgoing cars few shortcomings, without losing what made it so great.
Given that the most common complaint about the previous car was its firm ride, its no surprise that the phrase you hear most often bandied around by happy BMW engineers is more compliant. To cut a long story short, the new 3 Series does have a more comfortable ride, albeit still with a slightly firm feel at low speeds.
By the same token, just as important is what the new car hasnt lost its superb handling. It uses its rear-drive chassis and excellent weight distribution to give an extremely well balanced drive.
As part of our test drive, we were let loose on the Circuit de Catalunya racetrack, and even in the pouring rain that accompanied our session, the car was wonderfully well balanced. It turned into corners keenly, the nose gently running wide if you went too fast but coming back into line when you came off the power. Then, as you eased back on, you could feel the rear end lightening up as the driven wheels started to lose grip.
The result is a perfectly balanced car that's a joy to drive and all done, of course, with the back-up of effective electronic safety systems.
On the road, all those same traits were displayed, and we have no doubt that this new 3 Series is the best car in its class to drive.
In any situation, it felt in its element: easy to guide through city streets, a joy on twisty country roads and solid on the motorway.
Both the petrol-powered 328i and the 320d diesel have fine engines, too. With more than 240bhp, the 328i dispatches the 0-60 sprint in less than six seconds and responds keenly right across the rev range.
Even so, for us the 320d is the better of the two and not just because its about 1000 cheaper. It has more torque than the 328i, so responds even more keenly, as well as averaging almost 63mpg and emitting just 119g/km of CO2.
We drove both engines with the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox, and it worked well. In automatic mode, it slurred neatly between the closely stacked ratios, while the paddles behind the wheel also gave a decent manual shift.
Whats it like inside? Evolution is the watchword inside the new 3 Series. Yes, that means it doesnt look markedly different to the old one, but its still a decent cabin, with the controls and console neatly angled towards the driver.
Dominating the top of the centre console is a 6.5-inch screen, which displays information about the cars status, as well as (where fitted) the sat-nav, all of which is controlled by the fine iDrive system that will be standard across the range.
Fit and finish were excellent, as were (for the most part) the materials used. Our only reservations centre on the odd contoured wood used in the Modern-trim car and the fact that there are rather a lot of similar-looking buttons on the centre console.
Otherwise, theres little complain about up front. The driver has plenty of room, as well as a wide range of adjustment on both the seat and wheel, and a decent view out.
The real improvement is in the back, where you can fit a couple of six-footers. During our test we were able to complete a long journey with four adult passengers on board something that would have been impossible in the old car. True, a Ford Mondeo is a better and more spacious family car, but for the first time a 3 Series is a genuine proposition for a family.
It even has a decent boot, with split/fold seats available although the saloon body limits its ultimate versatility.
Should I buy one? It shows just how dominant the current 3 Series is that the only car the new model has to beat is its predecessor and that it does. In short, if youre in the market for a compact executive, this is the one to go for.
True, were still to sample the full range, but we have no doubt that this cars combination of a great drive, good accommodation and excellent economy and emissions will make it an impossible act to beat.
Audi A4
Mercedes C-Class
What Car? says


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Jill Geiger
The Budget Department prepares the Governor's budget and assists in drafting supporting legislation for the Governor's proposals. Budget recommendations are based on the division's research and analysis on the effectiveness of state management and fiscal systems focusing on areas where state programs can be operated more efficiently and lowering the cost and size of state government. The Budget Department manages the state's budget system making appropriate allotments and transfers as authorized by law.
Federal Funding Schedule
State Board of Equalization
Monthly Revenue Information
Project ENCORE/Hyperion
FY-2018 Budget
FY-2017 Budget
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FY-2014 Budget
Executive Budget
Strategic Plan


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Birthplace: Wheaton, IL
Education: University of Iowa (BA in journalism, MBA)
Childhood Influences: "Free To Be You and Me", Title IX, scoliosis, Ed Smith, my elementary school physical education instructor; Pat Johnson, my 4th grade teacher. (Where are you, Mrs. Johnson?) My olders sister, Amy, who forced me to play running bases and watch the Cubs. And, of course, my parents.
Most thrilling high school moment: Playing for Wheaton Central in the 1985 Class AA girls state basketball championship.Greatest physical challenge: Delivering a 9.2-pound baby without pain meds; two Ironman triathlons.
Pet peeve: Sitting in a car.
Words to live by: "Dieting makes you fat."
Favorite running songs: Bruce Springsteen's "This Little Light of Mine"
Recently read: "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" By Barbara Kingsolver
Recently listened to on CD: "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory
Favorite magazines include: New Scientist and The Week.
Favorite gadget: The Myself Pelvic Muscle Trainer.
Where I've traveled: Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Zambia, Tokyo, Europe and the Philippines.
Family members: Husband: Clinton, a carpenter, runner, gourmet cook, primary-care parent, and my role model for good nutrition. Sons: Luke and Erik. Cat: Zoe.
I eat: A plant-based diet. No red meat or poultry since 1985; incorporated wild salmon in 2000.
Favorite superfoods: Avocados, broccoli, blueberries, eggs, spinach, quinoa.
When no one's looking I eat: My son's leftovers.
Medical mystery I'd most like to see solved in my lifetime: Autism.


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Thursday, December 27, 2007
This was the BEST TIME THE BURLESONS have ever had at CHRISTMAS from my perspective...... A little background will help you see why I think so.
The Burlesons are made up of Mom and Dad, [Paul and Mary] four grown children, their spouses, their children, [17] their children's spouses and children. [4] So you can see the potential of a grand total of 31 counting the newest two little guys, less than a year old, being together.
We have only one planned time a year where we all attempt to be together in some fashion or other. It is an alternating of Christmas and Thanksgiving. We call it our noisy Christmas or Thanksgiving and our quiet Christmas or Thanksgiving. You figure out which is which. Use your imagination. This was our noisy Christmas. It lasted three days and three nights. [I reminded all that even the fish couldn't stomach Jonah any longer than that.]
Mary and I opted to build a 2000 sq. ft. home which would never hold the full complement of Burlesons at any one time..so..we [Mary and I pay for it since it's a lot cheaper than building a 4000 sq. ft. house.] rent a GREAT facility out of town where all the couples have a private bedroom. The older kids share a room or two and the younger ones do too. In fact, any way you slice it, it's great since there is also a meeting/dining room about 75 ft. by 50 ft, a full kitchen, game room, piano, Christmas tree, dessert table, candy table, and WII. [That's not World War Two..it's the latest video game the likes of which you've perhaps never seen.] You name it, we had it because we brought it, as you can see.
But...why would I say this was the best time we have ever had from my perspective?
It wasn't because everyone is healthy though they are. It wasn't because all are on their journey of faith and growing in it though they are, [all who have entered into it as of now] It wasn't because all were there since a few were not. One grandchild and her new husband were on honeymoon in California and Wade and Rachelle had to miss a small portion on Christmas eve and Christmas day as he's stated in his blog. One or two others could not be there either and all were missed. And, remember, it wasn't short. :)
Then why would I say this was the best? What I want to do is be specific about what I believe has created this thing inside me that says this year's Christmas family time was..out of our 17 in a row at this facility..the very best we've had.
It has to do with baggage. Not the kind you carry into an airport on a trip. I'm speaking of the kind you carry into any relationship. The kind that must be worked through to have good relationships.. but is generally even denied as existing. It is the baggage that results from your family of origin and that you carry over into the new family unit you are now establishing which you will, unfortunately, pass along to your kids in the early stages of their growth. [It is this that must be faced later, for good relationships to happen but is usually denied as even existing unfortunately by many parents.] It is, in other words, your environment early on, personalities, hurts, failures as parents, as siblings, and the generally tuff stuff you have from being a fallen human being, albeit in the process of being redeemed ,and part of a family unit that is fallen and being redeemed also.
Because this is my blog and the other Burlesons have no say in what I write here...I am ONLY going to expose my baggage and how I've had to learn the process of working through it. It will, however, serve as an example. All the Burlesons have their baggage as all have so freely admitted in years past in our sessions together at our gatherings. That's what made this year the best. We joined each other in making that journey through the baggage. We reaped the harvest this year in such a vivid way it has caused these feelings/thoughts I have. I'm going to talk about it. Respect demands I use mine as the example. The other Burlesons could and, perhaps at their appropriate times, will speak of their own journey. You would be blessed out of your boots to hear what they have to say.
Whether anyone understands what I will be saying or not, I may never know. Whether some will think it is too personal, I'm sure they will. Whether it should be done in a public forum, especially the Internet, who knows?
But that it is [facing and working through personal baggage] the single biggest factor that has made this 2007 Christmas the best the Burlesons have ever had, from my perspective, is unquestioned.
So...I'm going to briefly, in the next couple of posts, share what all this looks like, costs, feels like and why many will perhaps never be willing to pay the price. I would understand what's behind such a decision and respect their choice. But I also want to expose the treasure that will never be enjoyed if it is not done.
Until the next post...Happy New Year. May it be, in the Providence of God, your best year ever.
Paul B.
11 comments:
- Paul/Mary Burleson said...
Hey, Handsome,
I agree. You are brave, very brave. And thank you for respecting other family members by only sharing about you. Everyone's trust can remain intact.
I agree. It was our best family time together ever.
Looking forward to your sharing. No matter we've been a couple for 48 years plus, I still get excited when you share from the inside out.
- Paul Burleson said...
MB, [Beautiful]
Thanks for voting for "brave". I'm not sure but that all the votes should be for "stupid" but we will see I guess.
- Alycelee said...
I will stay tuned in to see.
I appreciate your openness to 'have one on you'
How much easier it would be to listen to our friends and families journeys and learn from that, rather than go 'around the mountain' one more time.
Happy New Year Mary & Paul.
Alyce & Mackey
- Mike & Cherri said...
This is a post that I can comment about. :)
I have to say that this was the most awesome Christmas I have ever experienced...EVER!!!
Thank you, to you and Mary, for not only setting the tone, but setting the example, of what true parentship is. I pray that our kids, see in us, what i see in you and Mary. You two are the best!!!
Can't wait to read your words and hear your heart.
As i will always say to you....Preach on brother!!!
- Paul Burleson said...
Happy New Year to you and Mackey as well. You guys have become two of my favorite friends and I've enjoyed my time with your two families. [Church and your own special one.]
Thanks for commenting. You will never know how often as I travel and teach on family life I use you and Tony [Sons-in-law] and Rachelle and Kelly [Daughters-in-law] as examples of how a family gains relationships when your kids marry..not lose them. But only those of us close know the full blessing you are to us all.
- Bryan Riley said...
Paul, this is a fantastic post and so full of the the meaning of Christmas. I love the relationships represented here. I also love how you demonstrate how silly our culture is with money and material with your paragraph about the 4000 s.ft home. Thank you for sharing and I too look forward to more.
- Kevin Bussey said...
Happy New Year Paul!
- Paul Burleson said...
As always..I'm glad you stopped by. You and yours are part of our prayer times because of your missionary heart and life. Thanks.
Honestly..I hadn't thought of the idea of what my statement might reflect about our culture and of contrasting our not being as materialistic as it is. I wish I could take credit for that as my motive. As I remember it, it was done because a larger house built at that time.. seventeen years ago..would simply not have been prudent financially for the Burlesons.
We decided to do the retreat thing as our gift to the kids BECAUSE we of our choice to do the prudent thing. I guess you could say we made lemonaid out of a smaller house situation. :)
I do understand and agree with your idea however. Our culture tends to be materialistic doesn't it. Materialism is not to be the controling virtue of Kingdom kids at all.
Of course, you and I would agree.. I'm sure.. that someone with a lot of wealth can use it to build larger homes and honor God in the purpose and use of it as a tool for life and ministry. Some who build smaller homes can and should do the same.
As with most all things..it's not the thing done.. but the purpose and heart in the doing of anything done. You can tell you spurred my thoughts in a fresh way..as usual. Again..thanks. :)
- Paul Burleson said...
Happy New Year to you guys too. I sure like what I'm hearing/reading from you. Keep it up.
- Bryan Riley said...
Paul, you are right. I just know I often hear (including in my mind) justifications for things like gigantic homes based on a "need" for such things as every family member having a toilet. Your prudence, what I saw in between the lines of your post, was what I was admiring. And, when we listen to the Holy Spirit and ask God for guidance with all of our lives, especially our finances, our decisions will be well seasoned with prudence.
- Paul Burleson said...
You are correct. Well put.


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Smithfield: Sports
Parks and Rec Notes, March 5
Contact: 919-975-1411; selma-nc.com
T-ball sign-ups
T-ball registration with the Selma Parks Dept. for ages 4-6 (as of May 1) is open until March 21. Practices will begin in April with games from May through June. The fee is $25-30.
Co-ed church softball league
Games in the Selma Parks and Recreation Department's co-ed church softball league will be played Monday, Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings this spring. A double-elimination will be held at the end of the season. The team fee is $375. Register by April 4.
Young champions self-defense
A self-defense course for ages 4-18 will be offered by a certified black belt instructor from Young Champions of America Thursday nights at Harrison Gym in Selma now until June 12. The registration fee is $10 and a weekly class fee of $7. Register on-site at 5:45 p.m. for new students.
Free indoor winter walking
The Selma Parks Department offers free winter walking indoors at Harrison Gym Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 until 10:30 a.m. The gym is closed on all town holidays and walking ends March 14.
Contact: 919-934-2148; smithfield-nc.com
Lifeguard training classes
Registration for lifeguard training classes are now open for ages 15 and older. Participants must attend every class of the American Red Cross lifeguard training class. A $25 non-refundable fee is due at registration. Participants must pass a pre-course swim test that includes a 300-yard swim, treading water for two minutes and a brick retrieval swim, all under strict guidelines. Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions are set for March 7-9, April 4-6, April 25-27 and May 16-18. The cost for the course is $175-200.
Aquatics, fitness programs
The Smithfield Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of aquatics classes and fitness programs. Visit SRAConline.com or call 934-1408 for more information. Some of the fitness offerings include Cycling, Zumba, Hip Hop Hustle, Piyo, Turbo Kick, Total Body, Tai Chi, Inferno Cycle, P90X and Cycle Fusion. For more information regarding classes, please call 934-1408. All classes are roughly an hour long.


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Four Professors Awarded Tenureby Jim Amidon • December 21, 2011 Share:
Wabash College President Patrick E. White and Dean of the College Gary A. Phillips have announced the promotion of four assistant professors. English professor Agata Szczeszak-Brewer, physics professor Martin Madsen, art professor Elizabeth Morton, and psychology professor Neil Schmitzer-Torbert have been granted tenure with the rank of Associate Professor at the College.
The process of earning tenure is a demanding one. It takes six years with formal assessment every other year, and evidence of continuous faculty self-assessment is required. It is a public process — students, departmental faculty, division chairs, external professional reviewers, the wider community, the Dean of the College, and the President all play a role.
"These four members of the faculty more than surpass the expectations of excellence expected of each and every Wabash teacher," said Dean Phillips. "Each is an impressive, accomplished teacher/scholar committed to maintaining high academic standards, deep and meaningful student engagement, and reflective learning that brings students to wrestle head-on with ideas, persons, cultures, principles, and values that challenge them to think for themselves and to act responsibly."
Dr. Agata Szczeszak-Brewer earned her master's degree in English from the University of Wroclaw, Poland, and received her Ph.D. in English from the University of South Carolina. Since her arrival at Wabash in 2006, she has taught British literature — specializing in James Joyce — world literature, and cultural theory, among many other subjects.
"Agata challenges Wabash students to learn to interrogate difference and to determine for themselves what matters most, and then to argue persuasively for it," said Dean Phillips. "But reflective thinking and responsible action are hobbled if a student can't express himself well. Agata's great success in teaching students to write serves as a model for us all. It is this powerful combination of learning to discern, to care, and to express that impresses students and faculty colleagues alike."
She is the author of Empire and Pilgrimage in Conrad and Joyce (University Press of Florida, 2010) and the recipient of the Bruce Harkness Young Conrad Scholar Award in 2007. She serves as a Trustee of the Joseph Conrad Society of America. At Wabash, she is the director of Senior Colloquium and chairs the Gender Issues Committee.
"I am thrilled to receive tenure at Wabash, and I am especially happy that I'll continue working with my wonderful colleagues in the English Department, who have been very supportive from day one," said Dr. Szczeszak-Brewer. "They are not just my colleagues—they are mentors and friends. And I'm excited to continue to teach my students how to make connections between texts and contexts, how to appreciate literature and the world of ambiguities, metaphors, and sounds, and how to express themselves clearly. Their passion for learning has been a tremendous inspiration for me."
While on sabbatical in fall 2012, she will begin research on her second book at the National Library of Ireland. The book is tentatively titled Castrating the Nation: Impotence and Nationalism from James Joyce to Salman Rushdie."
Dr. Martin Madsen began teaching in the physics department in 2006 after earning his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree with highest distinction in physics from Purdue University.
Dr. Madsen has taken a varied approach to instruction at Wabash — teaching a course for non-physics majors modeled after the Mythbusters television show; teaching an advanced course focused on medieval arms and armor; bringing the fields of music and physics together in an instrument building course; and his popular Freshman Tutorial on The Lord of the Rings.
"The Wabash community as a whole has been incredibly supportive of the ways I teach — from campus services, the freshman tutorial committee, to the athletics department — and as I explore what it means to be a learner of physics in the 21st century," said Dr. Madsen.
"Martin Madsen's innovative work in the teaching of physics garners the admiration of fellow physics teachers across the country," said Dean Phillips. "Here at Wabash he shows how the process of framing hypotheses, gathering data, testing assumptions, and assessing accuracy and effect is a liberal arts skill. Martin is an exemplar of the Wabash faculty teacher/scholar who constantly searches for creative ways to improve his craft. This commitment to creativity and self-imposed high standards, in part, has led his colleagues to select him the 2012 McLain-McTurnan-Arnold Research Scholar."
Dr. Madsen will be conducting research at Purdue University next fall as the MMA Research Scholar. In the spring 2013 semester, Dr. Madsen will spend his sabbatical redesigning the Physics 111 course, which is required of all majors. "I really enjoy pedagogy — the asking of, 'How can we do this better?' That's a really enjoyable way to spend a sabbatical."
Professor Madsen has involved a number of Wabash physics majors in his research topics, which include atomic physics, coulomb crystals, and graphene ion traps.
"There's something healthy about having the motivation to put things together and be reflective about my teaching and research," said Madsen of the tenure review process. "It's the reflective process of writing and thinking about how to do things better that leads to improvement and growth. My colleagues in the physics department have been incredibly supportive over the last six years. I couldn't ask for better colleagues. Whenever I have a question about a class or something isn't working, I can go to them and we brainstorm ideas and methods that will improve my teaching.
"Elizabeth Morton's reputation as a leading expert of African art is most strikingly front and centered at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Her acclaimed curatorial work on Ube art is but one example of the way her teaching and scholarship seamlessly connect," said Dean Phillips of Dr. Morton's work as a curator. "Elizabeth's ability to involve Wabash students in the museum world and its work is a testament to her way of engaging students, faculty, and the wider Crawfordsville community in the encounter with Africa and with art more broadly."
Dr. Morton began her career at Wabash in 2007 after earning her bachelor's degree from Indiana University, a master's degree in Botswana, and a master's and Ph.D. in art history from Emory University.
Dr. Morton curated the Indianapolis Museum of Art's exhibition, "Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria," which opened in July and has been extended through January. During the course of her work on the exhibition, she involved Wabash students, faculty, and staff.
After teaching for five years at another institution prior to coming to Wabash, Dr. Morton said she was surprised by what she discovered teaching only men at Wabash.
"Wabash has come to mean a great deal to me, and I am extremely happy to be a tenured member of this institution," said Dr. Morton. "When I first arrived here, I never expected to find the all-male classroom so valuable. In watching students grow over the years and in interacting with alumni, I realize that in the environment at Wabash, men are encouraged to find a joy in learning. They also learn to be comfortable in expressing themselves with peers and professors, which they carry forward in all aspects of life. This has been a very rewarding discovery for me. I love many things about Wabash: the social community, the activities, the collegiality, and the alumni involvement to name a few. I am honored to be a part of this College and look forward to many more years here."
Psychology professor Neil Schmitzer-Torbert graduated summa cum laude with honors in psychology from Knox College before earning his Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. Arriving at Wabash in 2006, Dr. Schmitzer-Torbert has taught a full range of courses in his department — from Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods, to the Senior Capstone course and the high-level Behavioral Neuroscience course.
"I feel that the [tenure] decision is a validation of the work we've been doing for the past six years, and I look forward to continuing to learn how to best teach our students, and engage them in the liberal arts," said Dr. Schmitzer-Torbert.
A National Institutes of Health grant has enabled Dr. Schmitzer-Torbert to conduct research with students on the effects of cocaine on the behaviors of rats. He's had seven students work with him over the summer and another 10 students have taken independent study courses with him.
"His ability to engage students in cutting edge neuroscience research has garnered high praise and respect from the wider science community," said Dean Phillips. "His recent NIH grant is one piece of evidence. The involvement of Wabash students in professional meetings, in his research lab investigating issues of rodent and human memory, and in publication as co-authors in premier journals is further evidence.
"Neil's unflappable demeanor and wry sense of humor serve important pedagogical purpose. Students find themselves welcomed, invited to the lab bench to do difficult science, and encouraged to assess what enables them to function not only as scientists but also as liberally educated persons," added Dean Phillips.
Dr. Schmitzer-Torbert will continue his collaborative research with students this summer under the NIH grant, and will spend his sabbatical finishing his experiments and publications from the work of the last three years. "With the rest of my time, I'll be looking at applying for a new grant to keep this work going, and to provide more research opportunities for our students," he said. "And, I'll be feeling out new research projects, looking to expand my work in the use of video games studying learning in humans."
"As I read through the portfolios, noting especially the comments of current and graduated students that I solicit, I am struck repeatedly by the expressions of gratitude for challenging teaching," added Dean Phillips. "It is an appreciation for teachers who care, teachers who take their students and their vocation as teacher/scholars dead seriously, teachers striving to become better at what they do. Tenure acknowledges this striving and unsatisfied commitment to future excellence. Agata, Neil, Elizabeth, and Martin give me confidence that the Wabash's liberal arts mission is in the best of hands."
All four professors will be promoted to the rank of Associate Professor beginning July 1, 2012.


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I was diagnosed with HIV+ 19 years ago. In 1995 I had excision of HPV lesions in the anus and approximately 7 years ago had a couple of lesions removed in the doctors office. I have never had a low CD4 count and to my knowledge no detecable viral load. My question is what should I do to follow up on my HPV? I have had no reoccurence of lesions and no symptoms or problems. Thanks for the information.
There are no guidelines currently set about anal cancer diagnosis. But many doctors are referring their patients to colon-rectal surgeons every two years or so to get high resolution anoscopies. Others just use anal pap smears as a first step to determine if an anoscopy is justified. These simple tests can detect precancerous tissue before they may become a problem. They are removed with infrared coagulation. Biopsies are usually taken prior to the removal of the suspect tissue to determine it is low grade or high grade dysplasia.
Wkipedia has a good explanation for dysplasia:
"Dysplasia is the earliest form of pre-cancerous lesion recognizable in a pap smear or in a biopsy by a pathologist. Dysplasia can be low grade or high grade (see "Carcinoma in situ," below). The risk of low grade dysplasia transforming into high grade dysplasia, and eventually cancer, is low. Treatment is usually straightforward.
High grade dysplasia represents a more advanced progression towards malignant transformation.
Carcinoma in situ, meaning "cancer in place," represents the transformation of a neoplastic lesion to one in which cells undergo essentially no maturation, and thus may be considered cancer-like. In this state, epithelial cells have lost their tissue identity and have reverted back to a primitive cell form that grows rapidly and without regulation. However, this form of cancer remains localized, and has not invaded past the basement membrane into tissues below the surface.
Invasive carcinoma is the final step in this sequence. It is a cancer which has invaded beyond the basement membrane and has potential to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Invasive carcinoma can usually be treated, but not always successfully. However, if it is left untreated, it is almost always fatal."
The American Cancer Society says that a great deal of research is now under way to learn how HPV might cause anal cancer. There is good evidence that HPV causes many anal squamous cell carcinomas. But the role of this virus in causing anal adenocarcinomas is less certain. More than 100 subtypes of HPV have been found. The subtype known as HPV-16 is often found in squamous cell carcinoma and is also found in some anal warts. Another type, HPV-18, is found less often. Most anal warts are caused by HPV-6 and HPV-11. Warts containing HPV-6 or HPV-11 are much less likely to become cancerous than those containing HPV-16.
The HPV tests on the market are only used to help screen for cervical cancer. There is no general test for men or women to check one's overall "HPV status," nor is there an HPV test to find HPV on the genitals or in the mouth or throat. But HPV usually goes away on its own, without causing health problems. So an HPV infection that is found today will most likely not be there a year or two from now.
I tell HIV+ long term survivors not to neglect their anal area ( tops or bottoms, women or men). Although anal cancer is a disease that progresses slowly, it is better to be proactive about it than waiting until it needs chemotherapy.
I posted a list of doctors in a previous answer on this subject. I live in Houston and used to travel to New York once a year for an anoscopy, but gladly there is now a physician trained in my city. If you live in a place where there is no colon rectal doctors who perform this procedure, have your doctor contact local physicians to see if any of them is interested in being trained at the University of California- San Francisco. They provide a two day training session. Their web site is http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/special/d/12748.html
Doctors that are trained on this issue will be better equipped to help people as they age with HIV, so it is a good thing to do right now while we wait for more data that will support future guidelines on this important cancer that is showing up as one of the highest incidence in HIV.
I hope this helps!


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|By Admin1 (admin) (ppp-70-245-110-11.dsl.okcyok.swbell.net - 18.104.22.168) on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:37 am: Edit Post
1977: Robert Blau served in Sierra Leone in Bo beginning in 1977
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Robert Blau can be contacted at rblau55aerolsdcom
Host Country: Sierra Leone
City (or cities) you served in: Bo
Year you began your peace corps service: 1977
Year you completed your peace corps service: 1979
Peace Corps Work Description (in one line): Education, Training
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June 20, 2006
Religion's last stand-2: The role of Descartes
In the previous posting, I discussed two competing models of the mind/brain relationship.
It seems to me that the first model, where the physical brain is all there is and the mind is simply the creation of the brain, is the most persuasive one since it is the simplest and accepting it involves no further complications. In this model, our bodies are purely material things, with the brain's workings enabling us to think, speak, reason, act, and so forth. The idea of 'free will' is an illusion due to the brain being an enormously complicated system whose processes and end results cannot be predicted. (A good analogy would be classically chaotic systems like the weather. Because of the specific non-linearity of the equations governing weather, we cannot predict long-term weather even though the system is a deterministic and materialistic.)
The second model, that of an independently existing non-material mind/soul, separate from the brain and directing the brain, immediately raises all kinds of problems, which have long been recognized. The scientist-philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-1650) of "I think, therefore I am" fame was perhaps the first person to formulate this mind-body dualism (or at least he is the person most closely associated with the idea) and it is clear that he felt that it was necessary to adopt this second model if one was to retain a belief in god.
But he realized immediately that it raises the problem of how the non-material mind/soul can interact with the material brain/body to get it to do things. Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia, with whom Descartes had an extended correspondence, was unable to understand Descartes' explanation of this interaction and kept prodding him on this very question. Descartes had no adequate answer for her, even though both clearly wanted to believe in the existence of god and the soul. In the introduction to his translation of Descartes' Meditations and other Metaphysical Writings (which contains extended segments of the Elizabeth-Descartes correspondence), Desmond Clarke writes:
After repeated attempts to answer the question, how is it possible for something which is not physical to interact with something else which, by definition is not physical?, Descartes concedes that he cannot explain how it is possible.
But he tried, using the best scientific knowledge available to him at that time. He argued that the location of the soul's interaction with the body occurred in the pineal gland.
As is well known, Descartes chose the pineal gland because it appeared to him to be the only organ in the brain that was not bilaterally duplicated and because he believed, erroneously, that it was uniquely human. . . By localizing the soul's contact with body in the pineal gland, Descartes had raised the question of the relationship of mind to the brain and nervous system. Yet at the same time, by drawing a radical ontological distinction between body as extended and mind as pure thought, Descartes, in search of certitude, had paradoxically created intellectual chaos.
Although Descartes failed in his efforts to convincingly demonstrate the independent existence of the soul, research into the relationship of religious beliefs to the central nervous system of the brain has continued.
Descartes is an interesting character. Much of his scientific work, and even his temperament, seem to indicate a materialistic outlook. But at the same time, he took great pains to try and find proofs of god's existence. One gets the sense that he was a person trying to convince himself of something he did not quite believe in, and had he lived in a different time might have rejected god with some relief. The article on Descartes in Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, 13 June 2006 says:
Even during Descartes's lifetime there were questions about whether he was a Catholic apologist, primarily concerned with supporting Christian doctrine, or an atheist, concerned only with protecting himself with pious sentiments while establishing a deterministic, mechanistic, and materialistic physics.
The article points to reasons for the ambiguousness of his views, which could be due to the fact that there was, at that time, considerable fear of the power of the Catholic Church and this may have guided the way he presented his work.
In 1633, just as he was about to publish The World (1664), Descartes learned that the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) had been condemned in Rome for publishing the view that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Because this Copernican position is central to his cosmology and physics, Descartes suppressed The World, hoping that eventually the church would retract its condemnation. Although Descartes feared the church, he also hoped that his physics would one day replace that of Aristotle in church doctrine and be taught in Catholic schools.
Descartes definitely comes across as somewhat less than pious, and non-traditional in his religious beliefs.
Descartes himself said that good sense is destroyed when one thinks too much of God. He once told a German protégée, Anna Maria van Schurman (1607–78), who was known as a painter and a poet, that she was wasting her intellect studying Hebrew and theology. He also was perfectly aware of - though he tried to conceal - the atheistic potential of his materialist physics and physiology. Descartes seemed indifferent to the emotional depths of religion. Whereas Pascal trembled when he looked into the infinite universe and perceived the puniness and misery of man, Descartes exulted in the power of human reason to understand the cosmos and to promote happiness, and he rejected the view that human beings are essentially miserable and sinful. He held that it is impertinent to pray to God to change things. Instead, when we cannot change the world, we must change ourselves.
Clearly he was not orthodox in his thinking. Although he tried to believe in god, it was his emphasis on applying the materialistic principles that he used in his scientific work to try and identify the mechanism by which the mind interacts with the brain that has the potential to create the big problem for religion.
To sum up Descartes' argument, following sound scientific (methodological naturalistic) principles, he felt that if the mind interacted with the brain, then there had to be (1) some mechanism by which the non-material mind could influence the material brain, and (2) some place where this interaction took place. Although he could not satisfactorily answer the first question, he at least postulated a location for the interaction, the pineal gland. We know now that that is wrong, but the questions he raised are still valid and interesting ones that go to the heart of religion.
Next: What current researchers are finding about the brain and religion.
POST SCRIPT: Documentary on Rajini Rajasingham-Thiranagama
I have written before about the murder of my friend Rajini Rajasingham-Thiranagama, who had been an active and outspoken campaigner for human rights in Sri Lanka. I have learned that a documentary about her life called No More Tears Sister is the opening program in the 2006 PBS series P.O.V.
In the Cleveland area, the program is being shown on Friday, June 30, 2006 at 10:00pm on WVIZ 25. Airing dates vary by location, with some PBS stations showing it as early as June 27. The link above gives program listings for other cities. The synopsis on the website says:
If love is the first inspiration of a social revolutionary, as has sometimes been said, no one better exemplified that idea than Dr. Rajani Thiranagama. Love for her people and her newly independent nation, and empathy for the oppressed of Sri Lanka - including women and the poor - led her to risk her middle-class life to join the struggle for equality and justice for all. Love led her to marry across ethnic and class lines. In the face of a brutal government crackdown on her Tamil people, love led her to help the guerrilla Tamil Tigers, the only force seemingly able to defend the people. When she realized the Tigers were more a murderous gang than a revolutionary force, love led her to break with them, publicly and dangerously. Love then led her from a fulfilling professional life in exile back to her hometown of Jaffna and to civil war, during which her human-rights advocacy made her a target for everyone with a gun. She was killed on September 21, 1989 at the age of 35.
As beautifully portrayed in Canadian filmmaker Helene Klodawsky's "No More Tears Sister," kicking off the 19th season of public television's P.O.V. series, Rajani Thiranagama's life is emblematic of generations of postcolonial leftist revolutionaries whose hopes for a future that combined national sovereignty with progressive ideas of equality and justice have been dashed by civil war - often between religious and ethnic groups, and often between repressive governments and criminal rebel gangs. Speaking out for the first time in the 15 years since Rajani Thiranagama's assassination, those who knew her best talk about the person she was and the sequence of events that led to her murder. Especially moving are the memories of Rajani's older sister, Nirmala Rajasingam, with whom she shared a happy childhood, a political awakening and a lifelong dedication to fighting injustice; and her husband, Dayapala Thiranagama, who was everything a middle-class Tamil family might reject - a Sinhalese radical student from an impoverished rural background. Also included are the recollections of Rajani's younger sisters, Vasuki and Sumathy; her parents; her daughters, Narmada and Sharika; and fellow human-rights activists who came out of hiding to tell her story. The film rounds out its portrayal with rare archival footage, personal photographs and re-enactments in which Rajani is portrayed by daughter Sharika Thiranagama. The film is narrated by Michael Ondaatje, esteemed author of The English Patient and Anil's Ghost.
I knew Rajini well. We were active members of the Student Christian Movement in Sri Lanka when we were both undergraduates at the University of Colombo. It does not surprise me in the least that she threw herself with passion into the struggle for justice. She was brave and spoke the truth, even when it was unpalatable to those in power and with guns, and backed up her words with actions, thus putting her life on the line for her beliefs. Such people are rare. I am proud to have known her.
TrackbacksTrackback URL for this entry is: http://blog.case.edu/singham/mt-tb.cgi/8461
Dear Mano Singham,
I briefly read what you had written on Descartes and found it to be very interesting, though I am no scientist. Also, I am rajani's sister, Sumathy and found your posting rather moving.


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Picture a man of powerful physique, a champion wrestler, who could eat hundreds of bananas in one sitting. Imagine a guru who was observed to lead his students into a river, walk them across the bottom and out the other side. Is this a modern action hero? No, it is one of the most controversial and influential Vedantic acharyas in India's modern history. Add to his qualities that he was an unparalleled Sanskrit scholar who knew the scriptures to mastery level by the age of eighteen, a powerful debater who openly and publicly challenged all views, and a mountain climber who, after fasting for 48 days, trekked to Badarik Ashram, high in the Himalayas, to meet the eternal Rishi Vedavyasa and receive his teachings. Allow me to introduce Shri Madhvacharya--also known as Vasudeva, Purnaprajna and Anandatirtha--the famous founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta and the Brahma Vaishnava Sampradaya, of which I am a devout follower. Through his eloquent preaching and prolific dictation, this one brilliant man gave a new perspective to Vedantic scripture that influences millions of people to this day.
Vaishnava Hinduism, of which Madhva was one of the foremost exponents, holds a vision that this world and the transcendental world beyond it are populated by divine beings who can, at will, descend as avatars into our planet in what appears to be a human body. Some are manifestations of Parabrahman, from beyond all matter, whose apparent bodies are projections of their transcendent being. They are not born and do not die, though they may appear to do so. Avatars manifest varying degrees of Divinity, from the perfect, or Purna-Avatars, like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, to the avatars of various devas who manage our material world. Madhva announced himself as an avatar of Prana Vayu, the life force itself, come to Earth to revive and teach the real, eternal meaning of the Vedas.
As Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita (4.7), "Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata." "Whenever there is a decline of dharma within the world, I descend myself to correct the situation." It is for this reason that in the Hindu/Vedic culture we say, "Atiti devo bhavataha," or "The guest should be treated as a descent of the Divine." You never really know who is coming to dinner, since avatars are always wearing a disguise so as not to disturb unknowing humans.
Details of Madhva's life are known primarily from the Madhva-vijaya (or Sumadhva-vijaya), a biography by Narayana Pandita, the son of Trivikrama Pandita, a brilliant advaita scholar who was defeated by Madhva in debate and became one of his foremost disciples. This account tells us that, in 1238, on the auspicious occasion of the Vijayadasami festival held at the Ananteshvara Temple in the city of Udupi, a mute man became possessed of the spirit of Lord Ananteshvara, climbed the temple's stone flag pole and, from atop its tiny platform, proclaimed to the crowd of devotees that Lord Vayu, the closest deva to Vishnu, would soon take birth to revive Hindu dharma. For twelve years, a pious brahmin couple of modest means, Narayana and Vedavati Naddantillaya, had prayed and performed severe penance at this temple, beseeching the Deity to bless them with a male child to perpetuate their family line. Eight months after the mute's declaration, Vedavati gave birth to a handsome son in their home in Pajaka, south of Udupi. They named him Vasudeva.
Vasudeva was physically and mentally precocious. Once, at the age of one, he grabbed hold of the tail of one of the family bulls who was going out to graze in the forest and followed the bull all day long. At sunset, to the great relief of his worried parents, Vasudeva returned home with the bull, hungry but otherwise happy. At the age of three, he disappeared one morning, and his increasingly frantic parents searched everywhere for him. Finally, his father found him seven miles away, at the Ananteshvara Temple in Udupi. The boy explained that he had walked there to have darshan of the Deity at the behest of the Lord Himself.
When he was five, his mother took him to attend a spiritual discourse by a prominent pundit. At one point, the speaker made a mistake. Vasudeva immediately stood up and corrected him, offering the proper explanation with reference to the shastra. Impressed by the child's knowledge, the pundit praised his discernment and courage.
Soon thereafter, a money lender came to their house demanding payment for a long overdue debt owed by Vasudeva's father. Curious, the boy spoke to the burly fellow and learned of his purpose. Asking him to wait a moment, Vasudeva ran to the back yard, picked up some dry tamarind seeds, rubbed them in his palms and transformed them into gold coins, with which he paid the man even more than the amount of the debt.
At age seven Vasudeva received his upanayana initiation and was enrolled in Vedic studies at the gurukulam of Totanillaya. This did not impede his love of play, and he spent most of his time wrestling, swimming, trekking and lifting weights. In competition, he was fearless and invincible. One day, his teacher scolded him for neglecting his studies. Vasudeva replied, "I don't see any point in repeating what I have heard once and memorized." "Very well then" the teacher retorted, "recite all the shlokas I taught this morning!" Without hesitation, Vasudeva chanted the verses in resounding, sonorous Sanskrit and then recited more from the same text that had not even been taught. That ended any further doubt in his Vedic prowess.
After nine years of formal learning, the students would each take a vow to take up a career and make a difference in the world. Their aspirations varied: priest, doctor, astrologer, merchant. Vasudeva vowed to study the scriptures to find out their true meaning, as he just could not accept the Sankaran Advaita view, so prevalent in his day, that the world is an illusion. He resolved to renounce worldly life and become a monk so that he could spend all his time combatting Advaita and promoting theism, which he believed to be the essence of true religion.
Like most parents, Narayana and Vedavati were shocked by his decision and begged him to reconsider, reminding him that, as their only son, it was his duty to marry, have children to perpetuate their family line and take care of them through their old age. Vasudeva was adamant and could not be dissuaded, but agreed to postpone his renunciation until Vedavati bore another child, which Vasudeva seemed to know would be a son. Upon the birth of his brother, the 16-year-old left home and joined the Ekadandi Order as a sannyasin at the Ananta Matha in Udupi. Vasudeva was initiated by Achyutaprekshacharya, who named him Purnaprajna, due to his prodigious knowledge.
Just forty days after his initiation, two famous scholars came to Udupi in search of a competitor worthy to engage in debate. They were Vadisimha of the Vyaya-Vaisheshika school and Buddhisagara, a Buddhist monk. Purnaprajna was chosen to represent the matha. Their easy victory turned to stunning defeat as the youth thoroughly worsted them on the first day of debate. They left Udupi that night rather than resume the contest the next day and publicly admit defeat before the extraordinary young monk. They, like so many who confronted Purnaprajna, were no match for his unassailable logic and encyclopedic knowledge of the shastras. Many an opponent was defeated and became his disciple or just quietly slipped away.
In 1256, at age 18, encouraged by his success, Madhva set out on a grand tour of South India, joined by his preceptor, Achyutaprekshacharya. On a three-year campaign passing through Anantasayana, Kanyakumari, Rameshvaram and Srirangam, Madhva preached Tattvavada, "doctrine of truth," and held heated debates with advaitins as well as scholars of all schools of thought, including Buddhism and Jainism.
Coming in contact with followers of the great Ramanuja, the South Indian founder of the Shri Vaishnava Sampradaya, Madhva realized he was not alone in his campaign against advaita, as they also argued against Shankara's philosophy. This first of three great tours galvanized his resolve: "My whole life shall be dedicated to the spread of ultimate truth."
People flocked to hear the handsome, charismatic preacher; many were won over and joined him as disciples. The Madhva-vijaya describes him: "Madhvacharya shone like the moon, with his gentle smile, lotus eyes, golden complexion and words of blessing. He had the gait of a young lion, feet and hands like sprouts, nails like rubies; thighs like the trunk of an elephant, a broad chest and long muscular arms. Indeed, those who made sacred images considered him the model for their art."
After the troupe returned to Udupi, Achyutaprekshacharya conferred on his disciple the title Madhvacharya and appointed him his heir-apparent to the pitham of Ananta Matha. For the next six years, Madhva remained in Udupi, during which time he authored the first of two commentaries (bhashya) on the Bhagavad Gita, dictating it in Sanskrit to his disciple Satyatirtha, who scribed it on palm leaves.
Around 1265, Madhva set out on his first tour of North India. Taking his Gita manuscript to present as a tribute to Vedavyasa, he set out on pilgrimage with a few close disciples to the legendary sage's ashram in the Himalayas. Reaching Badri, he fasted, bathed in the Ganga and remained silent for 48 days, in a quest for spiritual guidance. Finally, the call came from within to go to Uttara Badri, the harsh and isolated spot high in the Himalayan peaks where the legendary Vedavyasa is said to still reside. Leaving a note for his disciples, he left alone, before dawn one morning, on the arduous journey. Satyatirtha, reading the note, followed his master into the treacherous frozen peaks. Catching up to the athletic saint, only halfway to Uttara Badri, Satyatirtha was so weak that he could neither go on nor go back the way he had come. It is said that in this moment Madhva blew a powerful and magical burst of air that sent him flying back to safety with his brother disciples at Badri.
Reaching Uttara Badri, Madhva prostrated at the feet of Vyasa and spent weeks receiving instruction from him on the true meaning of Vedanta. Though Madhva begged to stay, the sage instructed him to return to the world and continue his mission. In obedience, the monk retraced his steps back to Badri, where his disciples, though fearful that he might have perished, had held a faithful vigil. Far from worn out by the arduous trek, Madhva returned energized and jubilant. In the days following he dictated to Satyatirtha the commentary on the Brahma Sutra that Vedavyasa had spoken to him. Satyatirtha scribed it, then arranged for the precious work to be copied and distributed.
Madhva and his monks headed south. As they were passing through Andhra Pradesh, around 1270, they got word that a huge philosophical convention was being held at Rajamahendri on the Godavari River. It was convened by Sobhanabhatta, a staunch and brilliant advaitin and the prime minister of the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal. Scholars from all over India were gathering. Madhva decided to attend. This was the first major public forum by which his new philosophy became widely known to the world of Sanskrit scholars. It was a turning point. At that convocation, Madhva won over the famous scholar Puri Swami Shastri, whom he accepted as his disciple and renamed Narahari Tirtha. Sobhanabhatta also was converted to Tattvavada, and the two illustrious scholars joined Madhva's growing entourage on their return to Udupi, where they were greeted joyously by Achyutapreksha.
The time had now come, Madhva deemed, to bring his own guru into his philosophy, who while proud and supportive, was still an advaitin with strong reservations regarding Madhva's views. After a long series of debates, Achyutapreksha conceded defeat, accepted Madhva's Dvaita view as supreme and became his disciple as Padmanabha Tirtha. The Ananta Matha, which had been a stronghold of Advaita for centuries, became the spiritual center of Madhva's Brahma Vaishnava Sampradaya.
A few years later, a miraculous, landmark event occurred at Malpe beach, three miles west of Udupi. One day Madhva was meditating by the seashore, as he often did. A storm arose at sea and a cargo ship traveling from Dvaraka, which Madhva could see in the distance, began to flounder in the heavy waves. Madhva waved his saffron cloth. The ship suddenly stabilized, the waves abated. Certain that they had survived by the grace of a holy monk, the captain and a few mates took a tender boat to shore. Approaching Madhva, the captain offered him anything he wanted from the merchandise in the ship. To their surprise, he said he had no need for their goods, but would take the three mounds of gopi chandan clay that lay as ballast in the ship's hull. Amazed that the monk knew of the clay, the captain himself delivered to the swami the three mounds of gopi chandan native to the Godavari River that some Vaishnavas use in paste form to make their gold-colored sectarian body marks.
As Madhva must have intuited, when submerged in water and broken apart, each block of clay liberated an ancient stone murti of Krishna. These are said to have been lost when the original city of Dvaraka was submerged in the sea at the end of the Dvapara Yuga. The largest of the three, an icon of Janardana nearly three feet tall, he consecrated for worship at the village of Yermal, 15 miles south of Udupi. The second, an image of Balarama 2.5 feet tall, he installed at a Subrahmanya temple in Malpe. The third murti, just twenty inches tall, is a unique statue of Balakrishna holding a shepherd's staff. This icon Madhva enshrined, in 1278, at the Ananta Matha, later renamed the Sri Krishna Matha. This small shrine at the matha is today one of India's most important Krishna pilgrimage destinations. This began the pattern Madhva would follow for the rest of his life, obtaining and consecrating images of the Lord and establishing unique sanctuaries specific to his Dvaita sampradaya. Setting up a new liturgy as well for his sampradaya, Madhva discontinued the Smarta Puja rites and replaced them with the Tantrasara worship patterns he learned from Sage Vyasa--elaborate, spectacular pujas that melt the heart of anyone attending and open the doors to the realm of God.
Leaving no aspect of religious life unexamined, Madhva also addressed social issues. In one of his most controversial battles, he spoke against the sacrifice of animals at Vedic rituals and brought an end to the practice in the Udupi region. Madhva offered a revolutionary meaning to caste, saying it should be determined by a man's behavior and nature, rather than his birth--that an illumined soul is a true brahmin, regardless of his occupation. He instigated the prohibition of liquor consumption during religious ceremonies. And, criticizing the priesthoods, he said, "Spirituality should not be confused with superstition." His opponents were equally bold. They continually denounced his reforms and went so far as to raid and pillage his large collection of rare manuscripts.
Madhva was as physically powerful as any warrior. On one occasion two champion wrestlers came to challenge him. Engaged in chanting the names of Lord Vishnu, Madhva paused to say he doubted they were strong enough for the contest. At this they began lifting and throwing heavy objects to demonstrate their prowess. Madhva said he would wrestle them if they could, by choking him, silence his japa. Grasping his neck, the two powerhouses tried to stop his chanting one at a time and then together, but to no avail. Exhausted, the Goliaths bowed in defeat and asked, "What, may we ask, is the source of your power?" Madhva said, "It is the names of Vishnu." They, too, became disciples.
Madhva undertook one more tour of North India between 1280 and 1290, after initiating a number of his disciples into sannyasa. The final destination of his troupe was Badri. Among their many adventures was a famous encounter at the south bank of the Ganga. They were planning to cross by boat, but none was operating. They learned that war was brewing locally and that Balban, the Sultan of Delhi, camped on the north bank, had forbidden anyone to cross without permission. He who disobeyed would be brought to him and put to death. Hearing this, Madhva had his disciples stand in line behind him, each holding the garment of the one in front, and, walking on the river bottom, led them safely to the other side. Seeing them emerge from the river, the Sultan's soldiers rushed forward to arrest them. Madhva is said to have commanded, "Be quiet and behave yourselves. I want to see the Sultan." Appearing swiftly, Balban demanded to know how they dared defy his decree. Madhva answered in fluent and chaste Persian, presenting himself as an apostle of theism who took directives only from God. "I worship that Father who illumines the entire universe; and so do you. Why should I fear then either your soldiers or you? I am traveling through on my life's mission to spread the true faith in the one Supreme Being who is the ruler of the cosmos, whom all persons should worship by their honest work and loving devotion. We are all citizens of His kingdom." Disarmed by Madhva's fearlessness and purity, the Sultan paid his respects, offered gifts, which Madhva declined, and provided safe passage to the monk and his followers.
When highway robbers attacked the itinerants in a deep jungle, Madhva rolled up one of his saffron robes and threw it into their midst. By his mystic power they saw it as a bag of gold and began fighting over it while the travelers walked safely on.
It was on this tour that Madhva secured several more important sacred icons and artifacts that to this day are the focus of worship for followers, including a set of ancient icons of Sri Rama and Sita that were retrieved from the treasury of the Kalinga court. It is known that before returning to Udupi, the saint visited Goa, where he is said to have enthralled audiences, not only with his oratory, but with his music.
Returning at last to Udupi, Madhva spent the next two decades, 1290-1310, engaged in missionary work in Tulanad, the home territory of his burgeoning new sect. It is said he visited every home in the region. It was during this time that he faced the most formidable adversary he had ever debated, Trivikrama Pandit, a champion of Shankara's Advaita. Over fifteen days of fierce dialog between two opposite views of Vedanta, Madhva slowly but steadily gained ground. Finally, on the fifteenth day, Trivikrama admitted defeat and prostrated to Madhva in submission. Rising from the floor, the pandit had a spiritual vision in which he saw in Madhva the three incarnations of Vayudeva: Hanuman, Bhima and Madhva. He spontaneously spoke forth a shloka in praise of Madhva that is recited daily by Madhvans to the present time.
Perhaps Madhva's greatest genius was that he recorded his philosophy and system of religion so eloquently and completely. He authored--not by writing, but by dictation--thirty-nine original Sanskrit works, including four works on the Brahma Sutra, commentaries on the ten major Upanishads and on the Rig Veda Samhita's forty hymns; commentaries on the Mahabharata and Bhagavat Purana, and two commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita; five hymns in praise of the Divine and five manuals on sectarian practices. This literary legacy, along with the scriptures it comments on, forms the canon of his sampradaya, which is today one of the strictest, well organized and tightly administrated spiritual bodies in India.
Madhva's bold approach and the clarity and force of his scholarly writings are unique not only in India but in any theistic tradition anywhere in the world. If Shankara was the original "Unitarian," as the one, for instance, whose philosophy influenced the views of Emerson, Thoreau and other transcendentalists, then Madhva was a "unique-itarian" standing as the fearless champion of the eternal existence of the individual soul. His bold assertion that the eternal truth of the Vedas was nearly lost and so he had to go straight to the source--to sit at the venerable feet of Vedavyasa in Uttara Badri, hear the true meaning of the Vedas from their original source and write that truth as his own commentary on the Brahma Sutra--is stunning.
After his parents passed on, Madhva initiated his brother, Vishnuchitta, and seven other disciples into the order as sannyasins. The brother became known as Sri Vishnutirtha. Through these eight, Madhva established eight (ashta) mathas in Udupi: Palimaru, Admaru, Shirur, Kaneyur, Pejavara, Krishnapura, Puttige and Sodhe.
Madhvacharya had a profound influence on other bhakti schools in his day, the most obvious and currently visible being the Gaudiya branch of Vaishnavism. Originating from Shri Chaitanya in West Bengal, its followers are widely known through the presence of ISKCON and related groups. The Gaudiya lineage traces itself to Madhva, though the followers of Madhva are of the opinion that the Gaudiyas have deviated significantly from many important points in Madhva's teachings. Yet, both sects accept the nine points presented in this Insight (see sidebar below) as bedrock Dvaita Vedanta and have built their teachings on Madhva's foundation.
As for his own identity, in the last verse of his brief work summarizing Dvaita, the Vishnu Tattva Vinirnaya, Madhva declares, "In my first birth I was Hanuman, born to help Lord Rama rescue Sita from the asura Ravana. In my next birth I was Bhima, the strength of the Pandavas, born to defeat adharma in the form of the evil-minded Duryodhana. And in this birth I am born to restore the real purport of the Vedas as serving only the highest truth, Lord Hari."
One of the two most popular images of Madhva shows him as the muscular and indefatigable hero, scion of Vayu, the life force itself, in His triple form of Hanuman, Bhima and Madhva. The other shows him seated, resolute and focused, with two fingers on his right hand raised while chanting the slogan of Dvaita Vedanta, "Difference is real."
Madhva left his body at the age of 79 in the year 1317. By one account, this occurred while he was lecturing to hundreds of disciples at the Ananteshvara Temple on the Aitareya Upanishad, his personal favorite. He recited a prayer based on the invocation to that terse scripture as his final instruction: "Om, may my mind and speech always be fixed upon the Supreme Being Who is the greatest of all. May that Being reveal Himself to me now and for evermore. May my mind and speech help me to understand the Vedic truths and may that truth always be present within me. Do not be idle. Day and night, remain dedicated to this endeavor. Always think this Truth and speak it to those who will listen. Lord Vishnu will protect those who do this and bring wisdom and peace to the world." It is said that as he gave this final call for his followers to go forth and preach, heavenly beings blanketed him in a shower of flowers under which he disappeared from this world and took residence in the transcendent realm of Sage Vedavyasa, high in the Himalayas. The place of his disappearance is honored as a holy spot to this day. By a simpler account, after passing on his various responsibilities to his disciples, he set out, all alone, for a third journey to Badri, never to be seen again. The day of his departure is celebrated as Madhvanavami.
Sriman Madhvacharya was the embodiment of resolution, individuality and eternal truth, serving the wishes of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu to establish the eternal truths of the Hindu dharma, even with his final breath. He is one of Hinduism's greatest heroes. The followers of Madhva continue his tradition with steadfast fervor.


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The Young British Fifer
Besides Luther Blanchard, there's another story of a wounded fifer on 19 Apr 1775, this one on the British side. But I've been unsuccessful in nailing down the details.
Abram English Brown wrote Beneath Old Roof Trees in 1896 based on historical accounts, family traditions, and some fictionalization—but it's hard to know how much of each. Setting the scene as a yearly reunion of Revolutionary War veterans in Lexington, Brown quoted a "Lieutenant Munroe" about a "little fifer":
"He was a bright little fellow, and had piped away for [Maj. John] Pitcairn as well as he could, in coming down from Concord, until an old fellow had let fly at him from his musket loaded with shot for wild geese, and had broken one of his wings; at least, there he sat, with his fife stuck into the breast of his jacket, begging for help."Almost a century later, in 1994, David Hackett Fischer wrote in Paul Revere's Ride:
"We gave it to him too," cried a voice from the perch above; "although they abused our folks, young and old."
Later, [Joshua] Simonds captured a musician, a boy fifer whose coat was closely buttoned, and fife projecting from it. This English fifer was but a child, and begged Simonds not to kill him. The militiaman discovered that the coat had been buttoned to staunch a fatal wound. The child was taken to an American farmhouse, and died a few days later.The citation for that paragraph and the preceding is "Simonds, 'The Affair in the Lexington Meetinghouse.'" Unfortunately, that source doesn't appear in the book's lists of first-person American accounts or local histories. Perhaps it sits unpublished in a local historical archive.
Joshua Simonds's willingness to blow up the Lexington meetinghouse was first described in Elias Phinney's History of the Battle of Lexington in 1825, so it seems reliable. Brown's book retold that story, citing Simonds's descendants, and another anecdote about a prisoner. However, Brown didn't go on to connect Simonds to the young fifer as Fischer's book did.
Gen. Thomas Gage listed one musician killed in the Battle of Lexington and Concord, one wounded (I don't know which regiments). Did those casualties include this young fifer? Did he die, as Fischer wrote, or survive, as Brown implied? Or is he entirely fictional?


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Friends of mine have barely gotten over the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD war, and I'm still stuck back in the 80's (remember when Betamax was struggling to be on top?) It's not that I don't
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Greg Walker is in his third season as the Braves' hitting coach in 2013. He previously served as the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox for eight-and-a-half seasons, from May 2003 through the 2011 season. He also worked as the hitting coach for Chicago's Triple-A Charlotte affiliate in 2002 and '03.
The 2013 Braves led the National League in home runs (181) and ranked second in the circuit in walks (542) and slugging percentage (.402).
Walker's presence was immediately felt in 2012, as Braves outfielder Jason Heyward had a resurgent campaign after playing through an injury-plagued sophomore season in 2011. Heyward played in a team-high 158 games and posted career highs in runs (93), doubles (30), home runs (27) and RBI (82), while also swiping a career-best 21 bases.
From the time of his promotion in 2003 through 2011, the White Sox ranked third in the majors in home runs (1,791) and seventh in slugging percentage (.430). The Sox hit 200-plus home runs in seven consecutive seasons from 2000-06, which tied the Major-League record (and was later broken by the Yankees, 2000-07).
In his first full season in 2004, the White Sox hit a franchise-record 242 home runs. In their World Championship season of 2005, the Sox ranked fourth in the American League with 200 home runs, but still led the league in sacrifice hits (53) and bunt hits (37) and ranked third in infield hits (156).
Walker was a member of the American League All-Star coaching staff in 2006, when the Sox led the majors in home runs (236), slugging percentage (.464) and batting average with runners in scoring position (.307), while ranking third in runs scored (868) and fifth in overall batting average (.280). The 2006 Sox also featured four players with 30-or-more home runs, making them just the third team in A.L. history to accomplish that feat.
Under Walker's guidance, the Sox again led the majors in home runs in 2008, with 235.
As a player, Walker posted a .260 career batting average with 113 home runs and 444 RBI in 855 games over a nine-year career (1982-90) with the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977 and was later chosen by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft in 1979.
Walker made his Major League debut with a pinch-hit single on September 16, 1982. In 1984 he posted a career-high .294 batting average, with 24 home runs and 75 RBI, followed by 24 homers and 92 RBI in 1985. He established career highs of 27 home runs and 94 RBI in 1987.
He led the A.L. in games played (163) in 1985 and annually ranked among the league leaders in fielding percentage by first basemen. On July 30, 1988, he suffered a life-threatening seizure during batting practice and missed the rest of the season. He returned to play in 77 games in 1989.
Walker was the White Sox 1986 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award and he received the Chicago Baseball Writers' "Good Guy" Award at their January 1990 Diamond Dinner.
Walker is a native of Douglas, Ga., and still makes his home there with his wife Carman. They have three daughters: Kaycee, Leigh Ann and Lauren. He played baseball and football at Coffee High School. He enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.


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Peter, who runs BON, claims he came across this picture when he Googled "Longhorns tailgate." But as one of his readers said in the comment section, "You must have accidentally typed in 'Longhorns tail.'"
P.S. Not that we didn't trust Peter, but we Googled it as well and indeed find this picture. Very impressive, 'Horns. Very impressive. Trust me, you don't get pictures like this when you Google "Michigan tailgate."
Benny, when are we gonna roadtrip to Austin? I'm just sayin'.


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'Pretty Little Liars' Recap: 'Love ShAck, Baby'
When we last left the cast of 'Pretty Little Liars,' Hanna (Ashley Benson) had revealed that she had Ali's (Sasha Pieterse) diary in her possession and that it could be the key to unlocking the secrets of their friend's disappearance.
But is delving into it more trouble for the liars than it's worth?
Hanna reveals to the girls that she didn't hand over the diary right away because it holds all their past secrets. Making it even more difficult to go through, the diary is cryptic, with real stories masquerading as fake ones to hide the real truth.
In order to suss out all the secrets of the diary, the girls plan to take turns reading it to locate their own stories and anything they can't identify will therefore be clues to help them find out why Ali is in hiding and from who.
While Hanna is still reeling from her breakup with Caleb (Tyler Blackburn), things heat up between Toby (Keegan Allen) and Spencer (Troian Bellisario), who are suspicious of her father (Nolan North) and his reasons for wanting to help Toby take down Radley, the local psychiatric institute who covered up the death of Toby's mom as a suicide.
After having a prophetic dream (or maybe not a dream -- this is 'Pretty Little Liars'), Emily (Shay Mitchell) delves into Ali's diary at school, where she is watched by a suspicious Ezra (Ian Harding). Inside the diary, Spencer finds a clue that leads to a bed and breakfast called the Busy Bee Inn, which they agree to look into after school. Hanna grabs the diary from Spencer and puts it in her bag while Mr. Fitz watches from the shadows.
At work, Emily receives a note which seems to be from Ali, telling Emily she wants to come home and to meet at their spot. Emily ends up waiting around as long as she can, leaving behind her "Emily" bracelet (a present from Ali) behind when her friend is a no-show.
Aria finds Ezra and tells him she can no longer meet up that night because she has to spend time with a now-single Hanna. When she leaves, Mr. Fitz puts in some headphones and listens to a message from a presumably distressed Ali saying she needs a way to not be Alison DiLaurentis anymore. Creepy.
At her house, Spencer overhears her dad and Mrs. DiLaurentis (Andrea Parker) discussing Jason (Drew Van Acker). When Spencer asks what they're talking about, they tell her that Mrs. S. is divorcing her husband and she wanted to tell Jason in person. Mr. Hastings then tells Spencer that Toby's mom's death was accidental and that another patient was involved. It wasn't a suicide, but it wasn't murder either.
An enraged Spencer leaves, locates Mrs. DiLaurentis and tells the older woman to stay away from her family and find another lawyer in town to take her divorce case.
Hanna runs into Travis (Luke Kleintank), who got her mother off those murder charges, and he informs her that the police have a lead on CeCe Drake (Vanessa Ray), who they now believe actually killed Wilden (Bryce Johnson).
Ezra goes to talk to Hanna (even though he knows she won't be home) and finds Mrs. Marin (Laura Leighton) instead. When the phone rings and Mrs. Marin gets distracted, Ezra sneaks upstairs to presumably look for the diary while the girls are on their road trip, but ends up on her laptop instead when he can't find the diary.
The girls are mysteriously led off-road when their GPS puts them in the wrong place and their car mysteriously dies. Even worse? It's raining and Travis, who owns a tow truck, is two-hours away. In their sticky predicament, Aria tells the girls her uncle has a cabin nearby. The only thing is, it's the secret cabin Ezra asked Aria to keep between them last week.
On the way to the cabin, Spencer mentions that a page has been ripped from the diary and Hanna gets antsy and strange about the question, even more so when Spencer mentions a story in the diary that references a cradle robber. Hanna eventually admits that the cradle robber story was about her and Aria's brother Mike (Cody Allen Christian) back when she was in the midst of her self-esteem issues. The girls tell Hanna they forgive her, and she admits that Caleb left her for someone else.
An upset Hanna wanders off followed by Emily, while Aria and Hanna end up trapped inside a storage room when the door is mysteriously locked from the outside. Emily and Hanna are able to break back in to save their friends and find that the diary has gone missing.
Back at home, Spencer is reprimanded by her father for talking to Mrs. DiLaurentis and warns her yet again to stay away from her half-brother's mother. Or else. In response, she packs her bags and goes to stay with Toby.
Emily tells Aria about her Ali dream and the note she received when the girls get a text with a picture of the Busy Bee Inn, thanking the girls for all their help. They quickly discern the message is from A, thanking them for their help in decoding the diary.
Back in A's lair, the diary lays on a desk while A restores the factory settings to the girls car, enabling it again -- having presumably hacked into it from Hanna's laptop in the first place. A, you are the worst.
Next week: Shana (Aeriel Miranda) returns to Rosewood with a message from Ali. Can she be trusted? Probably not.


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New Gang member Frances Haugen from Google, joined Marshall Breeding and myself for a discussion about one of the recent trends in computing and the Internet, Cloud Computing, and how it will influence libraries, especially in the light of recent announcements by OCLC.
To give us an introduction in to the topic, our guest this month has a background in libraries having been a colleague of mine at Talis for several years. Dr Paul Miller can now be found at Cloudofdata.com, working at the interface between the worlds of Cloud Computing and the Semantic Web, providing the insights that enable you to exploit the next wave as we approach the World Wide Database.
Paul provided us with an overview of what is meant by Cloud Computing, before the conversation moved on to the OCLC strategy to move library management services to Web scale. Interpreting the OCLC announcement, it is clear that it is a approach to deliver hosted library management services from the cloud in direct competition to the traditional ILS vendors such as SirsiDynix, Ex Libris, Innovative, Talis, and even those that OCLC have consumed over recent years.
Marshall shared with us the insight that in specifying the architecture for this initiative they had been working on a transaction rate sufficient to cope with the transactions of all libraries on the planet – an average of 5,000 per second.
This move from OCLC raises many questions and issues, not least of which is the potential impact on those traditional vendors. How comfortable libraries will be adding back-office and patron's personal data to the bibliographic data many already share with OCLC, being another one.
I'm certain that this will not be the only time that OCLC's announcement in particular and Cloud Computing in general will feature on the Gang. This month's conversation is a great introduction to these topics and issues around them.
Library 2.0 Gang 04/09 [00:54:12m]:Download


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St. Damijan Quarry
Archaeological sites of Rovinj
By Sandro on 04.07.2011
Monkodonjo The hill settlement of Monkodonjo is situated around 5 km east of Rovinj. The materials found in this settlement date back to the early and middle Bronze Age. Monkodonjo is one of the 350 hill settlements discovered in Istria to date. The settlement is surrounded by a wall almost 1 kilometer in length […]
Posted in ABOUT ROVINJ, Art & culture, Excursions, Featured2 | Tagged Archaeological sites, Archaeological sites of Rovinj, Castle Dvigrad, Dvigrad, Monkodonjo, Mušego, St. Damijan Quarry, Turnina Castel, Villa Rustica, archeological find, archeology


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Only hotels in Fort Lee - Paramus are listed below. Explore our guide for inexpensive and discount hotel/motel rates in or near Fort Lee - Paramus, NJ for your personal leisure or group travel. Discover the most popular Fort Lee - Paramus, New Jersey hotel and motel rooms. Browse the Fort Lee - Paramus area hotels to find the perfect lodging! Please use the provided map of the Fort Lee - Paramus hotels. Group booking? Search Fort Lee - Paramus Group Hotel Discounts
The Fort Lee - Paramus center point is about the area of The Outlets at Bergen Town Center and the area of Garden State Plaza.
The George Washington Bridge is in Fort Lee, NJ. The bridge will take you to New York City within 10 minutes & from there you can go to the 3 borrows.Fort lee has a beautiful park where you can see the Hudson River & the George Washington Bridge, in the summer days people come for the day to enjoy the view and relax. On the other hand Paramus is know for the shopping malls and a matter of fact Paramus mall is one of the biggest mall in New Jersey, so if you like to shop bring your sneaker for the day. The mall has plenty of restaurants, so after your shopping is done you can eat there.
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Research Centers & Institutes
The Automotive Research Experiment Station provides students with the distinctive opportunity to be involved in multidisciplinary research and characteristics of the nature of work within the automobile industry.
Founded with a mission of illuminating and harnessing the power of evolution in action to advance science and technology and benefit society. Research at BEACON focuses on biological evolution, digital evolution, and evolutionary applications in engineering, uniting biologists who study natural evolutionary processes with computer scientists and engineers who are harnessing these processes to solve real-world problems.
The Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) is the first and preeminent academic body focusing upon the complex global issues of anti-counterfeiting and product protection of all products, across all industries, in all markets on strategies to work effectively to detect, deter, and respond to the crime.
The Center for Innovation and Research has been created through a formal partnership agreement between Sparrow Health System and Michigan State University. It will bring together potential innovators between MSU and Sparrow and support the formation of partnerships within and beyond the boundaries of our separate systems. The MSU/Sparrow Center for Innovation and Research should be a hub for collaboration that fosters the creative spirit and encourages innovative thought. Not simply an office space, the Center should be seen as one that brings out the best in individuals and groups as they begin to identify problems, design new approaches, strategies, processes and technologies that address care problems and challenges. The Center will champion innovators to bring them to the point of care.
Composite materials are a new class of materials that combine two or more separate components into a form suitable for structural applications. While each component retains its identity, the new composite material displays macroscopic properties superior to its parent constituents, particularly in terms of mechanical properties and economic value.
A center of excellence for the design and testing of composite structures for light-weight, environment-friendly, durable and safe vehicles.
The Fraunhofer USA Center for Coatings and Diamond Technologies, in partnership with Michigan State University, provides innovative R&D services based on its expertise in coating and diamond technology.
Our mission is to apply cutting-edge research to help create a new generation of sustainable bioenergy feedstocks, processing technologies and fuels.