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ORLANDO, Fla. - During a news conference on Thursday, Magic center Dwight Howard said that loyalty to the team and to the city of Orlando drove his decision to stay for another year.
"I'm not like those guys that people try to pay me to be. I'm loyal,'' Howard said. "I just love this city too much. I want to win a championship."
Howard said it all came down to loyalty to a city and a team that took a chance on an 18-year-old high school kid eight years ago.
Howard signed papers Thursday agreeing to waive the early termination option in his contract, guaranteeing he will be with the Magic at the beginning of the 2012-13 season. His decision ends the season-long drama of whether he would be dealt prior to the trade deadline and before the Magic risked losing him in free agency.
The Magic center had the option of ending his five-year deal in July and entering the open market.
Howard called it an extremely difficult decision.
"I'm glad this is finally over," Howard said at a press conference to announce the new pact. "...It's not as easy as some people think. It's been very hard. We're talking a career-changing event. Most people don't see that. I'm very loyal and I've always put loyalty above anything."
Howard requested a trade in the preseason and maintained that stance until changing his mind this week and expressing a desire to remain in Orlando this season.
The move provides some temporary stability in what has been a tension-filled regular season for the Magic. Howard had requested to be traded and gave the Magic a list of three teams -- the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks -- that he wanted his agent to be allowed to talk to.
At the time Howard expressed frustration with Magic management and what he felt was an unwillingness to include him in personnel decisions or to improve the roster around him. He went as far as to praise the relationship he felt All-Star Dirk Nowitzki has with Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban.
Following those December revelations, a daily drama began trailing the Magic and upset a fan base that lived through Shaquille O'Neal leaving town to join the Lakers in 1996.
The soap opera included a very awkward All-Star weekend in Orlando last month. Talk centered on Howard and his plans for the summer of 2012. During the weekend, the 26-year-old center repeatedly stated his affinity for the only city he has played for during his eight NBA seasons.
He maintained that position until a surprise statement following the Magic's home victory over Miami Tuesday in which he pulled back his trade request, saying he wanted to stay in Orlando this season.
Howard said Thursday's decision was in part, to give the Magic a chance to win a NBA title. He said "he's all in" and ready to give the organization a full season to improve the roster going forward.
"Now we can get back to playing basketball and having some peace and trying to win a championship," said Howard, who said he went back and forth with his decision until after the Magic's loss to San Antonio Wednesday night. "I feel like we have a chance to win and I didn't feel like either one of us [he or the organization] should give that up."
Howard said he didn't think he'd had a full night's sleep since making his original trade demand. He offered an apology to Magic fans for the back-and-forth ordeal, but not for taking his due diligence to make it.
"There's no decision about your life that you're gonna make in one day or one hour," he said.
Magic general manager Otis Smith said the team was fully ready to trade their six-time All-Star before Thursday's deadline before he signed the waiver. He said the list of potential suitors included about six teams.
"It was real," Smith said of the possibility of dealing Howard. "We weren't rolling the dice."
Provisions in the league's new collective bargaining agreement give the Magic the ability to offer Howard $30 million more than any other team if he becomes a free agent. Orlando can offer him a five-year contract extension with 7.5 percent annual raises, while other teams are capped at offering a four-year pact with only 4.5 percent raises.
The Magic are 28-16 this season and seven games behind first-place Chicago. Howard is averaging 21.2 points and a career-best 15.2 rebounds. He passed Nick Anderson earlier this season as the Magic's all-time leader in points scored.
Magic CEO Alex Martins, who has been in that role only since the preseason, said that part of the process from his standpoint was building a new relationship with Howard that he didn't have before.
Now one of the Magic executives that will negotiate with Howard between now and the end of next season about him potentially signing a long-term deal, he said his focus will be on making Orlando what Howard needs it to be.
He said having seen O'Neal walk away in 1996 is on his mind but he, like Smith, were going to put the Magic first no matter what.
"History plays a role in everything...and we're gonna were not going to suffer the same thing we did in the mid-90s," he said. "But if Dwight made a different decision, we were prepared. Loyalty is hard to find; he's gotta be commended for the loyalty he's showing here."
Howard said his isn't concerned with the end of the next season.
"When the time comes we'll deal with it then," Howard said. "I have to put my trust in Alex and Otis ... I want to win a championship and that's the only thing that matters."


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Nasty Gal UNIF Forget It dress, vintage crochet fringe shawl, Mad Lady tribal cuff.ring, Ebay evil eye rings/bracelet, Beginning Boutique cage ring, vintage bangles, b-day BFF/stone necklace from Darine, H&M ankh evil eye necklace and random rings
Also does anyone watch Portlandia? Omgeez I could not stop singing "She's Making Jewelry Now" while making this headpiece for some reason! Check out the vid if you haven't...HILARIOUS and you know you have a friend like that too!

subset: commoncrawl


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Wangchen Jackie Chan, Wang Cheng-feng, this is the greatest expectations of
each parent of the child, and each family's education is also different to treat
their children. Some go with the flow, let the child free play; some are eager
child eager, demanding of their children.
Xiao Ming and Wang are at the same table, their parents treat their studies have different practices. Xiao-Ming achievements are excellent, parents want him to have a good future, so he was very young to learn, can not have the slightest error; Wang performance is not very good, although the parents are disappointed, but his parents still encouraged his studies. A test, Xiao Ming test out of the points, the parents are very happy, kissed Xiao Ming, let him take the next full score; Wang did not pass the test, the parents are angry, playing a slap in the king, let him take a good point the next test. Wait until the next test, Xiao Ming did not test to the perfect score, the parents beat him a slap in the face, and the Wang scores increased, the parents of his one!
Two pairs of parents to treat their children's achievements in different practices, we can see the different manifestations of contemporary education. As the saying goes, "the golden rule of a good person," this idea is not all right, too much of the parents of their children on academic rigor, will eventually be counterproductive, will only make children tired of learning, if the parents of children a little more care, encouragement, greetings, On the heavy school after the children is a good comfort, after all, each parent is coming from the child stage, have had the same feeling! This cartoon first points to the family education, meaning love and punishment and its function. In my opinion, the two are not the right hand, and two kisses are right. Careful analysis, 100 points to get the kiss is a high score earned, is love, but the content of love is relatively simple, so 98 points will have to suffer a slap in the face; 55 minutes of the hand is wrong, parents rude, but 61 points Kiss special warm, rich content of love, affection, there is encouragement, tolerance and wait. From the effect, 98 children suffer from the palm of the hand may be cautious, learning mentality has been greatly damaged, will enter the more rigid state of mechanical learning, and may even create the spirit is suppressed, the next test into 90 points or even lower Are possible. But the kiss can be 61 points to become a driving force to form a positive spirit, the child's psychology will be in a more relaxed and healthy state of health, the future may have a good development, the next test scores will be higher almost Is certain.


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Flag Day Celebration Saturday in Palmyra
The Stars and Stripes, the official National symbol of the United States of America was authorized by congress on June 14, 1777. On May 30, 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 Flag Day, a day of national celebration. This year, the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce will sponsor Flag Day in Palmyra!
Palmyra is one of the few towns that observes Flag Day. The celebration, always held on a Saturday, will be June 15, 2013, and will kick off with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade begins at the Palmyra High School parking lot & goes down Main Strett past the court house. Floats, marching units, vintage cars and trucks, local clubs and organizations, local royalty from pageants, and more will be marching with veterans in the parade. All local veterans are welcome to participate.
Following the parade there will be a Flag Raising Ceremony on the courthouse lawn by the VFW. Food booths will be set up by the Palmyra Jaycees on the side of the courthouse, and there will be a tractor exhibit by the Northriver Old Iron Club.
KICK-FM will provide music for the event. along with the local church singing at the flag dedicaiton ceremony


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Physical Sciences
Research Highlights
January 2010
The Science of Moving Protons in Catalytic Reactions
Check out the new website for the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis at PNNL
At the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, established by the Department of Energy in 2009, our scientists are striving to determine how to move protons efficiently in reactions needed for broader use of fuel cells and solar energy. In these reactions, fast, efficient catalysts are needed to turn sunlight and other energy sources into chemical fuels, and the reverse. All of the catalytic reactions being studied require the movement of multiple protons and electrons, and the focus is on finding efficient ways to accelerate proton movement. To learn more about this research and the people conducting it, visit the center's new website.
The new website contains information for the public, potential collaborators, and energy experts on our catalysis research and our team. The site contains biographies of our team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Penn State, the University of Washington, and the University of Wyoming. Also, the website describes the scientific challenges behind understanding proton relays in catalysts. Links to research to date are also available. Research updates, team accomplishments, and news will be available as the team tackles the challenge of proton movement.


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The Athletic Training Education Program at Fort Lewis College has voluntarily withdrawn their CAATE accreditation and is no longer admitting students. The date of voluntary withdrawal of accreditation coincides with the graduation of the last cohort in August 22, 2018.
Current students who have been formally accepted into the professional phase of the Athletic Training Education Program will be able to complete their degree at Fort Lewis College. Courses required by these students will continue to be taught through the 2017-2018 academic year. No new students can declare an Athletic Training major. Students not formally admitted to the professional phase of the Athletic Training Education Program will not be able to complete the degree program. Fort Lewis College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on Probation as of December 20, 2016 by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 87831-3101.
For students to earn a BA in Athletic Training, each must obtain 40 General Education Credits, 6 Free Elective Credits, and 74 Athletic Training Major Credits. A Suggested Course Sequence is provided to demonstrate an average 8 semester plan to guide students.
# Pre-requite course for application to professional phase of ATEP


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Dress up the bathroom and add practicality with a new shower rod. The shower rod is an essential component of any bathroom space, allowing the user to keep the bathroom floor water-free and adding privacy to the bathing process.
With these practical uses in mind, the shower curtain rod can also be adorable and decorative! Alno, Elite Home Fashions, and other name brand companies understand this combination, and they create shower rods that are durable, decorative and long-lasting. Enjoy a shower rod or finial rod in the finish of your choice, and match it to other bathroom hardware for a unifying look.
It's often the little details in the décor that make a large, overall difference. With the right brass shower rod, chrome shower rod, or other shower curtain rod choice, you'll be adding a lovely look to the overall décor of the bathroom – while, of course, enjoying a practical hardware selection.


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Part Two - September 4:
James Fallows
Michael Lewis
Part One - August 29:
James Fallows
Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis
is the author of several books, including the international bestsellers
Liar's Poker
The New New Thing
. He has been the American editor of the British weekly
The Spectator
and a senior editor at
The New Republic
. Currently a contributing writer for
The New York Times Magazine
, he lives in Berkeley with his wife, Tabitha Soren, and their daughter, Quinn.
James Fallows
The Atlantic
's national correspondent and the author of
Breaking the News: How the Media Undermine American Democracy
(1996) and of
Free Flight: From Airline Hell to a New Age of Travel,
published this month. To learn about his new book and look through an archive of his recent articles, visit
Previously in Fallows@large:
The Waste Land
(June 21, 2001)
An e-mail exchange with Alex Kerr, author of
Dogs and Demons.
Working Classes
(May 2, 2001)
An e-mail exchange with Barbara Ehrenreich, author of
Nickel and Dimed.
The Work of Words
(February 21, 2001)
An e-mail exchange with Christopher Hitchens, author of
Unacknowledged Legislation
and would-be prosecutor of Henry Kissinger.
by James Fallows
on books
on technology
Join the conversation in


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Drug, any chemical substance that affects the functioning of living things and the organisms (such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that infect them. Pharmacology, the science of drugs, deals with all aspects of drugs in medicine, including their mechanism of action, physical and chemical properties, metabolism, therapeutics, and toxicity. This article focuses on the principles of drug action and includes an overview of the different types of drugs that are used in the treatment and prevention of human diseases. For a discussion of the nonmedical use of drugs, see drug use.
Until the mid-19th century the approach to drug therapeutics was entirely empirical. This thinking changed when the mechanism of drug action began to be analyzed in physiological terms and when some of the first chemical analyses of naturally occurring drugs were performed. The end of the 19th century signaled the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and the production of the first synthetic drugs. Chemical synthesis has become the most important source of therapeutic drugs. A number of therapeutic proteins, including certain antibodies, have been developed through genetic engineering.
Drugs produce harmful as well as beneficial effects, and decisions about when and how to use them therapeutically always involve the balancing of benefits and risks. Drugs approved for human use are divided into those available only with a prescription and those that can be bought freely over the counter. The availability of drugs for medical use is regulated by law.
Drug treatment is the most frequently used type of therapeutic intervention in medicine. Its power and versatility derive from the fact that the human body relies extensively on chemical communication systems to achieve integrated function between billions of separate cells. The body is therefore highly susceptible to the calculated chemical subversion of parts of this communication network that occurs when drugs are administered.
Principles of drug action
With very few exceptions, in order for a drug to affect the function of a cell, an interaction at the molecular level must occur between the drug and some target component of the cell. In most cases the interaction consists of a loose, reversible binding of the drug molecule, although some drugs can form strong chemical bonds with their target sites, resulting in long-lasting effects. Three types of target molecules can be distinguished: (1) receptors, (2) macromolecules that have specific cellular functions, such as enzymes, transport molecules, and nucleic acids, and (3) membrane lipids.
Receptors are protein molecules that recognize and respond to the body's own (endogenous) chemical messengers, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Drug molecules may combine with receptors to initiate a series of physiological and biochemical changes. Receptor-mediated drug effects involve two distinct processes: binding, which is the formation of the drug-receptor complex, and receptor activation, which moderates the effect. The term affinity describes the tendency of a drug to bind to a receptor; efficacy (sometimes called intrinsic activity) describes the ability of the drug-receptor complex to produce a physiological response. Together, the affinity and the efficacy of a drug determine its potency.
Differences in efficacy determine whether a drug that binds to a receptor is classified as an agonist or as an antagonist. A drug whose efficacy and affinity are sufficient for it to be able to bind to a receptor and affect cell function is an agonist. A drug with the affinity to bind to a receptor but without the efficacy to elicit a response is an antagonist. After binding to a receptor, an antagonist can block the effect of an agonist.
The degree of binding of a drug to a receptor can be measured directly by the use of radioactively labeled drugs or inferred indirectly from measurements of the biological effects of agonists and antagonists. Such measurements have shown that the following reaction generally obeys the law of mass action in its simplest form: drug + receptor ⇌ drug-receptor complex. Thus, there is a relationship between the concentration of a drug and the amount of drug-receptor complex formed.
The structure-activity relationship describes the connection between chemical structure and biological effect. Such a relationship explains the efficacies of various drugs and has led to the development of newer drugs with specific mechanisms of action. The contribution of the British pharmacologist Sir James Black to this field led to the development, first, of drugs that selectively block the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine on the heart (beta blockers, or beta-adrenergic blocking agents) and, second, of drugs that block the effect of histamine on the stomach (H2-blocking agents), both of which are of major therapeutic importance.
Receptors for many hormones and neurotransmitters have been isolated and biochemically characterized. All these receptors are proteins, and most are incorporated into the cell membrane in such a way that the binding region faces the exterior of the cell. This allows the endogenous chemicals freer access to the cell. Receptors for steroid hormones (e.g., hydrocortisones and estrogens) differ in being located in the cell nucleus and therefore being accessible only to molecules that can enter the cell across the membrane.
Once the drug has bound to the receptor, certain intermediate processes must take place before the drug effect is measurable. Various mechanisms are known to be involved in the processes between receptor activation and the cellular response (also called receptor-effector coupling). Among the most important ones are the following: (1) direct control of ion channels in the cell membrane, (2) regulation of cellular activity by way of intracellular chemical signals, such as cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP), inositol phosphates, or calcium ions, and (3) regulation of gene expression.
In the first type of mechanism, the ion channel is part of the same protein complex as the receptor, and no biochemical intermediates are involved. Receptor activation briefly opens the transmembrane ion channel, and the resulting flow of ions across the membrane causes a change in the transmembrane potential of the cell that leads to the initiation or inhibition of electrical impulses. Such mechanisms are common for neurotransmitters that act very rapidly. Examples include the receptors for acetylcholine and for other fast excitatory or inhibitory transmitter substances in the nervous system, such as glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
In the second mechanism, chemical reactions that take place within the cell trigger a series of responses. The receptor may control calcium influx through the outer cell membrane, thereby altering the concentration of free calcium ions within the cell, or it may control the catalytic activity of one or more membrane-bound enzymes. One of these enzymes is adenylate cyclase, which catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the cell to cAMP, which in turn binds to and activates intracellular enzymes that catalyze the attachment of phosphate groups to other functional proteins; these may be involved in a wide variety of intracellular processes, such as muscle contraction, cell division, and membrane permeability to ions. A second receptor-controlled enzyme is phosphodiesterase, which catalyzes the cleavage of a membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, releasing the intracellular messenger inositol triphosphate. This substance in turn releases calcium from intracellular stores, thus raising the free calcium ion concentration. Regulation of the concentration of free calcium ions is important because, like cAMP, calcium ions control many cellular functions. (For more information on intracellular signaling molecules, see second messenger and kinase.)
In the third type of mechanism, which is peculiar to steroid hormones and related drugs, the steroid binds to a receptor that consists primarily of nuclear proteins. Because this interaction occurs inside the cell, agonists for this receptor must be able to cross the cell membrane. The drug-receptor complex acts on specific regions of the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the cell nucleus, resulting in an increased rate of synthesis for some proteins and a decreased rate for others. Steroids generally act much more slowly (hours to days) than agents that act by either of the two other mechanisms.
Many receptor-mediated events show the phenomenon of desensitization, which means that continued or repeated administration of a drug produces a progressively smaller effect. Among the complex mechanisms involved are conversion of the receptors to a refractory (unresponsive) state in the presence of an agonist, so that activation cannot occur, or the removal of receptors from the cell membrane (down-regulation) after prolonged exposure to an agonist. Desensitization is a reversible process, although it can take hours or days for receptors to recover after down-regulation. The converse process (up-regulation) occurs in some instances when receptor antagonists are administered. These adaptive responses are undoubtedly important when drugs are given over a period of time, and they may account partly for the phenomenon of tolerance (an increase in the dose needed to produce a given effect) that occurs in the therapeutic use of some drugs.
Functional macromolecules
Many drugs work not by combining with specific receptors but by binding to other proteins, particularly enzymes and transport proteins. For example, physostigmine inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which inactivates the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, thereby prolonging and enhancing its actions; allopurinol inhibits an enzyme that forms uric acid and is used therefore in treating gout. Transport proteins are important in many processes, and they may be targets for drug action. For example, some antidepressant drugs work by blocking the uptake of norepinephrine or serotonin by nerve terminals.
Membrane lipids
Some drugs produce their effects by interaction with membrane lipids. A drug of this type is the antifungal agent amphotericin B, which binds to a specific molecule (ergosterol) found in fungal cells. This binding results in the formation of pores in the membrane and leakage of intracellular components, leading to death of the cell.
Other types of drug action
Certain drugs act without engaging in any direct interaction with the components of the cell. An example is mannitol, an inert polysaccharide that acts purely by its osmotic effect. This drug increases urine production markedly because it interferes with water reabsorption by the kidney tubule. Another example is magnesium sulfate, which works similarly in the intestine and has a cathartic effect.
Fate of drugs in the body
Dose-response relationship
The effect produced by a drug varies with the concentration that is present at its site of action and usually approaches a maximum value beyond which a further increase in concentration is no more effective. A useful measure is the median effective dose, ED50, which is defined as the dose producing a response that is 50 percent of the maximum obtainable. ED50 values provide a useful way of comparing the potencies of drugs that produce physiologically similar effects at different concentrations. Sometimes the response is measured in terms of the proportion of individuals in a sample population that show a given all-or-nothing response (e.g., loss of reaction to a painful stimulus or appearance of convulsions) rather than as a continuously graded response; as such, the ED50 represents the dose that causes 50 percent of a sample population to respond. Similar measurements can be used as a rough estimate of drug toxicity, the result being expressed as the median lethal dose (LD50), which is defined as the dose causing mortality in 50 percent of a group of animals.
When a drug is used therapeutically, it is important to understand the margin of safety that exists between the dose needed for the desired effect and the dose that produces unwanted and possibly dangerous side effects. This relationship, known as the therapeutic index, is defined as the ratio LD50:ED50. In general, the narrower this margin, the more likely it is that the drug will produce unwanted effects. The therapeutic index has many limitations, notably the fact that LD50 cannot be measured in humans and, when measured in animals, is a poor guide to the likelihood of unwanted effects in humans. Nevertheless, the therapeutic index emphasizes the importance of the margin of safety, as distinct from the potency, in determining the usefulness of a drug.
Variability in response
The response to a given dose of a drug is likely to vary when it is given to different persons or to the same person on different occasions. This is a serious problem, for it can result in a normally effective dose of a drug being ineffective or toxic in other circumstances. Many factors are known to contribute to this variability; some important ones are age, genetics, absorption, disease states, drug interactions, and drug intolerance.
Adverse effects
No drug is wholly nontoxic or completely safe. Adverse effects can range from minor reactions, such as dizziness or skin reactions, to serious and even fatal effects. Adverse reactions can be divided broadly into effects that result from an exaggeration of the basic action of the drug, which can usually be controlled by reducing the dosage, and effects that are unrelated to the basic action of the drug and occur in only a small proportion of individuals, irrespective of the dose given. Effects of the latter type are known as idiosyncratic effects and include some very severe reactions, such as sudden cardiovascular collapse or irreversible suppression of blood cell production. Some reactions of this type have an allergic basis. Toxic effects of this kind, though rare, are unpredictable and sometimes highly dangerous, and they severely limit the usefulness of many effective drugs. Drugs can produce other kinds of unwanted effects, such as interference with fetal development (teratogenesis) or long-term genetic damage that may make a person susceptible to the development of cancer.
The sporadic and delayed nature of many adverse drug reactions and the fact that they may not be predictable from animal tests pose serious practical problems. Often such effects are, and indeed can only be, discovered after a drug has been used in humans for some time.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
In order to produce an effect, a drug must reach its target site in adequate concentration. This involves several processes embraced by the general term pharmacokinetics. In general, these processes are: (1) administration of the drug, (2) absorption from the site of administration into the bloodstream, (3) distribution to other parts of the body, including the target site, (4) metabolic alteration of the drug, and (5) excretion of the drug or its metabolites.
An important step in all these processes is the movement of drug molecules through cellular barriers (e.g., the intestinal wall, the walls of blood vessels, the barrier between the bloodstream and the brain, and the wall of the kidney tubule), which constitute the main restriction to the free dissemination of drug molecules throughout the body. To cross most of these barriers, the drug must be able to move through the lipid layer of the cell membrane. Drugs that are highly lipid-soluble do this readily; hence, they are rapidly absorbed from the intestine and quickly reach most tissues of the body, including the brain. They readily enter liver cells (one of the main sites of drug metabolism) and are consequently liable to be rapidly metabolized and inactivated. They can also cross the renal tubule easily and thus tend to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream rather than being excreted in the urine.
Non-lipid-soluble drugs (e.g., many neuromuscular blocking drugs) behave differently because they cannot easily enter cells. Therefore, they are not absorbed from the intestine, and they do not enter the brain. Because they may escape metabolic degradation in the liver, they are excreted unchanged in the urine. Certain of these drugs cross cell membranes, particularly in the liver and kidney, with the help of special transport systems, which can be important factors in determining the rate at which drugs are metabolized and excreted.
Drugs are given by two general methods: enteral and parenteral administration. Enteral administration involves the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines (i.e., the gastrointestinal tract). Methods of administration include oral, sublingual (dissolving the drug under the tongue), and rectal. Parenteral routes, which do not involve the gastrointestinal tract, include intravenous (injection into a vein), subcutaneous (injection under the skin), intramuscular (injection into a muscle), inhalation (infusion through the lungs), and percutaneous (absorption through intact skin).
After oral administration of a drug, absorption into the bloodstream occurs in the stomach and intestine, which usually takes about one to six hours. The rate of absorption depends on factors such as the presence of food in the intestine, the particle size of the drug preparation, and the acidity of intestinal contents. Intravenous administration of a drug can result in effects within a few seconds, making this a useful method for emergency treatment. Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection usually produces effects within a few minutes, depending largely on the local blood flow at the site of the injection. Inhalation of volatile or gaseous agents also produces effects in a matter of minutes and is mainly used for anesthetic agents.
The bloodstream carries drugs from the site of absorption to the target site and also to sites of metabolism or excretion, such as the liver, the kidneys, and in some cases the lungs. Many drugs are bound to plasma proteins, and in some cases more than 90 percent of the drug present in the plasma is bound in this way. This bound fraction is inert. Protein binding reduces the overall potency of a drug and provides a reservoir to maintain the level of the active drug in blood plasma. To pass from the bloodstream to the target site, drug molecules must cross the walls of blood capillaries. This occurs rapidly in most regions of the body. The capillary walls of the brain and spinal cord, however, are relatively impermeable, and in general only drugs that are highly lipid-soluble enter the brain in any appreciable concentration.
In order to alter or stop a drug's biological activity and prepare it to be eliminated from the body, it must undergo one of many different kinds of chemical transformations. One particularly important site for these actions is the liver. Metabolic reactions in the liver are catalyzed by enzymes located on a system of intracellular membranes known as the endoplasmic reticulum. In most cases the resultant metabolites are less active than the parent drug; however, there are instances where the metabolite is as active as, or even more active than, the parent. In some cases the toxic effects of drugs are produced by metabolites rather than the parent drug.
Many different kinds of reactions are catalyzed by drug-metabolizing enzymes, including oxidation, reduction, the addition or removal of chemical groups, and the splitting of labile (chemically unstable) bonds. The product is often less lipid-soluble than the parent and is consequently excreted in the urine more rapidly. Many of the causes of variability in drug responses reflect variations in the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Competition for the same drug-metabolizing enzyme is also the source of a number of drug interactions.
The main route of drug excretion is through the kidneys; however, volatile and gaseous agents are excreted by the lungs. Small quantities of drugs may pass into sweat, saliva, and breast milk, the latter being potentially important in breast-feeding mothers. Although some drugs are excreted mainly unchanged into the urine, most are metabolized first. The first stage in excretion involves passive filtration of plasma through structures in the kidneys called glomeruli, through which drug molecules pass freely. The drug thus reaches the renal tubule, where it may be actively or passively reabsorbed, or it may pass through into the urine. Many factors affect the rate of renal excretion of drugs, important ones being binding to plasma proteins (which impedes their passage through the glomerular filter) and urinary acidity (which can affect the rate of passive reabsorption of the drug by altering the state of its ionization).
Time course of drug action
The rise and fall of the concentration of a drug in the blood plasma over time determines the course of action for most drugs. If a drug is given orally, two phases can be distinguished: the absorption phase, leading to a peak in plasma concentration, and the elimination phase, which occurs as the drug is metabolized or excreted.
For therapeutic purposes, it is often necessary to maintain the plasma concentration within certain limits over a period of time. If the plasma half-life (t1/2)—the time it takes for the plasma concentration to fall to 50 percent of its starting value—is long, doses can be given at relatively long intervals (e.g., once per day), but if the t1/2 is short (less than about 24 hours), more frequent doses will be necessary.


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Where to dine like a celebrity
From the hottest brunch spots to the best cocktails in town, and from vegan breakfasts to the finest steak houses, Maxwell Williams shares the best places to dine like a star in LA.
Welcome to the City of Dreams
Flight time from London
10 hrs 20 mins
Distance from London
5,327 miles
From the moment you book your trip, the excitement and anticipation of an adventure starts to build. And when you book flights to Los Angeles with British Airways, you can be sure you'll be taken care of from the moment you step onto the plane to the moment you arrive in LA.
Whether you're booking an LA holiday or a flight to Los Angeles, with British Airways you can expect great service every time. Our helpful BA cabin crew are always on hand to ensure your flight experience is as comfortable and as stress-free as it can be, from the start of your flight to touchdown – when you get to embark on your discovery of one of California's most exciting cities.
With five direct flights to LA daily from London Heathrow, you can touch down in LA at a time that suits you and your all-important travel plans.
So, whether you're travelling solo and looking to hit the town as soon as you land, or have the family in tow and want to ensure everyone arrives happy, our LA flights are perfect for everyone.
Read our Los Angeles travel guides for more inspiration on what to do once you arrive.
Secure your holiday with a low deposit and flexible installments – you can decide when you make the payments and how much they are.
Thanks to its year-round mild climate, LA makes for a popular destination with millions of visitors at all times. However, the months of June, July and August are particularly busy times for LA tourism, so fares can be higher during that period. To find our cheapest flights to Los Angeles, use our lowest fare finder.
You can touch down in just over 11 hours. British Airways operates up to five direct flights to LA a day: fly from London Heathrow to Los Angeles International (LAX).
Los Angeles International Airport is situated in the west of the LA area and the best way to get anywhere in this city is by car. This really is a city built around the car and most places you visit will have ample parking spaces, including restaurants and shops, which often have valet parking.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminals at LAX and the cost to Hollywood is around $50 (don't forget there is a $4 airport surcharge on taxis). A no-reservation-required bus, the LAX FlyAway, runs from the airport to various destinations including Hollywood, Union Station in Downtown and Long Beach. A one-way ticket is just under $10.
To make your trip even easier, why not pre-book your shuttle or private transfer with us before you travel? Simply add it to you booking when prompted.
For more tips and advice on travelling in and around LA, check out our travel guide
If you're travelling on a British passport, there's no need to get a visa in advance – but you do need to apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before you travel. There is a $14 fee for registration and, once approved, your ESTA is valid for multiple journeys for two years or until your passport expires.Find out more about visa requirements
Which cabins can I book when I fly to Los Angeles?
Our economy (World Traveller) cabins are great value for those looking for cheap flights to Los Angeles. You can select your seats in advance for an extra fee – the quieter seats are towards the front of the plane, while those directly above the wings reduce the intensity of turbulence. Choose to fly with hand baggage only or pick a price that includes a 23kg checked baggage allowance and free seat selection 24 hours before you fly.
Premium economy (World Traveller Plus) gives you more legroom and a smaller, more private cabin.
Our business (Club World) and First cabins have fully flat beds for total comfort.
Where to stay in LA
Wherever you want to stay and whatever type of hotel you are looking for, from the hippest Hollywood hangout to the classic luxury of Downtown, beside the beach or near a local attraction, our carefully chosen Los Angeles hotels suit every budget.Find a Los Angeles hotel
Things to do in LA
While you're in Los Angeles, why not take your cue from the locals and treat yourself to some healthy living: get down to Venice Beach and Santa Monica's iconic Muscle Gym; check out the many health food restaurants; and visit the new breed of vegan cafés and juice bars dotted all over the city.Things to do in LA
What to eat in LA
Los Angeles has a great foodie scene, but instead of being table-bound, sometimes all you want is food on the go, standing in the glorious LA sunshine. Eve Barlow has tracked down the best food trucks in the city – from ethically sourced fried chicken wraps, the best bagels in town and tacos worth travelling for.LA's best food trucks
Our Los Angeles hints and tips will have you feeling like a local in no time
Tipping is customary in the USA. Bar tenders, hotel staff and doormen usually expect $1-$2, while an additional 15-20 per cent should be added to restaurant bills and cab rides.
Hire a car or take cabs (there are several taxi apps and pre-book cab companies including Beverly Hills Cab and the Yellow Cab Company). There are also buses and trains.
Head to Mulholland Drive and get a selfie under the iconic Hollywood sign, or indulge your starstruck side and visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
It's the hottest, lowestand driest national parkin the United States


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If words could really hurt you, this forum would be one huge abbatoir.
I'd like PD dudes' thoughts here, particularly the older ones who've had the chance to watch the standard change
how body wars affect men
I've known a lot of skinny guys who wish that they had more muscle mass, and some of those go to the gym to attempt to gain muscle.
^ yeah intweresting that. My girl told me a couple of times that she "couldn't be with someone shorter than herself" Not sure whether that is something imposed by the media/society, she explains it to me as "it just does not feel right" .It's not that she does not find guys attractive because of their shortness, but more of a practical thing , like "i can't kiss the guy when wearing my heels , without dropping down to his level" maybe underneath all its as simple as an instinctive : "if he isn't bigger than me he could not possibly defend/protect me"On the other end, i never quite understood waht is supposed to be so attractive in tall and long-legged women...but wouldn't have a problem with women towering over me either.
There's always ONE ideal. In the 19th century it allowed for a little chubbiness, but corseted. Then flappers, bombshell, Twiggy, hardbelly gym rat and finally today's skinny or hourglass ok, but with fake boobs. Not just big, but fake. They have to look like those bumper guards on old cars. Ya can't win.
I am briefly breaking my no web Wednesdays policy in order to say two things:A) I'm interested in what you guys think about the normalization of plastic surgery in relation to ageism, which is also something Maine discusses. She says that plastic surgery use to be reserved for only ageing movie stars, but starting sometime in the nineties it shifted away from that and into something that a lot of people get. Women were still (and continue to be probably) the primary consumers, but men were increasingly getting plastic surgery as well , particularly hair implants and facelifts.all of this was in response to the fear of getting older and what that means for your economic and social capital because our society has not responded yet to the fact that people are living longer and longer.Have the older members of PD observed the shift as well? I know that I don't particularly think anything about people who get plastic surgery and sfaic, it's just one of those things that people sometimes do, but I'm also one of the younger members of the form and it's just something I grew up with.Do my fellow youngsters fear growing old, not because they are afraid of what it means for the body but because of what it means for them socially?B) There's a bunch of books that I wanted to talk about, including the next one I had thought to talk about, Punishment for Sale, and if you want to be able to read along or whatever please pm me and I will link you to the download tomorrow or Friday, depending on when I can get online.(also, I wanted to make it clear that this thread is for anyone who finds something they want to talk about)
As a neuroscientist I have to disagree with the perception that anyone is doing mathematical modeling of cognitive intelligence, yet; intelligence as an economist defines it, yes, but economists are worlds away from actual cognition.
I kind of a similar thing, actually, in that I prefer dudes who are my height or taller, and I'm about five foot eight or so, so that's average (American) dudes and up. It's most likely a result of acculturation (because I don't have that rule for females/women), so its something I should probably think about.


text: hi, can't access phpmyadmin anymore - openening the URL https://123.4.567.891:50443/phpmyadmin/ returns blank page. open_basedir entries in ISPConfig haven't been changed either. apache error log outputs: PHP Warning: Unknown: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/usr/share/phpmyadmin/index.php) is not within the allowed path(s): (/usr/share/php:/usr/l$ PHP Warning: Unknown: failed to open stream: Operation not permitted in Unknown on line 0 PHP Fatal error: Unknown: Failed opening required '/usr/share/phpmyadmin/index.php' (include_path='.') in Unknown on line 0 was reading lot of forum posts here but nothing has helped to resolve. anyone any ideas? thx


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Buyer Representation
Where Do I Go Next?
Home Buying Process
While every home buying experience is personalized based upon specific needs, we have provided a general guideline of key steps in the process.
Why GARDNER REALTORS
Why GARDNER? Because we CARE... Customers Are Really Everything! We want to make your home and investment dreams come true.


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Story highlights
- Google adds social, personal content to its search results
- Change is called the "most radical ever" by a prominent search-engine blogger
- The update incorporates more data and photos from Google+
- Google is trying to promote its social network and compete with Facebook
Google search is about to get way more personal.
In a change that's been called the "most radical transformation ever" to Google's search engine, the Mountain View, California, company on Tuesday announced an update called "Search, plus Your World," which causes Google's robots to incorporate data from its social network as well as the public Internet when delivering search results to people.
"Search is pretty amazing at finding that one needle in a haystack of billions of Web pages, images, videos, news and much more," Google said in a blog post on Tuesday morning.
"But clearly, that isn't enough. You should also be able to find your own stuff on the Web, the people you know and things they've shared with you, as well as the people you don't know but might want to ... all from one search box."
The company added: "Search is simply better with your world in it."
On the prominent blog Search Engine Land, Danny Sullivan writes that the updates fundamentally change the way Google's search engine functions, calling it the "most radical" change ever.
"The new system will perhaps make life much easier for some people, allowing them to find both privately shared content from friends and family plus material from across the Web through a single search, rather than having to search twice using two different systems," he writes.
"However, Search Plus Your World may cause some privacy worries, as private content may appear as if it is exposed publicly (it is not). It might also cause concern by making private content more visible to friends and family than those sharing may have initially intended."
On the blog Tech Crunch, Jason Kincaid gives an example search to help explain the changes.
Say you were to Google "Harry Potter," he writes.
"For most people, this would probably pull up links to the books, the films, and a variety of fan sites. For this intrepid reporter, though, the results would also include my Picasa album shot at a Harry Potter premiere a few years back (and labeled as such). These images would pop up both in the main search results page, and in Google Images results. Likewise, any blog posts my friends had shared on Google+ about the boy wizard would show up in my results, too."
It's worth noting that Google users who don't like these new personal results can turn them off.
A toggle switch that controls personal results should appear in the upper right corner of a search results page, the company says. Click "no personal results" to avoid seeing the social content.
The social search results started rolling out on Tuesday but may not be visible to all users. Google says the social search applies, for now, only to people who are signed in to Google.com and are searching in English.
The update causes Google to surface material that is specifically related to the person who is searching. So my search results won't be the same as yours, if I'm signed in to Google. Things my friends have posted on Google+ and Picasa will show up in the results as well, as long as they have entered caption info about their photos.
Google+ profile and topic pages also will get better play in search results after the change.
Miguel Helft, a senior writer at Fortune, which is a CNN.com partner website, says the change has the bonus effect for Google of giving lots and lots of exposure to its social network, Google+, which is aimed to be a direct competitor to Facebook.
"The change will expose Google+ profiles, as well as posts and photographs uploaded to the network, to hundreds of millions of search users whether or not they have Google+ accounts. In many cases, the changes will push content from other sites, including Facebook, further down on the search results pages," he writes on Fortune.com.
Helft adds that social search has long been a "holy grail" in tech.
"Facebook has been working with Microsoft to allow that company's search engine, Bing, to surface more personalized content," he writes. "And the Facebook platform has allowed countless services, like Yelp, Pandora and Spotify, to become more personal by showing users content that is relevant to their Facebook friends."
But the change is also likely to upset competitors who complain that Google gives preferential treatment to content from its own products -- from Google+ to YouTube, he writes.


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Since the mid 1990s the music of composer Julia Werntz has been almost exclusively microtonal. Through her music, her published writings, her teaching, and her activities as artistic director of the Boston Microtonal Society, she has emerged as an important voice in the field of microtonal music. Her compositions have been performed at concert series and festivals around the Northeastern United States and Europe, such as the Tage für Neue Musik at the Darmstadt Akademie für Tonkunst, the Stockholm New Music Festival, the Week of Contemporary Music, Bucharest, the Here/Now Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, the UK Microfest, the BKA Theater in Berlin, New York's Vision Festival, June in Buffalo, Enchanted Circle, Extension Works, and the Auros Group for New Music, Firebird Ensemble, Prana Duo, DuoKaya, Loadbang and NotaRiotous series. She has twice been a fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
Werntz has published articles on microtonal and other contemporary music in Perspectives of New Music, The Sonneck Society Bulletin, ParisTransatlantic, NewMusicBox, and New World Records. She is co-founder of NotaRiotous, the chamber ensemble of the Boston Microtonal Society.
B.M., New England Conservatory. Ph.D., composition and theory, Brandeis University. Studies with Joseph Maneri. Also faculty of Northeastern University. Recordings on Capstone Records.


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Still Shining
David Hilfiker is a retired inner-city physician and writer on poverty and politics who has Alzheimer's. He writes about his experience, with the hope of helping "dispel some of the fear and embarrassment" that surrounds this disease, on his blog "Watching the Lights Go Out." www.davidhilfiker.blogspot.com
Laura Mvula is a British, classically trained musician, songwriter, and former choir director whose debut album,Sing to the Moon,is a lush fusion of soul, jazz, gospel, and pop. While not overtly "about" faith, her arrangements are imbued with spiritual longing and visions of beauty. Columbia
Engineered Grief
High Rise Stories: Voices from Chicago Public Housing, compiled and edited by Audrey Petty, is the latest oral history collection from the Voice of Witness imprint of McSweeney's Books. Those most affected tell of the toll exacted by poverty and misguided housing policies. voiceofwitness.org
Stages of Change
Just out on digital release, the documentary Walk with Me follows three women artists and activists who take theater to prisons, community centers, and schools. It is a celebration of art as a means of creative social change and lifting human dignity. www.walkwithmethemovie.com


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NEW YORK—Despite Roger Clemens' victory last year in his perjury case, a defamation lawsuit filed against the former pitching ace nearly four years ago in federal court in Brooklyn is threatening to keep alive allegations he used steroids and cheated on his wife.
A magistrate judge in the civil case last week ordered lawyers for Clemens to turn over government documents to the plaintiff, former strength coach Brian McNamee, including 22 FBI reports and notes from an Internal Revenue Service agent that refer to Clemens' alleged affairs. A status conference in the case is scheduled for Wednesday.
Judge Cheryl Pollak wrote that adultery "is not usually found to be probative of a witness' character for truthfulness or untruthfulness." But, she added, lawyers for McNamee "might be able to cross-examine Mr. Clemens about instances in which he allegedly lied about his relationships since, in that case, the basis for impeachment would be dishonesty."
Given "the sensitive nature" of the FBI reports and IRS notes, Pollak said they could be filed under a protective order that would keep them private for now.
Lawyers representing Clemens in the civil case had sought to withhold more than 1,600 pages of documents from the government's criminal probe on the basis they were grand jury material. However, the judge found that much of the material — including bank statements, letters and business records — should be turned over to the plaintiffs, saying that "documents produced in response to federal grand jury subpoenas does not automatically shield them from disclosure."
The 2009 suit alleges Clemens launched an "intense and co-ordinated public relations offensive" against McNamee after the trainer told federal investigators and Congress that he injected Clemens more than a dozen times with steroids and human growth hormone from 1998 through 2001.
The lawsuit quotes Clemens saying in a YouTube video in 2007 that McNamee "did not inject steroids into my body either when I played in Toronto for the Blue Jays or the New York Yankees." It also cites an interview with ESPN in May in which Clemens, when asked about McNamee, responded that it was a case of "somebody out there that is really crawling up your back to make a buck."
McNamee called Clemens a "pathological liar" in a story published Sunday in the New York Daily News.
"Steroid abuse was rampant in Major League Baseball and he was the father of it," McNamee said.
There was no immediate response to messages left Sunday with attorneys on both sides of the dispute. It was unclear if Clemens, most recently a spring training instructor for the Houston Astros, would attend this week's court hearing.
Last year, a Washington jury found the seven-time Cy Young Award winner not guilty of lying to Congress about steroids and human growth hormone. At a 2008 congressional hearing he had adamantly denied using either substance.
The prosecution's case at a two-month trial had relied heavily on the testimony of McNamee, who told jurors he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH many times. But the defence sought to show how McNamee's story evolved over time, and there was no one else to claim firsthand knowledge of Clemens' drug use.
Former country music star Mindy McCready, who died this year, made headlines in April 2008 when she claimed a longtime relationship with Clemens. Published reports at the time said she met the pitcher at a Florida karaoke bar when she was 15 and he was 28 and married. Clemens has denied the relationship.


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California Department of Transportation
Date: June 5, 2013
District: 6
Contact: Jose Camarena
Phone: (559) 488-4067
FRESNO – Caltrans has awarded nearly $250 million to improve public transit and air quality across California. One-hundred twenty-seven projects will upgrade transit service, purchase eco-friendly buses, modernize transit stations, and create jobs throughout the state.
"These projects give Californians a viable alternative to using their cars," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Public transit reduces traffic congestion and protects the environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions."
The funding comes from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, which is providing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period to improve public transit in California. To date, Proposition 1B has provided more than $2 billion in funding to nearly 900 transit projects statewide, with 340 completed.
Some of the notable projects awarded Proposition 1B funding include:
Fresno County:
- $459,000 to the City of Clovis Transit Agency for the purchase of two new clean diesel buses and three new small buses or wheelchair accessible vans replacing aging less efficient vehicles.
- An allocation of $100,000 to the City of Clovis for improvements to bus stops located throughout the city; improving mobility and safety for the public.
- An allocation of $4.3 million to the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency to purchase 24-new "low floor" passenger vehicles, providing easier and safer boarding for passengers, and four vehicles with heavy duty wheelchair lifts; including the purchase of four shuttle vehicles to provide service to work and school locations that established routes do not currently cover.
Kern County:
- $2.9 million to Kern County for the purchase of two-47 passenger buses; four midsize buses to replace less efficient vehicles and three 41-passenger buses for longer routes, which will expand service operations.
For a comprehensive list of all projects that received Proposition 1B transit funding, please see the attached file.
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We spend most of our lives planning. Some of the things we plan, such as what to have for dinner or the route we'll take to work, are so trivial they require little thought. Other things, such as a family vacation, the correct bid for a big project, or purchasing a new home, require a great deal of thought and planning. All day, every day, we plan. Yet, many of us fail to plan for one of the most important tasks of all – what will happen to our possessions and electrical business once we're gone.
There are many excuses for not facing this task. Some simply believe that once they reach those golden years there won't be enough left to plan for. Others believe their heirs can work out the details. Still others simply aren't willing to face their own mortality. But the biggest problem for the electrical worker who has been in the electrical contracting business for 35+ years is a lack of planning for retirement or the transfer of assets.
Planning for the distribution of your estate isn't necessarily difficult, but it does require serious thought. Here are 10 steps to help you with this most important planning process.
Step 1: Assemble Your Estate-Planning Team
One of the most important decisions you'll make regarding your estate is who will guide you through this process. This team often includes four individuals: an attorney, a tax professional, an investment professional, and you. Choose professionals in whom you have utmost confidence, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's very important that these people have experience working with electrical contractors, because you want them to be familiar with the industry and understand its nuances.
Step 2: Determine Your Objectives
Estate planning truly focuses on planning for life―your life and the lives of your heirs. Estate planning involves financial and tax matters, but it also involves helping ensure family members are secure. Another important aspect of determining your objectives is making sure that if you do pass away, your business continues to run smoothly. Determine if there are family members that are fit to run your business so that the family legacy lives on. Too many successful electrical contracting businesses have gone broke after the owner passed away and a clueless son or daughter tried to take over the business. Discuss your objectives with your team, so they can suggest appropriate plans.
Step 3: Create a List of Your Assets
To help you create a proper estate plan your team must have an accurate list of the assets you own. This includes your company retirement plan and any equipment that are tangible assets at your company, such as trucks, machines, and the like. Ask your attorney, investment professional, and accountant if he or she can provide a document that will help inventory your assets.
Step 4: Minimize Administrative Details
Settling an estate can involve a barrage of paperwork. Consolidate your assets, and keep a detailed inventory of these items. This will give your survivors the information needed to re-register any securities.
Step 5: Draft a Will
Step 5: Draft a Will A will is a written document that explains how you want your property distributed once you pass away. It's crucial because it allows you to control how and to whom your assets are distributed. If you die without one, state law will govern how your assets are distributed. A will is absolutely necessary if you have children who are still minors because it allows you to designate a guardian.
Once you have a will, don't file it away and forget it. Take it out periodically and review it. Just as changes to the NEC require you to make changes in your design and installation practices, changes in your business necessitate changes in your will.
Step 6: Reduce Your Probate Estate
Probate is a process in which the courts carry out the provisions of your will. Your probate estate includes all assets titled in your name when you die; it doesn't include life insurance policies or jointly owned assets. Unfortunately, this process typically takes nine months to two years to complete and can cost between 2 and 5% of the value of the estate. In addition, the records are public, so anyone can access this information. The last thing you want is to have your family going through probate while trying to keep your electrical firm running. Although it may be impossible to avoid probate entirely, you may be able to keep the majority of your estate from probate and, thus, simplify things for your heirs.
Step 7: Determine Your Taxable Estate
It's important to distinguish between your probate estate and your taxable estate. The latter consists of the value of your gross estate (the fair market value of all your assets and electrical firm) less any deductions. The estate tax is imposed by the U.S. government on the assets or property you transfer to others when you die. The Tax Relief Act of 2001 has lowered estate tax rates, but they can still take a hefty chunk out of your estate.
Step 8: Take Advantage of Estate-tax Exemptions
Under the current law, you can transfer up to $1.5 million in assets free of federal estate taxes upon your death. For example, if Ed the contractor, the owner of a very profitable electrical company, passes away in the year 2005 with a taxable estate valued at $4.5 million, his heirs will owe estate taxes on the amount of Ed's estate that exceeds $1.5 million. Thus, Ed's taxable estate will be $3 million. The amount of the exemption increases to $2.5 million in 2006 and $3.5 million in 2009.
Step 9: Hope for the Best, but Plan for the Worst
No one likes to think about the possibility, but what if you become unable to manage your business or personal affairs? A durable power of attorney allows you to designate who will manage your financial affairs should this happen. This person is known as your attorney-in-fact. In addition to a durable power of attorney, consider establishing a health-care directive, or proxy. This allows someone to make certain health-care decisions for you if you're unable to do so yourself.
Step 10: Protect Your Assets With Insurance
Medical expenses in your later years can destroy a lifetime of work. Even worse, you could be forced to use your children's or family's resources. Life insurance can help. For example, life insurance can protect your survivors from the loss of your income and can provide cash for your family to help pay taxes and/or expenses when settling your estate. You should support association health plans (AHPs) that will allow business owners like yourself to purchase health insurance through organizations like IEC and NECA.
With these 10 steps and a team of estate-planning professionals to guide you, you're now ready to begin planning for the distribution of your estate. Remember, don't be afraid to ask questions along the way. Your team can provide invaluable information and insight.
Estate planning is a serious task that includes difficult decisions, but the results are well worth the effort. By taking time today, you'll determine how your possessions are ultimately distributed once you're no longer here to manage them. Don't put off this process! After all, you're not just planning trivial matters―you're planning for the future success of your family and your electrical business.
Abercrombie is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments, Dallas and an associate member of the IEC Dallas chapter.


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You are here
How to Change Your Business Name – Legal and Regulatory Steps Explained
How to Change Your Business Name – Legal and Regulatory Steps Explained
Changing a business name is a costly and disruptive process, especially for established businesses. You can't just start calling it something different. Print and online marketing materials and bank accounts will have to change, websites adjusted, domain names registered, email addresses updated, and so on.
This is all assuming your chosen new name is even available!
So before you take the leap, familiarize yourself with these steps. Most of them are required by law, but others are simply good business practice.
Check Trademarks
Trademark infringement can carry a high cost for your business. Before you pick a name, use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's trademark search tool to see if a similar name, or variations of it, is trademarked.
Check Available Domain Names
Before you do anything to change your business name, be sure you can claim it online. You can do this with a simple web search, but you should also check whether a complementary domain name (or web address) is available. You can use the WHOIS database of domain names. If the name you want is available, claim it right away. This guide explains how to register a domain name.
Notify Your Secretary of State
All business types, except sole proprietors, should first notify their Secretary of State to change names in their articles of incorporation. States will have online forms for this, and usually charge a small fee. During this process, you'll find out whether your new name is already in use in your state by another corporation or partnership. You can do this via online state databases of registered business names and fictitious names.
File a New "Doing Business As" Name
If you previously filed a "Doing Business As" Name, or DBA, with your local government, you'll need to repeat this process with your new name. Read more from SBA.gov about the DBA registration process and get links to your state government office.
Revise Business Licenses and Permits
Check with your state, county or city to determine the process involved in updating or obtaining new business licenses and permits. There is typically a fee for this process.
Let the Tax Authorities Know
The IRS and your state and local revenue agencies will need to be notified of any change of business name. Here's what you need to know:
1. Notify the IRS – Depending on your type of business, follow the process below:
- Sole Proprietors – Send a signed letter notifying the IRS of the business name change to the same address where you file your return.
- Partnerships – Notify the IRS on your current year partnership income tax return (Form 1065). If you've already filed your return for the current tax year, you'll need to write to the IRS at the filing address.
- Corporations – Notify the IRS on your current year corporation income tax return (Form 1120). If you have already filed, write to the IRS notifying them of the name change at your regular filing address.
- LLCs – If you are a single-member LLC, follow the same process as sole proprietors. For multi-member LLCs, follow the partnership process. Read more about this process on the IRS' Business Name Change page.
2. Notify State and Local Revenue Agencies - Requirements for notifying your state vary; locate your state revenue agency via these links from SBA.gov: State tax Resources.
You May Need a New EIN
Generally, sole proprietors, corporations, and partnerships don't need a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) if they change their business name. However, there are certain situations where these entities may need to obtain a new EIN, like if a partnership incorporates or one partner takes over as a sole proprietor. Likewise, if a sole proprietor incorporates or takes on a partnership, a new EIN is needed. This easy-to-read guide from the IRS – Do You Need a New EIN – explains under what circumstances a business needs to obtain a new EIN.
Update Business Documents, Contracts and Agreements
In addition to updating your marketing material, developing a plan to notify customers and building your new brand, you should also revisit and update business loan paperwork, lease documents, bank accounts, etc., that will all need to reflect your name change.
Related Article
About the Author:
Caron Beesley


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Find local BMW Dealers and BMW Certified Inventory by entering your ZIP code
5090 Kearny Mesa Rd
San Diego, CA 92111-2101
Sales: (858) 560-5050
REST EASY! With its 1-Owner & Buyback Qualified CARFAX report, you can rest easy with this 3 Series purchase. BMW CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED This Certified BMW includes a 196 point inspection, 24/7 roadside assistance, a warranty of: 1 year with unlimited vehicle miles, after the expiration of the 4-year / 50,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (Valid only in the U.S.A. including Puerto Rico) for a total of 5 years / Unlimited vehicle miles. 5 years of BMW Roadside Assistance is included. Additional plans are available to extend your vehicle's coverage up to a total of 6 years with unlimited miles., The Certified Pre-Owned Protection Plan provides specific coverage against defects in material and workmanship; the plan is not a Maintenance Program or an extension of the original 4-year / 50,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (Valid in U.S.A. including Puerto Rico).; There are various items that are not covered by these warranties. LOADED WITH VALUE! Comes equipped with: Air Conditioning, Rear Air Conditioning, Bluetooth. This BMW 3 Series also includes Tachometer, Digital Info Center, Tilt Steering Wheel, Power Steering, Power Windows, Steering Radio Controls, Lthr. Shifter, ABS Brakes, Fog Lights, Traction Control, Intermittent Wipers, Dynamic Stability, Keyless Entry, Rear Defogger, Security System, AM/FM, Anti-Theft, CD Player, Center Arm Rest, Vanity Mirrors, Heated Mirrors, Child Proof Door Locks, Daytime Running Lights, Side Curtain Airbags, Roll Stability Control, Tire Pressure Monitor, Carpeted Floor Mats, HD Radio. -
5090 Kearny Mesa Rd
San Diego, CA 92111-2101
(0 Miles)
Sales: (858) 560-5050
Year: 2015
Make: BMW
Model: 320i
Price: $17,995
Mileage: 61,505
Engine: 2.0L 4-Cylinder DOHC 16V TwinPower Turbo
Exterior Color: Mineral White Metallic
Interior Color: Black SensaTec
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Stock #: 70951
City MPG: 24
Hwy MPG: 36
Featured Options
Premium Package
STEPTRONIC Automatic Trans.
17" Alloy Wheel A/S
Heated front seats
Included Packages
Premium Package
Additional Options
STEPTRONIC Automatic Trans.
17" Alloy Wheel A/S
Heated front seats
CO2 relevant vehicles
Tire pressure monitor
Floor mats
Rain sensor and auto headlight
Automatic climate control
Ambient Lighting
Additional 12-V power sockets
Hi-fi sound system
DVD Area coding, North America
BMW Assist eCall
BMW TeleServices
Hands-free Bluetooth and USB
Oil Chg 10,000 mls/12 months
Daytime driving lights
Shipping package
Transport protection
Tier 2


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The United Nations asked you to use your voice as a global citizen to tell world leaders in a short video what you think needs to be done to make this world a better and safer place.
The campaign was part of a series of initiatives launched by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, which seek to utilize the power of the Internet and social networking to engage a new generation of world citizens in the importance of international diplomacy.
The United Nations Department of Public Information, in partnership with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ran the 3rd annual Citizen Ambassadors video contest from 8 August 2011, to 8 September 2011.
The 20 finalists can be viewed on the dedicated facebook page.
The three Winners, available below and on the website, received a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, attend a special events and meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and be given the honourary title of Citizen Ambassadors for a two-year term.
Sigin Rënwa Ojulu, 20, South Sudan/USA
Sergio (Mario) Valdez, 19, Guatemala
Jonathan Eric Defante, 22, Philippines
Edited: G. Cornwell
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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Being super hot like Nicole Scherzinger is definitely every woman's dream, but it seems that achieving that perfect body comes with hard work and passes the 'just good genes' theory, as Nicole Scherzinger reveals to Shape, December 2011. A well balanced diet and exercise plan is the secret to looking fabulous and it seems that after such a long time of self control, Nicole has managed to escape the fear of the scales. According to the interview Nicole gave Shape Magazine, it took a lot of work and time to get where she is now, as she... Read More


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Oakland, Ca — Regular health-related e-mail reminders can increase fitness program adherence, a new study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine finds. Study participants who received weekly e-mails encouraging them to augment physical activity levels increased their exercise routines by an hour a week compared with the control group.
The 16-week study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente and NutritionQuest, included 787 Kaiser employees who volunteered to participate. Of those, 351 were randomly picked to receive the e-mails as part of A Lifestyle Intervention E-mail (ALIVE) program. Recipients chose to get messages targeted toward increasing physical activity, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, or decreasing sugars and saturated fats.
Participants who received nutrition-related e-mails reduced their saturated fat intake by more than 1 gram per day, and those who received the fruit and vegetable messages increased their consumption by about a third of a cup per day.
At least four months later, the behaviors were still in place, researchers found.
The e-mails included small step tips tailored to meet the participant's health goal, an important aspect of e-mail outreach programs, says Leslie Nolan, CEO of the Radial Group, Dallas.
"One thing that's important about the study is that it focused on small steps to take, not a to-do list," Nolan says. "The study e-mail said, 'Walk with your kid to the playground,' as opposed to 'Spend more time being active with your child.'"
A John Hopkins University meta analysis of 19 similar studies on e-mail effectiveness for behavior changes also found that "personalized messages were more effective than generic reminders."
Kelli Calabrese, president of Calabrese Consulting LLC, Flower Mound, TX, sends a custom daily e-mail newsletter to those in her four-week boot camp program.
"I structure the e-mails strategically — so I might talk about what we did in the workout today or what we're going to do tomorrow," Calabrese says. "It gives them that reminder, and people are looking for direction because they're over stimulated and this is a reliable source, plus I'm not trying to sell them anything. My only motivation is my commitment to get them fit."
Calabrese's boot camp program has a 90 percent retention rate, and her students say they appreciate the daily e-mails.
Dianne Gibbons, one of Calabrese's students, says that when she has participated in personal training in the past, she always forgot about fitness until her next training session.
"With the daily e-mails I am reminded that your fitness level is so much more than just sweating it out for an hour," she says.
Todd Rockoff, executive director of the Shaw Jewish Community Center of Akron, OH, says his facility's e-mail campaigns have increased member retention in addition to building a sense of community.
"In today's environment when people are forced to make difficult choices about discretionary dollars, this communication increases our retention rate," Rockoff says. "People say they appreciate the e-mail tips on exercise and nutrition and that it makes it more of a personal experience. Even if a member hasn't been able to physically come to the facility for whatever reason, the e-mails allow them to feel like they're still active in the facility."
Rockoff also notes that it's important to use e-mails in conjunction with onsite attention from staff. The e-mails then become an extension of the facility's customer service, he says.


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Israel this week expressed deep disappointment after the European Union condemned the building of new homes for Jews in Judea and Samaria (the so-called "West Bank") as the main obstacle to peace.
In an official response to the EU statement, Israel's Foreign Ministry noted that "settlement activity" had never before hindered the peace process, and that the true obstacle to peace is the Arabs' ongoing refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist.
A key component of the peace process started in the early 1990s was full recognition of Israel and its right to exist as a Jewish state in the Middle East. Without such recognition, Israel argues that the conflict will carry on indefinitely, regardless of any signed pieces of paper, as all future generations of Palestinian Arabs will continue to view Israel as an enemy and usurper.
In the past two weeks, both Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal have publicly rejected the idea of recognizing that the Jews have a right to a state in this region. The European Union failed to similarly see either of those speeches as an obstacle to peace.
"This one-sided position taken by the EU rewards rejectionism and does not contribute to promoting a permanent peace agreement," read the Foreign Ministry response.
At a Hannukah candle-lighting ceremony on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman asserted that Europe remains silent on these Palestinian violations because many of it leaders actually agree with the long-term goals of Hamas. "As far as they're concerned, the destruction of Israel is a matter of course," said Lieberman.
A day later, Lieberman told a gathering of diplomats hosted by The Jerusalem Post that "the international community's attitude regarding Israel's security reminds me of its attitude regarding Czechoslovakia's security in 1938," referring to the Western powers' abandonment of Czechoslovakia in the face of a mounting Nazi threat.
"We will not be Czechoslovakia," insisted Lieberman.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority was all too pleased with Europe's tone, and urged the union to go a step further in its condemnation of Israel.
"We call on the EU to hold Israel accountable for its illegal occupation of Palestine, reconsider its political and trade relations with Israel and agreements, including the EU-Israel Association agreement, implement a ban on Israeli settler products and extremist settlers, and rescue the chances for peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," said PA representative Hanan Ashrawi.
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