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Electrode placement. Transcutaneous electrode position is shown relative to the hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, and cricoid cartilage. In this configuration, neuromuscular electrical stimulation was targeted toward the superior laryngeal nerves (horizontal electrodes) and the cricothyroid muscles (vertical electrodes).
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LaGorio LA, Carnaby-Mann GD, Crary MA. Treatment of Vocal Fold Bowing Using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;136(4):398–403. doi:10.1001/archoto.2010.33
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To investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of a novel behavioral voice therapy program combining structured vocal exercise with adjunctive neuromuscular electrical stimulation for rehabilitating dysphonia secondary to vocal fold bowing.
Prospective interventional clinical case series with a 3-month follow-up.
Outpatient speech and hearing clinic in an academic medical center.
Convenience sample of 7 patients diagnosed by an otolaryngologist as having chronic dysphonia for at least 3 months due to bilateral vocal fold bowing.
A novel voice therapy program incorporating exercise principles and sustained phonations of increasing length, volume, and pitch paired with concurrent transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
Main Outcome Measures
Change in maximum phonation time, highest attainable pitch, glottal closure, supraglottic compression, and Voice Handicap Index.
Maximum phonation time for /i/ increased significantly (z = −2.201, P < .03), with a modest effect demonstrated (Hedges g, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, −0.56 to 1.75). Voice Handicap Index trended toward significance (z = −1.787, P < .07). Glottal closure during phonation improved, and supraglottic compression decreased. Improvements were maintained or enhanced at the 3-month follow-up. Analysis of highest attainable pitch data was limited owing to aperiodicity in the baseline evaluations.
Behavioral voice therapy with adjunctive neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduced vocal fold bowing, resulting in improved acoustic, laryngeal, and patient-centered outcomes. Maximum phonation time and glottal closure results imply increased vocal fold tension secondary to enhanced thyroarytenoid or cricothyroid muscle function after voice therapy.
Vocal fold bowing is a frequent cause of dysphonia in older persons, reportedly affecting 20% to 29% of the geriatric population.1,2 Furthermore, more than 50% of older persons with dysphonia from bowed vocal folds report significant decline in quality of life.1 However, vocal fold bowing is not limited to older populations. For example, Reulbach et al3 identified previously undiagnosed glottal incompetence from bowed vocal folds in 72% of a cohort of healthy adults 40 years and older. Hanson et al4 identified vocal fold bowing in 94% of patients with Parkinson disease. Mechanisms of vocal fold bowing are presumed but unknown5 and may include intubation-related damage to laryngeal mucosa,6 vocal fold stiffening,5 vocal fold paresis,7 sulcus vocalis,7 or laryngeal atrophy.7,8 Regardless of the cause, treatment of dysphonia due to bowed vocal folds has focused on therapeutic laryngeal injection or thyroplastic medialization.9,10 Evidence supporting the benefit of voice therapy for dysphonia secondary to bowed vocal folds in otherwise healthy adults is limited.11 However, related efforts suggest that laryngeal muscles might be strengthened with voice therapy based on exercise principles. For example, Ramig12 and Smith et al13 reported that resistance exercise targeting vocal intensity and respiratory function decreased glottal incompetence and improved voice quality in patients with bowed vocal folds secondary to Parkinson disease. Recently, we reported that dysphagia therapy with adjunctive transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) reduced vocal fold bowing and improved voice performance in a single patient who had received radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.14
Combining exercise with adjunctive NMES may enhance the positive effects of voice therapy. This combined approach has been reported to enhance treatment outcomes in sports medicine15,16 and in stroke rehabilitation17 but, until recently, had not been tested in rehabilitation of any pathologic laryngeal condition. In 2008, Ptok and Strack18 demonstrated that pairing voice therapy with transcutaneous electrical stimulation decreased vocal fold vibration irregularity in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Moreover, our aforementioned study14 of reduced vocal fold bowing with concomitant voice improvement showed enhanced vocal fold tension following pharyngeal and laryngeal exercise combined with transcutaneous NMES. Given these results, we hypothesized that an exercise-based voice therapy program paired with adjunctive transcutaneous NMES may improve vocal and laryngeal function in patients with bowed vocal folds contributing to dysphonia.
Robey19 described a 5-phase model of clinical research structuring a series of clinical investigations leading to a comprehensive evaluation of any novel intervention. The initial phase in this model is to describe and measure any clinical effect of the intervention. In this regard, a phase 1 study should focus on a specified therapeutic outcome and should delineate how this outcome is to be evaluated. Acceptable research designs to accomplish this goal include case reports, prospective case series, and retrospective studies.
In the present study, we report the results of a prospective case series to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of a novel voice therapy program with adjunctive NMES in the rehabilitation of dysphonia secondary to bowed vocal folds. We specify clinical outcomes used in the assessment of this intervention and describe a consistent course of voice therapy applied to 7 patients having chronic dysphonia secondary to bilateral vocal fold bowing.
Adults having chronic dysphonia for at least 3 months due to bilateral true vocal fold bowing were recruited to participate in the treatment study from June 1, 2007, to May 15, 2008. Patients were referred from local otolaryngologists familiar with the study. Patients with tracheotomy, progressive neurologic disease, history of laryngeal cancer, or other organic, neuromuscular, or functional cause for dysphonia were excluded from this study. Patients with cardiac demand pacemakers were also excluded, as this diagnosis is listed as a caution for electrical stimulation by the Food and Drug Administration. The local institutional review board approved all procedures used in this study, and all enrolled patients signed an approved informed consent form.
Before voice therapy, each patient completed baseline acoustic and stroboscopic laryngeal evaluations, pulmonary function testing, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire.20 These measures served to ensure inclusion criteria, determine initial voice therapy goals, and provide a pretherapy measure on outcome assessments.
Acoustic voice evaluation was completed using a commercially available system (Computerized Speech Laboratory 4500; KayPentax, Lincoln Park, New Jersey). Signals were captured via a headset-mounted condenser microphone (C420 PP MicroMic III; AKG Acoustics, Vienna, Austria) set at a uniform-in distance in front of the patient's mouth during all recordings. A real-time pitch program (RTP model 5121, KayPentax) was used to measure maximum phonation time (MPT) and highest attainable pitch (HAP) for sustained /i/ and /a/ as well as loudest volume produced saying "Hey you." Patients completed 3 trials of each task; the mean performance values were used in the analysis.
Laryngeal evaluations were completed using a stroboscope (9200C Rhino-Laryngeal Stroboscope, KayPentax) with a flexible endoscope (ENF-P4; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). These evaluations confirmed the presence of true vocal fold bowing, set the NMES level used in treatment sessions, and described laryngeal configuration during phonation. Laryngeal configuration variables examined were glottal closure and supraglottic compression.
Pulmonary function evaluation was completed using a handheld spirometer (Discovery; Futuremed America Inc, Granada Hills, California). Patient age, sex, height, and weight were entered into the spirometer for calculation of forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) and forced vital capacity. Patients were instructed to take a deep breath and to blow out forcefully. Patients completed 3 trials; the mean performance values were used in the analysis. The ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FEV1%) was calculated for each patient and was used as a control measure in the outcome analysis. This measure provides a clinical means of assessing airflow limitation during expiration, reflecting integrity of the respiratory muscles. Because respiratory muscles are known to adapt to exercise,21 any statistically significant change in FEV1% following treatment would indicate change in underlying respiratory musculature function. Therefore, this pulmonary measure was incorporated as a control measure in an attempt to separate the effects of laryngeal vs pulmonary changes as a result of voice therapy.
The voice therapy protocol consisted of a hierarchy of vocalizations paired with adjunctive transcutaneous NMES. Sessions were 1 hour daily, 5 days per week, for 3 weeks. Patients completed 2 pretreatment accommodation sessions. These accommodation sessions served to familiarize patients with the voice therapy program and performance criteria, answer any questions about NMES, and minimize any anticipatory bias. Patients received 10 and 20 minutes of NMES, respectively, during the first and second accommodation sessions. During the subsequent 13 voice therapy sessions, patients completed a standardized protocol of vocal exercises, while simultaneously receiving 60 minutes of NMES.
Vocal exercises consisted of a progressive 14-step series of phonatory activities. The task hierarchy was developed to systematically increase resistance to the weakened vocal folds and to expand the phonatory environment over time. To do this, the exercise concept of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) was adapted to voice. One-repetition maximum describes the maximum load that can be moved 1 time.22 This value is used to set training intensity levels, with optimal exercise levels for strength training set at 80% of 1RM.22 To adapt 1RM for this vocal exercise protocol, load was defined as length (MPT), volume, and pitch (HAP) of sustained phonation; 1RM was defined as the highest performance value of 1 of 3 baseline trials of MPT, volume, and HAP. Patients' individual vocal exercise goals were calculated as 60%, 70%, and 80% of baseline 1RM and were used to measure successful performance at each step in the vocal exercise task hierarchy. For example, during step 1, patients were required to produce and sustain a hum for 60% of baseline MPT until performance criteria for successful phonation were achieved. Once achieved, the length of sustained phonation was increased to 70% and then 80% of baseline MPT. Vocal exercise continued in this fashion, next incorporating /i/ and /a/, then volume, and then HAP so that, as patients progressed in the task hierarchy, they were required to produce and sustain phonations that were incrementally longer, louder, and higher pitched than previous phonations. Following completion of step 6 in the treatment hierarchy, 1RM for MPT was remeasured, and 60%, 70%, and 80% phonation length goals were recalculated. These new MPT goals were used during the remaining steps in the hierarchy. Once patients reached step 12 in the vocal exercise program, target phonations changed from sustained vowels to words, phrases, and conversation.
The treating speech-language pathologist (L.A.L.) recorded successful and unsuccessful phonation attempts. Successful phonations involved producing and sustaining a target phonation without hoarseness, breathiness, or pitch breaks for the specified length of time. Each phonation attempt was judged by the clinician and by the patient. Successful productions required agreement between clinician and patient. To advance to higher levels in the voice therapy program, patients were required to phonate with 80% accuracy (8 of 10 attempts) per vocal exercise set and to complete 3 successful consecutive sets per level. Failure on 3 of 5 phonation attempts in any set was considered a failure of that set.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation was delivered using a commercially available device (VitalStim NMES; Empi Corporation, St Paul, Minnesota). The unit is a dual-channel bipolar device that supplies rectangular, symmetric, biphasic pulsed current at a preset fixed pulse rate of 80 Hz and pulse duration of 700 microseconds (VitalStim Therapy23). The dual channels allow the user to independently set the stimulation amplitude from 0 to 25 mA (tolerance ±10%). Adult electrodes (VitalStim 59000) are circular, have a 2.1-cm diameter, and provide 3.46-cm2 surface area of stimulation via a carbon-silver substrate. One pair of electrodes was placed vertically at the midline immediately above and below the cricothyroid membrane. This electrode pair targeted NMES to the cricothyroid muscles. The other pair of electrodes was placed horizontally, inferior and slightly medial to the posterior horns of the hyoid bone near the presumed location of the superior laryngeal nerves (Figure).
Before applying the electrodes, all men were clean shaven, and all patients' necks were cleaned with an alcohol-based wipe (TENS Clean-Cote UniPatch, MS71000, model UP220; Tyco Healthcare, Wabasha, Wisconsin). Once affixed, the electrodes were taped to the skin (Transpore; 3M, St Paul). Last, during treatment sessions, a 3-in-wide elastic bandage was wrapped around the neck over the electrodes to further assist in maintaining appropriate skin to electrode contact.
Treatment NMES level was determined during the baseline stroboscopic laryngeal evaluation. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation was increased from 0 mA in 2-mA increments until improved glottal closure or vibratory pattern was reported by the stroboscopic examiner (M.A.C.). Once an effect on glottal closure was identified, NMES amplitude was decreased systematically by 1 mA until the baseline glottal closure or vibratory pattern was again observed. Next, NMES amplitude was again increased in 0.5-mA increments until improved glottal closure or vibratory pattern was reidentified. This NMES amplitude was subsequently used for all treatment sessions. To minimize examiner (M.A.C.) bias, the examiner remained blinded to NMES amplitude applied during the examination.
Voice therapy sessions were conducted by one experienced speech-language pathologist, who was blinded to the results of all assessments. Only the therapeutic NMES level was available to the treating speech-language pathologist (L.A.L.). Outcome assessors were blinded to the results of the treatment sessions.
Primary outcome measures assessed included change in MPT, HAP, VHI, and laryngeal configuration during phonation. A secondary outcome measure was change in pulmonary function, FEV1%, which was used as a control evaluation of the stability of respiratory support for phonation.
To rate glottal closure and supraglottic compression, video clips of sustained /i/ were obtained from each patient's stroboscopic laryngeal examinations at baseline, after voice therapy, and at the 3-month follow-up. Video samples were edited to equal lengths of 3 to 5 seconds, deidentified, arranged into a series of randomized pairs, and presented to raters (G.D.C.-M. and M.A.C.) in a slide format (PowerPoint, Microsoft Office 2003; Microsoft Corp, Redmond, Washington).
Two experienced independent judges rated each pair. Ratings from the more experienced judge (M.A.C.) were used to evaluate change in laryngeal configuration during phonation. Ratings from the second judge (G.D.C.-M.) were used to estimate interrater reliability. Judges viewed the pairs and chose the video from each pair that best demonstrated better glottal closure and less supraglottic compression. Each of these laryngeal configuration outcome variables was rated separately. Judges rated pairs as "no difference" when the pair was perceived to be identical for each outcome measure or "cannot see" if either video of the pair was of too poor quality to rate either of the 2 laryngeal configuration variables. Video pairs were automatically played on a continuous-motion loop. Judges were allowed to stop and start the playback as needed but were not permitted to look back at previously rated pairs.
Patient demographics were reviewed using descriptive methods. Because of few patients and skewed distributions, the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test of matched pairs was used to assess pretreatment and posttreatment performance change for the continuous variables. Clinical effect for significant outcomes was estimated using Hedges g statistic.24 Interrater reliability for both laryngeal configuration variables was calculated using κ statistic.25
A convenience sample of 7 patients enrolled in the study, 4 men and 3 women, with a mean (SD) age of 66.9 (8.4) years (age range, 58-81 years). All patients demonstrated bilateral vocal fold bowing with adequate laryngeal abduction and adduction. Based on patient history, the presumptive cause of bowed vocal folds was presbyphonia in 5 patients, multiple intubations in 1 patient, and unknown (possibly virus related) in 1 patient.
Posttreatment data were completed for 6 of 7 patients. One male patient withdrew after completing the first week of treatment because of complaints of muscle soreness in his right lateral neck over the larynx. Clinical and endoscopic evaluations 3 days after withdrawal from the study were unremarkable, and the patient denied any discomfort at that time. Data from this patient were not included in the results.
The remaining 6 patients completed all 15 sessions (2 accommodation and 13 treatment sessions). Although all patients completed 15 voice therapy sessions, no patient progressed through all steps of the vocal exercise program within the prescribed time frame of 15 sessions. On average, patients completed 9 of 14 steps (range, 7-10 steps). The mean (SD) NMES amplitude during these sessions was 9.5 (3.3) mA (range, 3-14 mA).
All 6 patients increased MPT for sustained /i/. Five of 6 patients also increased MPT for sustained /a/. The mean MPT for the group increased 38.4% over baseline for sustained /i/ and 42.5% over baseline for sustained /a/ (Table). The increased MPT for /i/ was statistically significant (z = −2.201, P = .03). The increased MPT for /a/ trended toward statistical significance (P = .08). A modest effect was demonstrated in MPT change for /i/ (Hedges g, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, −0.56 to 1.75).24
Because of significant baseline aperiodicity in subject phonation, HAP data were complete for only 3 of 6 patients. Given these limited data points, no statistical analysis was performed. Group data from the remaining patients showed that the mean HAP for /i/ increased 13.4%, while the mean HAP for /a/ decreased 23.6% following voice therapy (Table).
Five of 6 patients perceived their voices to have improved following voice therapy. The VHI (total) improved (ie, decreased a mean of 12.17 points [range, 3-17 points]) between pretreatment and posttreatment assessments (Table). This improvement trended toward significance (z = −1.787, P = .07).
Group baseline FEV1% decreased 0.05% immediately following voice therapy completion (Table). This change was not statistically significant.
Twelve video pairs directly compared pretreatment vs posttreatment laryngeal configuration during phonation. Glottal closure was rated for 9 of 12 video pairs. Three video pairs were judged as "cannot see" for this variable. The posttreatment video demonstrated better glottal closure in 8 of 9 video pairs. Supraglottic compression was rated for all 12 of the video pairs comparing pretreatment vs posttreatment laryngeal configuration during phonation. The posttreatment video was identified as demonstrating less supraglottic compression in 7 of 12 video pairs. Interrater reliability was excellent for glottal closure ratings (κ = 0.81) and moderate for supraglottic compression ratings (κ = 0.57).25
All 6 patients returned for the 3-month follow-up assessment. All treatment effects were maintained or enhanced, as no significant differences were noted in acoustic, pulmonary, or patient-centered outcome measures between the posttreatment and 3-month follow-up evaluations (Table). Furthermore, change in both laryngeal configuration variables was also maintained or enhanced at the 3-month follow-up assessment. For this analysis, 9 posttreatment videos previously used to rate pretreatment vs posttreatment glottal closure were compared with their corresponding 3-month follow-up video. Among these 9 new video pairs, glottal closure was rated in 6; the remaining 3 were judged as "cannot see" for this variable. The 3-month follow-up video was identified as demonstrating better glottal closure in 4 of 6 video pairs and as "no difference" in 1 video pair. Therefore, 5 of 6 endoscopic examinations demonstrated maintenance of the treatment effect for glottal closure. Similarly, 12 posttreatment videos used to rate pretreatment vs posttreatment supraglottic compression were used to compare posttreatment and 3-month follow-up evaluations. From these video pairs, the 3-month follow-up video demonstrated less supraglottic compression in 5 of 12 pairs and was judged as "no difference" in an additional 2 pairs. Therefore, 7 of 12 endoscopic examinations demonstrated maintenance of the treatment effect for supraglottic compression.
This prospective case series demonstrated that a standardized voice therapy protocol (based on exercise principles and using adjunctive NMES) increased MPT and glottal closure and decreased supraglottic compression in patients with dysphonia from bowed vocal folds, without significant complications or change in underlying pulmonary function. In addition, significant change in VHI revealed that patients perceived their voices to be improved following the voice therapy program. These outcomes were maintained or enhanced at the 3-month follow-up.
Increased MPT and glottal closure without underlying change in pulmonary function imply that this voice therapy program decreased vocal fold bowing. Mechanisms of these changes may have included enhanced thyroarytenoid or cricothyroid activity. In an investigation of the mechanisms of true vocal fold bowing, Tanaka et al7 found that bowing was directly related to thyroarytenoid muscle activity. Using laryngeal electromyography, they discovered that increased thyroarytenoid muscle firing corresponded to decreased vocal fold bowing, whereas cricothyroid muscle activity had no relationship to vocal fold bowing. However, contraction of the cricothyroid muscles moves the vocal folds into the paramedian position, elongates them, and sharpens their contours,26 resulting in increased vocal fold tension and improved glottal closure. Although the specific mechanisms of increased MPT and improved glottal closure are beyond the scope of this study, both improved as a result of this novel intervention.
Decreased supraglottic compression supports the conclusion of improved glottal closure. Belafsky et al27 observed that compensatory supraglottic hyperfunction is common among individuals with glottal insufficiency because of bowed vocal folds. Therefore, improvement in glottal closure should reduce supraglottic compression or hyperfunction. Collectively, the decreased supraglottic compression and increased glottal closure noted in this series of patients suggest a direct and positive effect of the combined intervention on laryngeal function.
In addition to improving MPT and glottal closure, increased cricothyroid tension also raises pitch. However, depending on the vowel being sustained, pitch change in this study increased (/i/) or decreased (/a/) following voice therapy. Unfortunately, complete pitch data were available from only 3 of 6 patients participating in the study. The remaining 3 patients demonstrated excessive baseline aperiodicity, precluding our ability to obtain measurable pitch values for posttherapy comparison. Two of these patients demonstrated improved periodicity at the posttreatment and 3-month follow-up evaluations. The third patient demonstrated improved periodicity at the 3-month follow-up evaluation. Together, these improvements in periodicity suggest a related aspect of voice improvement following treatment. However, because of the limited pitch data in this case series, any conclusions about the effect of this intervention on pitch control or periodicity during phonation must await future investigation.
Stability in pulmonary function also supports the conclusion that this therapeutic intervention decreases vocal fold bowing. The MPT is a function of true vocal fold contact and transglottic air pressure during phonation.27 Therefore, improvement in MPT may have been due to increased pulmonary function. However, the absence of pulmonary change demonstrated in this study suggests that improved MPT resulted from increased vocal fold contact secondary to decreased vocal fold bowing.
Several factors may have contributed to the positive outcomes demonstrated in this study. However, these outcomes do not differentiate between the individual contributions of the vocal exercise–based therapy or of the adjunctive NMES toward achieving these voice and laryngeal changes. In other rehabilitation fields, combining targeted exercise with adjunctive NMES has resulted in better functional gains than exercise alone for strengthening limb muscles.15-17 However, until recently, this has not been investigated for strengthening laryngeal muscles. Ptok and Strack18 compared traditional clinic-based voice therapy with home-based vocal exercises combined with NMES. They reported a significant decrease in vocal fold vibration irregularity in the group receiving NMES. These investigators suggest that the combination of NMES and vocal exercise may have helped increase cricoarytenoid lateralis muscle tension. Together, the present results and those by Ptok and Strack implicate positive laryngeal and voice outcomes from interventions combining voice therapy with NMES in different pathologic laryngeal conditions.
Strengths of this study include its standardized treatment protocol, homogeneous diagnostic population, blinded outcome assessment, and outcome measures across multiple domains. We acknowledge that this study has limitations inherent to a small uncontrolled clinical investigation. Case series do not have internal control comparisons and represent limited evidence for any given treatment. However, given the lack of published evidence supporting behavioral voice therapy for this clinical population, as well as the limited evidence supporting the use of NMES in voice therapy applications, we believe that this case series was an appropriate setting in which to define a treatment effect for this intervention approach.19 We are investigating the relative contributions of the exercise-based voice therapy vs NMES components of the present intervention. We are also investigating additional outcome variables such as aerodynamic and perceptual voice changes and using digital image analysis to more objectively measure change in glottal gap. Finally, we intend to compare this behavioral approach with the more frequently used surgical intervention.
To our knowledge, this prospective case series is the first to describe a successful standardized behavioral voice therapy protocol using adjunctive NMES for the treatment of dysphonia secondary to bowed vocal folds. Acoustic results showed significantly increased MPT, while endoscopic results revealed improved glottal closure and less supraglottic compression. Outcomes were maintained or improved at the 3-month follow-up after completion of the voice therapy program. The results imply enhanced thyroarytenoid or cricothyroid muscle function as a result of the voice therapy program. As a clinical case series, this study serves as a first step in exploring the potential for behavioral voice therapy in the treatment of dysphonia due to bowed vocal folds. Future studies will investigate the separate effects of vocal exercise vs NMES for rehabilitating this patient population, as well as the effects of combined vocal exercise and NMES vs surgery.
Correspondence: Michael A. Crary, PhD, Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Florida, PO Box 100174, Gainesville, FL 32610-100174 (email@example.com).
Submitted for Publication: May 30, 2009; final revision received August 28, 2009; accepted October 22, 2009.
Author Contributions: Ms LaGorio and Dr Carnaby-Mann had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: LaGorio, Carnaby-Mann, and Crary. Acquisition of data: LaGorio and Crary. Analysis and interpretation of data: LaGorio, Carnaby-Mann, and Crary. Drafting of the manuscript: LaGorio and Carnaby-Mann. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Carnaby-Mann and Crary. Statistical analysis: Carnaby-Mann. Obtained funding: Crary. Administrative, technical, and material support: Crary. Study supervision: Carnaby-Mann and Crary.
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Funding/Support: This work was partially funded by an unrestricted educational foundation grant to Dr Crary from Empi Corporation.
Role of the Sponsor: Empi Corporation had no role in the design and conduct of the study; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; or in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.
Additional Contributions: Ann L. Glowasky, MD, Nicholas J. Cassisi, MD, Kerry Lenius, PhD, Caitlyn Ohme, MA, and Pamela Carvajal, BA, assisted with the project.
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(DELWARE, Ohio) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's golf team competed in the final round of the 54-hole Gordin Collegiate Classic hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University at the Deleware Golf Club in Deleware, Ohio on Monday afternoon. The Tartans carded their best round of the classic on Monday with a 294 to finish with a 911 (313-304-294) on the par 71, 6,562-yard course.
Freshman Jason Li (Sewickley, Pa./Sewickley Academy) fired the teams lowest round of the 54-hole event on Monday with a one-under par 70. Li tied for 21st overall with a 224 (78-76-70). Finishing a stroke ahead of the freshman was senior Nikhil Mohan (Bangalore, India/Canadian International School) with a 223 (79-72-72) and placed tied for 18th individually.
Freshmen Derek Li (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) and Aryan Chordia (Dubai, UAE/Jumeriah College) ended with a 234 (76-83-75) and 239 (83-79, 77) while classmate Trevor Arashiro (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) closed the classic with a 242 (80-77-85).
The Tartans return to action on October 7-8 as they play in the Oglethorpe Royal Lakes Invitational. The 36-hole tournament is being held at the Royal Lakes Golf Club in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

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Papers of John F. Kennedy. Pre-Presidential Papers. Presidential Campaign Files, 1960
This folder contains mailing lists and thank you letters to individuals for their support and efforts on Senator John F. Kennedy's 1960 Democratic presidential primary campaign in Wisconsin. Recipients include a group at Spencerian College and hostesses of "coffees" held for the Senator's sisters, Jean Smith, Eunice Shriver, and Patricia Lawford.


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According to a June 15 report by DRAMeXchange, the average contract price of DRAM for servers will increase up to 8 percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter. The average price rose 40 percent in the first quarter and 10 percent in the second quarter from the previous quarters.
The continuing price growth is partly driven by rising demand for high-capacity memory in the server market, the report said.
"Going into the second half of 2017, the increase in the market penetration of (high-capacity) 32-gigabyte product lines are expected to be the main demand drivers," said Mark Liu, an analyst from DRAMeXchange.
The proportion of the 32-gigabyte capacity option out of total server DRAM module shipments will surpass 60 percent by the end of 2017, the report said.
Another market research firm IHS Markit said Friday the global memory market for both DRAM and NAND flash achieved record revenues in the first quarter and will continue to perform well later this year.
The global DRAM market posted $14.7 billion in sales and the NAND flash market recorded $11.7 billion in the first quarter, the firm said.
"The tight supply of NAND is continuing with the healthy demand from solid state drive -- a nonvolatile storage device that stores persistent data -- and mobile applications and the industry transition from planar to 3D NAND technology," said Walter Coon, director at IHS Markit.
The firm predicted the memory market is expected to achieve another record in the second quarter due to tight supply of DRAM and NAND flash.
Samsung Electronics is the largest memory chipmaker in the world with a 43.5 percent share in DRAM and a 36.7 percent share in NAND flash, according to DRAMeXchange and IHS Markit.
SK hynix is the second-largest DRAM maker with a 27.9 percent share and the fourth-largest NAND flash provider with an 11.4 percent share.
By Shin Ji-hye (email@example.com)


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Ebooks about Port and the Douro
Welcome to my small but tasty library of hand-crafted ebook versions of some of the most memorable books published in the 19th century about Port and the Douro.
Feel free to download and share these publications, as long as it is for noncommercial use and without modification of content. To stay informed about new publications just "Like" the Facebook page of Portpraat at the bottom of this page.
The Illustrated Douro
In the second half of the nineteenth century, little was know about the Douro wine-region and the production and trading of port-wine. This changed almost overnight when professor Júlio Máximo de Oliveira Pimentel, chemist, viticulturist and Viscount of Villa Maior together with his companion, the well-known painter, João Pedroso published their observations made during an adventures trip following the river Douro from the highlands of Spain until its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean.
Their work, The Illustrated Douro was published in 1876, describing in Portuguese, French and English, the wine district, its principal vineyards and the people and methods involved in the production, storage and trade of Port-wine. This publication included 25 wood engravings and a photolitographic map based on a survey of Baron the Forrester.
Facts about Port and Madeira
When reading about the history of Port or Madeira, Facts about Port and Madeira is undoubtedly one of the most referenced publications. It is a detailed account of an adventures journey to the Douro, Porto and Madeira made in 1877 by Henry and Ernest Vizetelly.
Their work was published in 1880, describing in a vivid and entertaining way the vineyards, people and methods involved in the production, storage and trade of Dourense and Madeirense fortified wines, illustrated by Ernest with 100 engravings.
Facts about Port and Madeira – Special Edition
In the Special Edition of Facts about Port and Madeira, line art of the original ebook version has been replaced by 45 highly detailed images of original illustrations by William Prater, generously made available by Sogrape Vinhos, for exclusive use on this publication. The original illustrations are part of the private Collection of the House of Sandeman and can be seen in the Museum of Sandeman in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
The Special Edition of Facts about Port and Madeira is available as ebook and PFD file.
Chapters on Port, Oporto and the Douro
Chapters on Port, Oporto and the Douro, is a growing collection of chapters on Port, Oporto and the Douro, written down in books published between 1840 and 1920. The texts are reconstructed from digital images provided by various online libraries. In this first edition, chapters are included from:
Lusitanian Sketches of Pen and Pencil – 1844
History and Description of Modern Wines – 1860
Oporto, Old and New – 1899
Portugal, its land and people – 1909
To read the downloaded ebook publications, please drag them to the iBooks application on your Mac or open it on your PC with Adobe Digital Editions, which can be downloaded here. The ebook publications are in e-pub format and can be used on most mobile phones and tablets.


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What to Expect
This tour will escort you to the popular sightseeing spots in the east part of Tokyo.
The basic itinerary is as follows.
* Pick up at your hotel at 9:30.
1) Visit Meiji shrine
- highlights : one of the most renowned shrines in Japan to commemorate the emperor and empress of Meiji
- duration : approximately 2 hours including transportation
2) Visit the Imperial castle area
- highlights : an old castle image resident or park where emperor and empress live
- duration : approximately 1.5 hours including transportation
★ Visit to the imperial palace resident area is available only on weekdays and reservation
should be made three weeks prior to the tour day
3) Lunch (please let me know your favorite dishes)
- duration : 1 hours
4) Visit the Asakusa temple
- highlights : the oldest and popular temple in Tokyo with more than 300 years history shops in its shopping arcade
- duration : approximately 2 hours including transportation
5) Visit Tokyo Sky tree
- highlights : the highest tower in Japan with 634m height where you can enjoy view from the observatory as well as stoll the vicinity
- duration : approximately 1.5 hours including transportation


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Campbell splits his time between New Orleans and the mountains of Colorado and maintains studios in both locales. He spends his time traveling the backroads, camera in hand, trying to capture the desolate and the tranquil beauty of the landscape and the wild creatures that reside there.
Campbell Hutchinson Art Studio


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Canes Finnish Devils
sorry for the pun, what can you really say about the way the Hurricanes came back last night to snatch Game 7 from NJ that explains how crazy it was? just crazy. i like many Carolina fans was on the couch beginning to have thoughts such as "well it was a great series," "at least we made the playoffs this year" etc -- luckily that's not how the players themselves actually think. Cam Ward kept the 'Canes in the game making incredible save after incredible save in the 3rd but it appeared that the game would end 3-2 Devils.
Then Gleason with a miraculous pass from his knees to keep the zone and get the puck to Pitkanin who passes through the box to Jokinen for the tie with 1.21 left, and then just as we're settling in with relief for some OT, Staal has no such plans and puts it away with 30 ticks on the clock. I had just been defaming Pitkanin to someone for fumbling the puck twice during a power play a minute or two previous...Joni i take it back!!
I probably watched the last 5 mins 4 or 5 times just trying to figure out what i had just seen...wild. Here's N&O writer Luke DeCock's take on it.
It's better with Chuck Kaiton's unhinged call, but here are the highlights just the same:
Carolina Stuns Devils
now onto Boston, who owned the 'Canes this year, but that doesn't always mean much this time of year...


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I finally finished the little Ghostie I had been working on, and she is now listed on ebay. Check her out.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180372296753
Her name is "Petite Antionette" I wanted to do something a bit different from the last little Ghosties, and since I love all things French, she begged me for a french hat that I created from black felt, old ribbon and a metallic letter "A" for her name! "Petite Antionette , in search of some joy, found a comforting friend in the Pumpkin Head boy"
I don't think he has much french in him...he's kinda got that Sleepy Hollow thing going on!
She is 12 1/2 tall, and pumpkin boy is just over 4" tall. He is removeable, but she prefers to hold him close as she doesn't want another "gingerbreadboy" incident!
Her clothes are a mix of vintage and new with my hand painted glass eyes.
It's been awhile since I've listed anything new on ebay. They seem to have a new picture format which I have to say I think "stinks". Instead of the pictures coming up in the body of the auction, they only show in the upper corner of the page...to see the different photos you have to click on the desired picture then click on enlarge which brings up a new page with one photo, you have to do this for each photo. If you don't click enlarge the photo stays pretty small. I left them a comment of what I thought of their new and improved ebay..I'm sure they won't like what I said..(just incase, I signed Miss "P"'s name)...naahaaa..haa..(thats a sneeky laugh, just payback for the dropping curse she placed while I was away)...ahhh Karma Ms P!!


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After a nice long sleep we got on our phones trying to find a car to buy. We needed something to pick the four dogs plus their crates up at the airport the following day, so it was the only task for the day. The termperature all day was very high around 34 Celsius and the humidity was high! You cannot really prepare for what its going to really be like, but I might compare it to a steam/sauna, hot moist and you can't get away from it!
So after spending a few hours on our phones we headed to a used car dealer that we had seen the prior day on the way in to town. The dealer (as it is in the states) wanted way too much for the quality of vehicles he was selling. It seemes like our only option until the phone rang and it was a friendly voice saying he could meet us to show us the Jeep we had messaged about on Craigslist. We met him about 30 minutes later, did a test drive and more or less said "we'll take it". Now the tricky part begins…..
POINTER: Car buying process


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Status: Open
Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first OregonLive.com user to add photos or videos of Kings Table Buffet
Take Out, Salad Bar, Rib Eye Steak Avail Anytime, Pasta, Fish, Family Dining, Chicken, Catering, Carved Ham & Beef
King`s Table Buffet is a family place that serves you an American cuisine with a menu dominated by fish. Expect the average entrée to cost $8 to $12.
Eating & Drinking: Open for lunch and dinner. There`s a daily lunch buffet.
Details to Note: Reservations are accepted. Carryout is available. Parking has been arranged for customers.
Ways to Pay: Cash, MasterCard and Visa


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Find Your Starting Point Activity Log
Download a copy of the Find Your Starting Point Activity Log below. For a couple of weekdays and a weekend, write down how much time you are physically active (for example, walking, gardening, playing a sport, dancing, lifting weights). The goal is to find ways to increase your activity.


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London, South Kensington
11 November 2009
Price realised
Charles Edward Dixon, R.I. (1872-1934)
The celebrated clipper James Baines
signed, inscribed and dated 'Charles Dixon/- 32 -/The "James Baines" (lower left)
watercolour and bodycolour
13½ x 19 in. (34.3 x 4.3 cm.)
Contact Client Service
New York +1 212 636 2000
London +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Asia +852 2760 1766
Jane Turner
+44 (0)20 7752 3293
Sarah Reynolds
+44 (0)207 752 3284
Named for her owner, one of Liverpool's most prominent shipping magnates, the James Baines was designed and built by Donald McKay at East Boston, Massachusetts, and was said by many to be his finest creation. Launched in 1854, she had been ordered by Baines's Black Ball Line of Australian packet ships and went into service with high expectations after her record crossing from Boston to Liverpool. On her maiden voyage to Australia, she ran out in 65 days setting another new record despite being fully loaded with 691 passengers, over 100 crew, 1,400 tons of cargo and 350 sacks of mail. The run home was only marginally slower at 69 days and later passages were almost as good. In 1857 she was one of three Black Ball ships chartered to take troops to India where the Mutiny had broken out and, before sailing from Portsmouth, was visited by Queen Victoria who personally offered her master a bonus of £100 per day for every day he saved on his contract time, so concerned was she about the alarming situation on the sub-continent. Having disembarked over 1,000 men of the 97th Foot at Calcutta, the James Baines returned home to Liverpool with a valuable commercial cargo but whilst lying in the Huskisson Dock on 21st April 1858, a serious fire broke out below decks and she was burned beyond repair; it was a sudden and shocking end to one of the masterpieces of the age of sail.
Special Notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Specialist Aisi Wang guides us through the life and art of one of the finest Japanese artists of the 20th century
As an extraordinary collection of West Coast art comes to Christie's in New York, we meet the visionary couple behind the collection


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ATLANTA - State Rep. Martin Scott was a fourth-grader listening to the radio when he heard about abortion and asked his grandmother how to prevent it.
She told him only politicians could, so he quietly decided then to run for office.
Now the 36-year-old, second-term Republican from Rossville on the Tennessee line is ready to act, sponsoring an amendment to the state constitution that would outlaw abortion, euthanasia, cloning and embryonic stem-cell research.
Scott introduced the amendment bill late in the last legislative session, and he said the new members of the U.S. Supreme Court make the timing ideal now for passage of a state measure.
Patterned after the Human Life Amendment that has stalled in Congress for three decades, House Resolution 536 would define life as beginning at conception, granting the same legal status to an embryo as any adult.
Scott knows the issue will stir passions.
"They're killing babies for money, and they call us the controversial ones," he said.
Some might believe he is tilting at windmills, but Scott's crusade is gaining momentum and a following from grassroots activists and social conservatives across the state. His quest also has gained imitators in seven other states and the attention of activists across the country.
Swaying opposition
It's also firing up opponents.
Considering that the Georgia General Assembly just passed a bill requiring women seeking an abortion to be offered a sonogram of the fetus, opponents say Scott's amendment has a good chance to pass.
"They do have the votes to vote anti-choice legislation into place. They have the votes to do what they want," said Paris Hatcher, co-executive director of Georgians for Choice.
Scott has about 40 co-sponsors and hopes to get a committee hearing when he secures 60. He'll need twice that many to pass the House. Then it would need the support of two-thirds of the state Senate before the proposed constitutional amendment would go before Georgia voters.
The Woman's Right to Know Act with the sonogram provision passed by a large margin in both the House and the Senate, but not with the two-thirds required for a constitutional amendment. And passage was possible only after the sonogram became optional.
That bill fit into a strategy adopted by many abortion opponents aiming for small victories year by year. They point to a law in South Dakota that banned all abortions until voters there rejected it in November, some say, because it was so broad.
On the other hand, the incremental approach has lacked the drama to fire up activists.
Table has turned
Scott's legislation has drama, said Josh Brahm, spokesman for the Georgia Right to Life.
"We've got the chance because a lot of pro-lifers get frustrated with all of the incremental steps, and gosh, abortion is still legal in all nine months," he said, predicting thousands will turnout out in January for the group's annual Capitol rally.
The organization has hired a new lobbyist, the Rev. Mike Griffin, who ran unsuccessfully last year against state Rep. Alan Powell, D-Hartwell, and was also involved in efforts to fight the sale of alcohol in Hartwell and to post the Ten Commandments in public buildings. Plus, the group will join with other similar groups in sending e-mails, mailings, phone calls and the usual tools of a political campaign.
They will be matched by similar efforts on behalf of groups fighting the proposal.
"Right now it's just our intention to stop it before it gets started," Hatcher said.
The clash is likely to bring out more than the usual abortion activists. That's because the amendment affects more than fetuses and also could impact the disabled, embryonic stem-cell research and living wills used by the sick who don't want heroic medical treatments to prolong their lives.
"I think it raises a lot of questions that will garner more opposition," said Leola Reis, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Georgia.
Evolving whirlwind
But Scott is predicting that broader interest will help his side, too.
And if legislators pass the measure, it would appear on the ballot during the presidential election next year, almost certainly driving up voter turnout for both sides.
At the same time, it could occupy a lot of resources - staff, volunteers and money - that otherwise would be deployed in other states for presidential candidates, Brahm said.
"We could draw a lot of pro-choice money here that would have been going to blue states," he said.
Opponents figure conservatives want to use it as a "wedge issue" to divide existing political alliances, just like the vote on banning gay marriage in the 2004 election. For example, Catholics who often favor Democrats could tilt toward Republicans next year if they credit that party with greater sympathy for the church's anti-abortion teachings.
Abortion-rights foes and supporters agree on one thing: Passage of Scott's amendment would be a big deal.


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Where can Vacuum Metalizing be Used?
Speaking of a paint coating process where evaporation is used as the medium of putting a metallic material to a non-metallic surface is taken advantage of. The process of vacuum metalizing is a specialized process which falls under the general category of vacuum coating. In this process, non-metallic material surface like aluminum is coated with a thin-film layer of a metallic substance. In this process, the metal is subjected to heat until it starts to evaporate. When the metal evaporates, it then condenses on the non metallic material and bonds with it inside a rotating vacuum chamber so that uniform coating is ensured. When the metalizing process is finishes, protective topcoat is applied also in the same vacuum chamber to finish the process.
There are many intriguing applications to vacuum metalizing since it is able to conform to the shape of the non metallic material that needs to be metalized, and this is done to enhance the functionality of that non metallic material like preventing light from entering its surface since the metal coating is reflective, etc. Since metalizing is done in a vacuum chamber, there is no air or moisture that can come in between the two surfaces during the processing.
We don't need to understand everything about the process of vacuum metalizing since what is important is its practical applications when a material has metalized coating, one of which is decorating non-metallic surfaces.
The 10 Most Unanswered Questions about Options
The vacuum metalizing industry offers many different applications to manufacturing establishments serving different kinds of businesses including industrial services, retail businesses, health care business, food preparation business, and other types of businesses.
What Has Changed Recently With Options?
What is great about vaporizing metal aside from coating different types of material like glass, plastic, and other metal substrates is that you can choose if you want a consistent thick coat or a thin coating, and you can also choose the type of finish your like including bright, opaque, translucent, and semi- translucent. Vacuum metalizing is not like electroplating since it does not use hazardous and toxic chemical like electroplating does. This serious threat to human beings and our environment is the continuous and accelerating overuse of destructive substances. Despite efforts to intervene to change people's destructive behavior against the environment, these efforts have not been met with any success. Well, here is where manufacturers and consumers as well can start and effect massive results.
Companies can benefit in both the short and long term if their product designers and manufacturers use this latest technology in your metalizing processes. With it you become an immediate supplier or metalized coating products, and it also enhances the long term growth of your immediate business consumers.
An upgrade to this technology is even marrying metallizer to molding units, an effort that seeks to perfect the deposition of a more functional coating where doing this directly to plastic surfaces out of a molding equipment is done and the need of a base or topcoats is not necessary anymore.


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Here's a very brief clip from Manchester's seventh Festival of Fantastic Films, back in 1996, as I introduce the charming David Warbeck to his audience. It's extracted from a longer compilation of festival footage edited by Elmar Podlasly.
Photo Album: Catriona MacColl, David Warbeck, 1996
Sometimes, a great opportunity comes along and you just have to wing it. I met the lovely Catriona MacColl on the first day of the 1996 Festival of Fantastic Films in Manchester, and we hit it off quite well. The great thing about this particular event is that the guests and members mix freely, most often around the bar, and there's a level of casual intimacy you could never get at one of those massive autograph fairs.
That encounter proved rather helpful the following afternoon, when the festival chair approached me in somewhat of a fluster and asked if I could fill in as on-stage interviewer for David Warbeck, as the original host hadn't turned up (I knew the person in question and later ascertained he'd never actually agreed to attend). Much as I disliked taking over without my usual investment in research, I figured it would be fun, so headed downstairs to meet David, at which point I discovered (a) he was fresh out of hospital following a vicious attack at his home, (b) was still feeling extremely frail and (c) would rather not be there. Thankfully, Catriona, who co-starred with David in Fulci's The Beyond, was on hand to reassure him I was "one of the good guys" (award-standard acting, there) and the tension ebbed away. As it turned out, David was one of those interviewees who was a breeze to work with; I simply steered our conversation along as and when needed, occasionally pointing him towards the films I knew the audience was particularly interested in hearing about.
In retrospect, David's frailty might have been exacerbated by the cancer which would take him from us the following July, aged just 55 (I'm not sure if he was aware of it at the time we met). Sadly, I didn't have a chance to record the interview and so produce a version for publication, although the organisers did later release an edited video, parts of which appeared as an extra on Grindhouse's 2016 Blu-ray release of The Beyond.
Photos by Ann Green


text: George, I re-read your email and realized you were asking how the *fiberglass rod* connects to the balun case. The manual shows the balun case/support rod as one item, so I don't know how the rod is secured. My guess is that it's a force-fit into the delrin ring at the top of the balun. I can send you a scan of the manual, or some pictures of my eggbeater if that would help. ==================== The loops are secured with Allen screws at their bottom. They take a 3/32 Allen wrench to tighten them (I just checked this on my Eggbeater). You might want to make sure there's no ice in the hex hole, or the wrench won't get a good bite. Let me know if you need a copy of the manual and I'll email it. Bill N5AB On Dec 17, 2010, at 2:16 PM, George Henry wrote: >> From the ground, I can see that the fiberglass support rod for the >> loops on my > 2-meter M2 Eggbeater has separated from the center housing, and the > loops are > now bobbing around in the wind. > > Before I even *think* about climbing up there to fix it or put > something else in > its place in the middle of a Chicago winter, can anyone provide any > details on > how the rod attaches to the housing? (photographs would be even > better) It's > been up there a while, and my memory of the construction has faded.... > > > George, KA3HSW > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the > author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb


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From Priyanka Chopra (L) to Sonam Kapoor, here are a few celeb-inspired looks to try out this festive season. (Source: Instagram)
For a colourful festival like Diwali, you should move away from your basic make-up palette and try something bold. A hint of glitter is all that you need to make yourself stand out from the crowd and shimmery eyes would do the trick.
Applying a little shimmer on the eyes is no rocket science. All you need to do is choose the perfect eyeshadow to go with your skin tone. The best part about opting for the shiny palette is that it goes well with bold lip colours as well as nude ones. It's advisable you opt for a light shimmery blush to keep the tone of your make-up balanced. Here are a few celeb-inspired looks that you can try out this festive season.
A few days ago, Rihanna gave a tutorial on how to get the perfect shimmery make-up, when Fenty Beauty released its latest collection 'Chill Owt'. In the video, the singer goes for a shimmery 'purple-and-blue-with-touches-of-silver' look that can be achieved with only two products – the Fenty Beauty Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Palette and Frosted Metal Lip Set.
Check out the video here:
Ever tried shimmery eyes? Let us know in the comments section below.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdSource Article


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The Friday after Thanksgiving – Black Friday – can be a good time to get deals on just about anything imaginable. Retailers view it as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, and consumers view it as a way to get steep bargains.
A few years ago, I remember hearing that some retailers like Walmart were going to discount items prior to Black Friday, and that just may be the case again this year. Perhaps this was an attempt to disperse the crowds – or maybe it was just a way to beat the competition to the punch.
If you're not careful, you could fall victim to clever marketing and end up spending more than you should this Black Friday. Retailers are intelligent, but you can outwit them by being a smart Black Friday shopper. Here are some of the best tips I've come across to save money and get the best deals.
1. Use the buddy system.
Shopping with your spouse or a friend might reduce your spending. Preferably, shop with someone who you know will love you enough to tell you "you don't need that" when appropriate. Accountability is a very strong social force that you can leverage for your good.
If you're the type that likes shopping for the sake of shopping alone, taking a buddy along can curb those impulse purchases. You might even find yourself leaving several items on the shelf simply because you'd be embarrassed to buy this or that knickknack in front of your buddy.
2. Allocate your gift money by person.
There's something about the Christmas season that can cause people to overspend. It used to surprise me year after year just how damaging Christmas was to my wallet. Why does Christmas tend to drain wallets? I figured it out some time later . . . .
Besides not saving up money for Christmas which comes at the same time every year, I wasn't allocating my gift money by person. Once my wife and I sat down and wrote out a list of everyone we wanted to buy a gift for, we could easily budget appropriate amounts per person and spend accordingly. Such a simple solution, but it eluded us for years. (download our Christmas budgeting sheet)
When you do your Black Friday shopping, be sure to allocate your gift money by person. Stick to a budget, and you'll thank yourself later.
3. Watch out for slick marketing campaigns and financing offers.
To make up for cheaper Black Friday prices, retailers launch extensive marketing campaigns to hopefully encourage more sales volume. We're all susceptible to marketing – albeit some more than others – so make sure to be aware of marketing campaigns and your responses to these marketing campaigns. Ask yourself, "Am I buying this because I really need it, or am I buying this because of a clever marketing campaign alone?"
Especially be wary of special financing offers. If you see ads that encourage you to "buy it today, pay for it later," remember that retailers are hoping you'll pay for it not only later, but much later, when a hefty financing charge is slapped onto the bill.
4. Remember that "limited time" promotes impulsiveness.
People don't like the idea that doors might be closing, opportunities might disappear, and deals are temporary. Built into Black Friday is the idea that, if you don't buy now, you'll might never get the same deal again.
It's a limited time offer!
Hurry in before inventory is sold out!
Click to order now, this deal won't last long! [Countdown timer included]
Resist the urge to buy something simply because time is running out. Instead, view these as opportunities not to buy something you don't need, and keep money in your bank account. Be smart. Buy for the right reasons.
5. Let your vision of the future guide you.
Are you living for today, or are you living for a better tomorrow? It's easy to live in the moment, not thinking about the future consequences of our actions.
Instead of thinking about the short-term benefits material possessions provide to you, consider the long-term benefits of saving money and building your financial future. What would your retirement look like if you invested the money you originally purposed for a new flat-screen television? How might your children be blessed by an inheritance saved up by regularly saying "no" to your excessive wants and "yes" to your needs?
In order to be a smart Black Friday shopper, it's tremendously helpful to change the way you think about material possessions. The more content you can be with what you have, the better.
6. Use Ebates to get cash back on purchases.
Combined with Black Friday sales, Ebates.com sweetens deals by offering cash back on your purchases. Several years ago I wrote a review of Ebates because I couldn't believe how few people were taking advantage of it.
Here's how it works. Merchants pay Ebates to refer customers to them. Then Ebates pays a chunk of that money back to the shoppers themselves. Everybody wins.
Definitely check out Ebates.com if/when shopping on Black Friday. In fact, any time you make a purchase online it's worth looking to see if you can save money using Ebates first.
7. Be a good example.
Your children are watching you. If you stand in line for hours with your children in the cold waiting for a store to open, what does that communicate to your kids? Are they going to place an emphasis on material possessions because you're braving the crowds to get the latest trinket?
Remind your children, especially if you're going Black Friday shopping with them, that it's important to have the proper perspective on stuff. Stuff is only stuff. It's not what's important in life. Give your children proper perspective and make Black Friday shopping a learning opportunity. A few lessons kids can learn include:
- If I don't get the deal I want, that's okay – the sky isn't going to fall.
- If I don't have enough money in my budget for what I want, that's okay – I'll save up money to make purchases later.
- Frugality is a good thing, but I'm not going to trample others to get the latest deal – people are much more valuable than the latest gadgets.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday can be a great time to get some deals. When you go shopping, make sure to shop smart. Think before you even leave your house or get online to get a deal. Be intentional with your shopping, not reactionary, impulsive, or compulsive. Have fun, be safe, and be thoughtful while grabbing some smart deals.
Do you like shopping on Black Friday? Have any more tips you'd like to add? Leave a comment!
Tips to put more money in your pocket & Biblical principles on managing it well.
Just click to take our FREE E-course to get 5 simple lessons to help you improve your financial life today!
Better manage your money, pay off debt, save more, using key Biblical principles!


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The angel Gabriel (pronounced Gav-ree-ayl in Hebrew) means the justice or righteousness of God. The root form of the word, g-v-r, is connected with courage and heroism, as well as a word meaning a man. Thus, Gabriel could be literally translated as a "man of God," who courageously lives according to the universal laws. The root of Gabriel is also connected with the attribute of Gevorah on the left side of the Tree of Life. Whereas Michael is on God's right hand, Gabriel is on God's left hand. The left hand is the one that metes out punishment; the right hand overrules strict justice and is more merciful and thus more lenient.
Gabriel is the angel that is sent to destroy the cities of sin, Sodom and Gemorrah, and some sources say that it was Gabriel, not Michael, that annihilated Sennacherib's camp. This view is obviously more consistent with the general description of these two archangels, however, it is important to note that there are many opinions expressed by biblical commentaries that often are in opposition with one another, depending upon the point being made. Therefore, as the trans-rational realms of souls, angels and heavenly beings are, beyond definitive description, we must be careful not to assign any limited constructs. Still, we can probe the depths of our own beings to find ways to connect with parts of ourselves that are amenable to self-empowerment, each of which can be associated with one or more angels.
It is taught that Gabriel is in charge of souls and also in charge of the moon. The moon, in Kabbalah, is considered to be the dwelling place of souls that have not yet been bound to physical bodies. Gabriel is also viewed as one of the main assistants of the Angel of Death, who will be discussed the final chapter of this book.
Biblical commentators often contradict one another in various biblical stories where an unnamed angel appears, particularly in the case of Gabriel or Michael. There is general agreement, nonetheless, that when either of these angels is experienced then the Presence of the Divine can be assumed. When these particular angels are doing their job, so to speak, they remove some veils of confusion, thus more readily revealing the Divine Presence. This can be seen in a number of episodes of the Bible.
An example would be in Genesis 18, in the famous exchange between Abraham and angels who informed him of the birth of Isaac. This same section includes an encounter between Abraham and God, plus an added interaction regarding the destruction of Sodom. In these instances, we are not certain which angel is being represented. This is how it appears in the Bible:
"It [the angel Michael or Gabriel] said [to Abraham], 'I will return next year; and, behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.' [When Sarah heard this] she laughed, and asked herself, 'Even though I am old and [Abraham] is also old, will I have this joy?'"
Immediately following this, there is a shift of subject: "And the Lord asked Abraham [directly], 'Why did Sarah laugh? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return to you, at this season, and Sarah shall have a son….'"
The Bible now continues: "And the Lord said [directly, to Abraham], 'Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grave; I will go down now, and see what they have done.' And the men [angels] turned away and went toward Sodom; but Abraham still stood before the Lord."
The section continues with an the debate previously mentioned between Abraham and God, where Abraham attempts to negotiate on behalf of the righteous people who would be killed if the entire city were to be destroyed. God agrees not to destroy the city if fifty righteous people can be found. How about forty, Abraham asks? And God agrees not to destroy the city if forty righteous can be found. Thirty, twenty, ten; Abraham works his way down, and God agrees with him. This is where it ends; Abraham stops negotiating at ten.
One more example in which we are not certain of the angel's is the story of Moses and the burning bush. In the oral tradition, some say this angel was Michael, some say Gabriel, some say Zagzagael, and it is almost certain that others have been identified. Interestingly, oral tradition describes these three angels as the one's who attended Moses at the time of his death.
The Torah teaches:
"The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the middle of a bush. [Moses] looked and the bush burned with fire, but was not consumed. Moses said to himself, 'I will stop, look and see this great sight—why the bush is not burnt.' When the Lord saw that [Moses] had stopped and turned, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, 'Moses, Moses'. And he [Moses] said, 'Here am I.'"
The oral tradition expresses wonder that a thorn bush was used to be the focus of this exchange and says that one reason is to teach that God's Presence can be found in the lowliest forms of creation, including a seemingly meaningless bush in the middle of the desert.
The important point to note here is that the commentators of the oral tradition use the biblical stories as wisdom teachings, and they use the tools of biblical analysis freely to make their points. The identities of angels have characteristics associated with their names. When the angel Zagzagael is invoked, it means literally, "zagzag," to polish or make transparent, and "El," a name of God. So using Zagzagael as the angel suggests the idea of "making something transparent so that God can be seen." In this way, the angel of the Burning Bush represents something like the Looking Glass of Alice, a mystical gateway for seeing into extraordinary realms.
When associated with the archangel Michael, the Burning Bush becomes a story connected with the attribute of merciful, loving-kindness. When associated with the archangel Gabriel, the Burning Bush is connected with justice and law. As the story unfolds and God speaks to Moses, any of the above points can be demonstrated. The very fact that God is revealed to Moses support Zagzagael and that the message in this passage from God to Moses to end the affliction of the people can be learned through either mercy and loving kindness or through justice and law, depending upon one's perspective. This is a crucial point and shows that the names used to represent a face of God, or the names of various angels who represent divine attributes, are key factors in how a reading is to be understood.
The archangels Michael and Gabriel represent two poles on the Tree of Life, they are both viewed as princes—meaning they each represent clear archetypes—and there are distinct differences in the qualities of each. When we see, for example, a driver speeding recklessly and dangerously, but still surviving without being stopped by the police or causing an accident, we feel the presence of Michael. When we see someone getting a speeding ticket or worse, a terrible wreck on the side of the road, we experience the presence of Gabriel. We encounter dozens of events like this every day and the way we react reveals the angel-field of consciousness at that moment.
The reader should note that various events in life evoke clear feelings within each of us. These feelings, however subtle, are always connected with the angelic realms—that is to say, we are never separate from our own sensations, our own emotions, our own thoughts, and our own inner urge that pulls us toward raising our consciousness (our "good" inclination), or in letting go into lower levels of consciousness (our "not-good" inclination).
Thus, we can notice an open and expansive mood or a contracted, tight mood and move from one to the other dependent upon our inner focus without much of a change in what is happening around us. If we cling to these moods, our activities will be influenced by them; if we hold them lightly, with a slight detachment in a "witness," (which is what angel consciousness invokes) our activities will not be as dependent upon our changing moods.


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Real Life Marketing
Find champions and advocates and ask them for help.
Offer book copies as door prizes at events.
Ask to be a guest on podcasts, TV and radio shows.
Send press releases out.
Ask for reviews from anyone you give a book to.
Partner with a nonprofit by giving a portion of book sale proceeds to them in return for their help.
Donate books to relevant organizations that could bring exposure/sales.
Include books for attendees when speaking and wrap the cost into your fee.
Offer free copies to waiting rooms that might bring exposure and fit your book topic
Online Marketing
Post your book in your e-mail signature line with an Amazon link
Use Amazon affiliates for extra profit
Sign up for Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and offer yourself as an expert
Guest blog with relevant partners
Social Media Marketing
Use your 100 lessons as individual posts
Use videos and blogs that Pacelli Publishing created for you on all platforms
Create graphics or smartphone photos with text for Pinterest and instagram
Ask for reviews on Linkedin, FB, etc.
Create and post graphics of Amazon reviews
Add your book as a "publication" on Linkedin
Let us know how we can help in any way with your book writing and publishing needs!
Lonnie and Patty Pacelli


text: Equipment Shipyard Cranes Our knowledge of shipbuilding processes helps us to deliver shipbuilding cranes that are specially designed for your industry. For over 50 years, shipbuilders have been coming to Konecranes – and coming back with repeat business. Browse the shipyard book Watch Video Lifting the shipbuilding process We offer a wide range of equipment for shipbuilding from workshop chain hoists to the Goliath Gantry Crane. Our experience with over one hundred shipyards worldwide helps us to understand your needs. We have delivered cranes to the Arctic and to environments where they endure dust storms and extreme heat. Get us involved early, and we can provide not just cranes, but a complete lifting solution for your shipyard. Block Handling Cranes Available in bridge, semi-gantry and gantry design Floating Dock Cranes Special type of single boom cranes for floating dock launches and repairs Goliath Gantry Cranes A key element in increasing the productivity of your shipyard Plate Handling Cranes Tailored to maximize the efficiency and safety of your shipyard Single Boom Shipyard Cranes Great choice for general ship outfitting, small and large shipbuilding and repairs Double Boom Shipyard Cranes Exceptional rigidity for very precise load handling Service Lifetime Support We meet your demand for maximum uptime, performance, reliability and safety while reducing the total lifetime cost of your container handling equipment. Service for your crane Truconnect® Truconnect® remote service TRUCONNECT® remote service provides 24/7 access to a global network of support centers, with crane experts and specialists, offering problem solving and helping to reduce downtime. More About Truconnect® Customer Story Playing Big In Brazil "Konecranes, in our view, provides us with very, very high-level technology. It has a very good market share and so we thought it would be the right partner for this project. And it was. Next time we could even put the responsibility for the whole crane project on Konecranes as the main contractor." Angelo Bellelis, CEO, Estaleiro Atlântico Sul Read More


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Patient Reviews
What Our Patients are Saying
"The staff is fantastic! I never had to wait — they were quick, professional, and kind. Dr. Rad made the process as pleasant as possible and did it with good humor. The office utilized the latest technology and is a pleasant place to be. I would highly recommend Rad Orthodontics!" – Amy
"I am extremely satisfied and happy with the entire experience. The change is amazing, and the length of treatment was shorter than I expected. The staff was the friendliest I have ever encountered; professional but extremely personable." – Guy
"By far the most pleasant experience I've had at a doctor's office." – Dawn
"I was very nervous about the braces, but Rad2 Orthodontics was very cordial and pleasant and put me promptly at ease. They explained the entire process to us and allowed us to ask any questions we had." – Grace


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I've been putting together my little house little by little, trying to find or create the perfect pieces for each room, with my living room evolving into a very earthy, travel and camp themed room, (and a perfect place to display my growing thermos collection.) In some of my room research, I read that instead of depending on your harsh overhead lighting for rooms, you should instead depend on dispersing lighting throughout the room with lamps and such, with at least three sources in each room. Let me tell you something y'all... lamps are expensive! Being a total tight-ass, and not entirely satisfied with the limited lamp selection in my area, I started pondering the steps it would take to create my own lamp out of something I loved and would compliment the room, when it hit me... thermos!
I ordered an inexpensive lamp kit off of amazon, borrowed my dad and his drill for a bit, and whipped out the cutest little lamp for my sofa table.
lamp kit
thermos (or vase, lunchbox, action figure...the possibilities are limitless!)
$15 (mostly for the lamp kit)
Step One: Drill a hole through both the lid of the thermos and the screw on top so that they're aligned (this is where the socket will be attached,) and another hole on the side of the thermos near the very bottom (where the plug side of the cord will come through.)
Step 2: If you're using an older glass lined thermos, you'll obviously hear that odious tinkling of broken glass. My thermos was double lined with glass and plastic, so I had to just shake out as much of the glass liner as possible. There's a little big left in the bottom of my thermos, but unless you're wanting to use your lamp as a maraca, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The lid will prevent you from having any shards that are dangerous.
Step 3: Thread the cord through the base of the thermos and up through the lid holes. (Before threading you might want to tape the ends of the cord together to make it easier to pull through the holes.) Then thread the cord through the base of the socket (this will go on the inside of the thermos, flush with the bottom of the screw on lid.)
Step 4: If you're wanting a lamp whose shade will require a harp and finial, then screw on the harp bottom, if you'd like a traditional lamp shade, you'll attach the socket cap instead.
Step 5: Following the directions within the kit (hey y'all, I'm not an electrician,) you'll then attach the hot wire and neutral wires to the push through socket.
Step 6: Pop on that lampshade, screw in your CFL (eco-friendly baby!) and plug that sucker in y'all.
I know...it's almost embarrassingly easy to create, and I'm so excited to see what other items I can create in the future. I'm obsessed!


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Never change, Shaq
Shaq has never been afraid to have a good time and get outside his comfort zone. And that has continued in his retirement. The four-time NBA champion has been an unstoppable center, a rapper, a movie star, and a sports commentator. Let's add Belgian DJ to that list.
Thanks to all the people who came to see DJ DIESEL ROCK TOMORROWLAND BELGIUM #DJDiesel #trapking pic.twitter.com/2Cp46dQWh6— SHAQ (@SHAQ) July 25, 2016
Now, some would say he's not doing much but dancing to a recorded track. But you can't deny it'd be awesome to see Shaq DJ stateside.
The Falcons decided to release Devin Hester on Tuesday after he missed much of last season while recovering from toe surgery.
Needless to say, NFL Twitter didn't take long to start celebrating Hester's accomplishments so far.
Devin Hester changed the game when he entered the NFL. Even though he was just a specialist in 2006, he was #Bears best scoring threat.— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 26, 2016
Devin Hester will be a tough HOF case one day. Similar to Vinatieri as a specialist .— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) July 26, 2016
It will be interesting to see where Hester lands this season, especially if he gets to have a revenge game against the Falcons
We understand celebrating Ken Griffey Jr., but this seems like a bit much.
SoleCollector: 24EVER https://t.co/sHF4WmX5D4 pic.twitter.com/nOFboqx096— Victor M Negron (@negroloinci) July 25, 2016
It's hot today! pic.twitter.com/cU0oDwhmym— PEANUTS (@Snoopy) July 26, 2016
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images


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sunday morning: 8am we text each other to make a decision {yes we are only separated by one floor and no we didn't get out of bed to have this conversation in person}. we were both exhausted and not quite awake yet so the texts went on for about 20 minutes as neither of us could make a decision. finally, tater says "let's pretend we are young again and just go with the flow" as if we are old ladies, but that was all we needed to get us up and moving around.
as we left for the tailgate it was actually quite pleasant outside...the calm before the storm if you will. when we got to the tailgate the energy was off the chain. music was blaring, fire pits were roaring, and jello shots were being passed to the masses. we only lasted 30 minutes before the torrential downpour and 40 mph wind gusts began and we instantly wondered if we should have stayed home in our pj's on the couch. but no, we are seahawks fans, and seahawks fans tailgate in the pouring rain, huddled under a tent that's about to blow over screaming SEA....HAWKS! over and over again until the rain finally subsides.
some friends were at a nearby bar so we met up with them and quickly found a table to our surprise. the bar was packed...green and blue was everywhere and of course we checked out every girl to see what new cute gear she had on. the first half of the game was a joke. the third quarter wasn't any better and by the time wilson threw his last interception of the night, we said game over. but we weren't about to leave and then suddenly, with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter, things turned around, the stars aligned and it was destiny. they won the game and they were going back to the super bowl {tears may have been shed, not gonna lie}. the bar went bananas. people we didn't even know where hugging us, we were jumping up and down screaming, and we thought we may die of a heart attack from the suspense. it was the most incredible come back in all of nfl championship history and it was our team.
it wasn't the best game, actually it was probably the most awful game they had played in quite some time, but it's not how you start, it's how you finish...and they weren't giving up, and neither are we!
|{huddled under the tent hiding from the rain}
|{only in the northwest}
|{it's not a tailgate without a little beer pong}
|{henry's tavern}
|{we couldn't contain our excitement}
{total chaos in the bar. it was absolutely insane and the most amazing day}
tater and tot


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Part 48, Lesson #20, DNA Changes Happening Now, and God's Opposition to Religious Law
December 7, 2012
Kathryn: Today was an especially difficult day for me and for others I spoke to. It feels like the physical symptoms of being overwhelmed, frazzled, but I am not feeling it emotionally, just physically. It is a different combination of feelings than I ever remember feeling.
Yahweh: What you are feeling is natural, given the stress of what you have been trying to accomplish recently, but that is not the most powerful reason. You are right about the feeling not being recognizable, because it is a response to all the new energy around you, like a whirlwind that kicks up dust as it passes."
K: It also feels like the physical symptoms of being really tired, and a little off balance and out of synch with time as I usually experience it. Wobbly.
Y: That's right. Your system is being overwhelmed by the energy we are sending, in ever greater intensity, even though you have been prepared for this emotionally. This is why we send the energy in waves, to give you a chance to absorb and adjust, then rest for a while. Today was a case of energy rising quickly, from about 9 am on the East Coast.
The energy is made up of a combination of things. Of course the "carrier" energy is our Unconditional Love, which many of you are accustomed to feeling, but there are also other elements which are more disruptive to your nervous system. There is electrical energy of a special sort, involving photon particles, which create an interplay with your DNA.
Genes which were dormant for thousands of years are now being activated to fulfill the human destiny which we envisioned from the time your race was Created. There has always been more potential than you were using, as scientists have noticed. Those dormant abilities are now being sparked into action. This is why we tell you that the planet will be changing; because the human race is changing.
It is natural that a disruption in your genetic make-up would make you feel grumpy, or at least off-balance. The process is ongoing, not yet complete. The result for all humans will eventually be a more open sense of connection with the Earth herself, with Us, and with each other.
We have said that greed will become a thing of the past because it will no longer be a part of your genetic make-up to be as aggressive as you have been. This will not change your drive to create - just the opposite. The energy which you used to have to use to subdue and manage your difficult emotions will be available to accomplish other things. It will not be an absolute change right away, just subtle shifting in the tendencies to react from a fight or flight stance. Rage will be downgraded to anger, anger to mild irritation, irritation to neutrality.
On the positive scale, happiness will increase enormously, for many reasons, but first among them will be the sense of calm and self-confidence which comes from managing your emotions well, and trusting yourself. This will become easier as subsequent generations of children are surrounded by people who are balanced and companionable.
"The early atmosphere which most children are forced to acclimate to is generally one of anxiety, irritability and impatience, even in the best of families. This will change as more and more parents are free to work only at the things which bring fulfillment and creative satisfaction in harmony with others.
The days of 50, 60, 70 hour work weeks will be a thing of the past. Families will spend relaxed time with each other, enjoying outdoor activities and community events. Life will be more like what you have felt when you are "on vacation." Yes, I am describing an idyllic state. It may take some time before all the elements are in place, but life on Gaia will begin to improve very soon.
The first changes will be felt internally, since that is what makes external change possible. You will feel a greater sense of calm, which will lead into gratitude. You will begin looking around yourselves with pleasure, noticing the beauty in Nature, and in each other. Your ability to "read" emotions in each other will increase, making communication less strained, more fluid, as your telepathic abilities develop and become acceptable, appreciated, even admired.
You will notice in your friends and family members a new recognition of who you really are, which will make it easier to at last embrace the True Nature of your own being. This dramatic shift in the way you are perceived will reduce the anxiety and paranoia of having been largely misunderstood by those around you.
It is our fondest wish that none of our Dear Children ever again experience the terrible depression which results from "being hard on yourself." It was never our intention for you to suffer this harshness to your deepest Self. To us, you are perfect, wonderful Creations of our Hearts, unknowing and badly misdirected, but perfect in the Body and the Soul we created for you.
You took on this challenge of coming to Earth now. You are the ones who were most eager and insistent about volunteering at this time. There are only so many soul-slots to offer, depending upon the possible births available over the past 3 or 4 generations. You are the ones who were chosen to be here now, the special emissaries of Light and Love who have worked for many lifetimes to accomplish this feat of Ascension. Be assured that not every soul who might have been ready to incarnate has been able to do so yet.
"It is important for you to know that from the point of view of Spirit, the opportunity to experience life in a human body is a precious gift, not an affliction which you must suffer through. You, My Children, were the eager and excited ones who worked hard to accomplish this transition to higher elevations, and without your efforts, every one, it would not be possible. You may be thinking that you have not contributed enough, or what you came here to do, but that is not the way we see it. In our eyes, you have risen to the challenges, even when the results do not seem remarkable. You have continued to learn and to grow. This is what we appreciate and admire.
"You see, we are more aware than you were before you came here of the actual in situ challenges you would encounter. It is often the tendency of eager souls in Spirit form to underestimate the extreme difficulty of adapting to the dense, dark atmosphere you have all been experiencing. We know how hard it is to maintain your balance, to withstand the forces of Darkness, and to maintain your strong connection to Us under those circumstances. From Our point of view, getting through a life with the ability still intact to breathe a comfortable breath and reach out a hand to another is a triumph. If you are able to maintain a sense of goodwill and achieve a level of introspection it is a grand victory.
"We are also aware of the tendency you have to think of your God as someone who critiques and judges everything you do, and thinks in terms of punishment and deprivation for those who fall short of their original plan for their life. Worse yet, many religions preach a hellfire and brimstone scenario in which God/Allah/Jehovah/Yahweh would frown and condemn you if you have pleasurable sex without getting married first, or dance ecstatically, or sing rollicking, exuberant songs. Nothing could be further from the truth. We revel in seeing our Dear Children feeling joyful and free, and we hope to see much more of it in the coming times. Of course we smile on those who adore their children and their partners.
"Regardless of the legalistic entanglements your cultures have imposed as law, Love is all that matters. We find it especially regrettable when those laws are passed in the name of religion. Why would we care how and where you create Love? If a relationship is based in Unconditional Love, it will spawn good feelings in the people around them.
Laws should never be imposed to control how or when or whom a person can love or marry if they want to, except of course to protect children from abuse. There would be no need for such laws in a loving, respectful culture where abuse was not a way of life.
We understand that the strong sexual instincts you have lived with can also be very difficult to manage, and can lead to unfortunate lustful transgressions from Unconditional Love. It is unfortunate that the combination of a harsh and judgmental culture combined with strong sexual attractions can produce an environment of impossible oppression of those instincts, making them even more difficult to manage. This too will be modified as the more aggressive tendencies are mitigated with DNA changes. You will find your love relationships more fulfilling, less demanding, and richer in tenderness, companionship and genuine respect for one another.
We tell you these things to try to come between you and your self-hating disrespect. We cannot stress enough how wrong this Dark-force inspired idea is. It was one of the most destructive original Dark ideas which came between you and your Spirit connections, along with the idea that We are cruel as well. If you believe we want to threaten, condemn and control you, then it would be all right to do it to yourself, wouldn't it? It is not. We love you, and we do not want to see you suffer unnecessarily, especially at your own hand.
Accept our Love, Dear Ones, and begin now to establish the same conditions on Earth as we have created here, in the higher dimensions, and which you have experienced each time you come Home to us after a life on Gaia. Have no fear of the future, because we will not initiate circumstances which were not in our Original Agreement - your Soul Contract. Look forward with joy, as we do, to the coming adventures.
We love you as our own, every One of you, regardless of your successes or failures as you see them. Be at peace, live in Love,
I Am That I Am"


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Wednesday, August 23, 2017 - 1:15pm
Mercyhurst University will celebrate Constitution Day, which this year is observed on Monday, Sept. 18, with events at both its Erie and North East campuses.
The observance begins with Mercyhurst's Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society hosting a roundtable discussion titled "Enemies of the People? Journalism and Ethics." The event is set for Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. in Mercy Heritage Room. Panelists include journalists Lisa Adams of WICU/WSEE, Scott Bremner of WJET/FOX 66 and Pat Howard of the Erie Times-News, along with Brian Sheridan of Mercyhurst's Department of Communication and Dr. Thomas Donahue of the Department of Philosophy. The discussion is free and open to the public. For more information, email Dr. Verna Ehret at email@example.com.
Also on Monday, Mercyhurst mascot Luke the Laker will be handing out 400 pocket constitutions across campus.
Then, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, Mercyhurst North East will screen Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in Alex Theatre at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Also, all day Sunday, Sept. 17, Mercyhurst Radio WMCE will intersperse its programming with "Little Known Facts About the Constitution."
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The occasion is celebrated annually in honor of all U.S. citizens and the blessings of freedom our founding fathers secured for us.


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What began as a quest to help humans sleep in the International Space Station has become a technology soothing people worldwide.
Not only that, It's also a celebrated "spinoff technology" in the latest edition of NASA's prestigious annual publication, appropriately titled Spinoff.
The 2015 issue recognizes an array of cutting edge companies and products that began with research for NASA but ultimately led to technologies for life right here on planet Earth.