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Extract from Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge's London Travel Diary
|Wednesday. 6. February. [1839]
yesterday was a busy day with me. In the morning Mr C. & myself received a note from Mr Stevenson and two cards of admittance to the House of Lords. The Queen was to go in state to open Parliament and the ceremonies were expected to be brilliant and imposing. They would be very curious & interesting to persons, like ourselves, who had never witnessed any thing of the kind before. There was a great demand for tickets and difficulty in obtaining them. Mrs Stevenson anxious that I should see the shew, had requested Mr Stevenson to write to Lord Willoughby for them. This he had accordingly done and they had been sent only on the morning of the day; rather late for my convenience as I had made no preparation for going and it was necessary to go in very full dress. I hesitated between my desire to be present at such a scene, and alarm at the thought of so much hurry and trouble. Curiosity prevailed. Then it was such a privilege to go! I knew that Mrs M. was dying for a ticket which she could not obtain. Miss B. wrote me a note of congratulation on my good fortune. Mr D. & Miss S. desired exceedingly to be present but the thing was impossible. How could I resist the temptation of seeing what so many persons desired in vain to see. So that roused from the torpor of indolence which so often makes me feel that "le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle," I exerted myself to be dressed. Bare arms, bare neck, a black satin dress made by Mrs Murray and trailing gloriously upon the ground; my hair arranged by Mrs Stevenson's maid with her lady's plumes (five tall ostrich feathers) and pearls, a feronnière with a diamond frontlet, and a necklace with a diamond clasp; wrapped in an elegant white Indian shawl of my own, my looking-glass assured me that I was presentable even in the House of Lords. Mr Coolidge and myself entered our carriage at a quarter past twelve. Long, however, before we reached our destination we were forced to take our place in a line of carriages, of formidable length before us and which was constantly lengthening in the rear. Carriage after carriage of those in front, deposited it's occupants, and slowly, surely our own drew up to fill each vacant space as it occurred. There was no hurry, no confusion, the street on both sides bordered with police-[. . .] men who kept all things and persons in exact order. Thousands of spectators were assembled but every thing was conducted peacefully and properly. Presently our carriage stopped before the door of the House of Lords. We entered together, and after traversing some passage and stair-ways, we passed through the Royal Gallery to the door of the "Salle de Spectacle." Here we were compelled to part. Mr Coolidge's ticket was for the Royal Gallery, Morning dress, and carried him no farther. I entered the Hall alone but with no feeling of embarrassment. I was a stranger—no one was watching for or looking at me. There was no one to whom my good or ill appearance was a matter of the smallest moment. There were no eyes sharpened by friendship or malice to note whether my entrée were graceful or awkward. Those who looked at all looked with utter indifference. They were thinking only of themselves, their friends or their enemies. The coat of darkness worn by Jack the Giant Killer, had it covered my satin, cashmere and pearls, could scarce have made my 'incognita' more complete. The man in waiting by whatever name he may be known, performed his mechanical duty. He looked at my ticket which was for the Strangers' Gallery, informed me that all there was full, but that he could find me standing room in a window in the body of the House. Standing room for one who can no more stand than an empty sack!—Who sinks into a seat as if volition were out of the question, and the law of gravity the only moving power! Standing room were words of direful import to ears like mine, but I determined to trust to chance, and took my place accordingly, in the recess of a window, behind a row of ladies seated comfortably on a cushioned form. Chance did not stand my friend, and it was to Courtesy that I was indebted for a place on that very cushioned form, the ladies pressing more closely together and inviting me to be seated among them. Gratefully I accepted the offer and found a commodious resting place, rather farther than I liked from the throne and the door of entrance, but far better than, coming so late, I had any right to expect. I believe I was the last lady under the rank of a peeress, who obtained a seat at all. It was now past one—the Queen not expected until two, and I had time to look round and observe. The room was full or filling fast. There were Peers in their robes of scarlet, gold and ermine; Peeresses in velvet, satin, plumes & diamonds; Judges in flowing wigs; Ambassadors of various nations in various rich dresses with stars, ribbons and orders innumerable; ladies not "milédis" with tickets of admission, dressed some tastefully, others in bad taste; looking, some, like ladies of Nature's making, and others as if they could be made ladies by no process of Fortune.
In about an hour and a half the firing of cannon and the "fanfare" of trumpets announced the arrival of the Queen. Her Majesty having passed through the Royal Gallery, in full sight of the ticket holders, entered the Hall. She wore her full robes of state with the crown on her head, and was preceded, accompanied or followed, by members of the Royal Family, great officers of state, Ladies in waiting, military men, mace-bearers &c &c. Such a gorgeous display of diamonds, gold, scarlet, purple, stars, crosses, ribands, plumes, velvet & ermine of course I had never witnessed. The Queen having seated herself upon the throne, with Lord Melville on one side, bearing the sword of state, and Lord Shaftesbury on the other with the cap of maintenance, remained for a few moments quiet & calm and apparently as much at her ease as if in her own chamber. In the mean while the "Gentlemen of the House of Commons" having been summoned, made their entry by a side door, into a place partitioned off for them, a sort of pen, at the other end of the Hall and opposite the throne. They came in awkwardly, stumbling & almost tumbling over each other, very much as sheep do when driven for the night into their fold. Some little time elapsed before order could become the order of the day, but silence at length prevailed until broken by the silver tones of the young Queen. She read her "speech from the throne," the string of commonplaces prepared for the occasion, and which, I presume, was all sufficient for what the purpose it was meant to serve, heads of chapters for future development in parliamentary debate, a cautious text for long commentaries. The Queen's reading was remarkably correct and exact. Her voice clear, well sustained and never faltering nor failing for an instant. Her articulation distinct, her manner calm, self-possessed and dignified. She emphasized her words and sentences enough to give them their full meaning and their relations to each other, but in no instance so as to bring some subjects into bolder relief and throw others comparatively into the shade. She gave nothing to the speech, by accent, tone or manner, which it did not inherently possess, treating as I have said the matters which it discussed with strict impartiality, and the absence of all preference for one over the other. This no doubt was just as it should be, and the Queen had probably repeated her lesson in private more than once before committing it to the public ear. The ceremony over Her Majesty rose slowly and composedly and retired from the Hall, speaking as she passed, I think to the Duke of Cambridge. Her manner, movements and carriage were all worthy of her position, but her want of height is a misfortune in a Queen. She is altogether too short for Royalty. When she entered the Hall with her large and somewhat clumsy crown, which upon that little head and above that childish face, is singularly unbecoming, it seemed [. . .] out of proportion with her petite figure; the white plumes of the ladies in attendance waved high above the symbol of power and royalty, which in itself produced an effect not unlike that of the bearskin cap worn by a dragoon. Were the Queen six inches taller the moral effect of her presence would be altogether greater. How willingly would I give her Majesty the six inches in which she is deficient; thus raising her to "a just stature," and bringing me down no lower than my pretensions.
The Queen gone, the crowd was long in dispersing, and even when the Hall and Royal Gallery were cleared, the stairs and entries were filled with persons waiting for their carriages to draw up to the door. Name after name was shouted out as each successive carriage stopped the way. Each one in their turn—no confusion, no disorder, and after a reasonable delay I found myself safe on my way home again.
I know not why, but the scene I had so recently witnessed seemed to me to have no more character of reality than had I seen it on the stage. It was a shew, a theatrical pageant, not a sober and serious ceremony by which a great people ushered in their national councils—those deliberations and debates which almost decide the fate of the world. That young girl with a crown on her head, that sword of state and cap of maintenance, those gowns and wigs, all that scarlet and gold, did they belong to the realm of fact & not of fiction?—Perhaps to feel as one should feel on such an occasions, it is necessary to have been born and brought up where they are of frequent occurrence and associated with ideas of reality, of power and of dignity. An American coming from a land so matter-of-fact as ours, where so little is given to the imagination or senses, finds it difficult to regard this pageantry except as a mere shew—just as a protestant regards the ceremonies of the Roman Catholic religion. I am by no means sure that we have not made a great mistake in simplifying and vulgarizing the forms of our Government too much. We have destroyed too entirely the "prestige" which is so often the foundation of respect.
Another circumstance prevented my receiving a full impression from the glories of the day. The great glories were wanting. The distinguished men whom I hoped to see were were absent. The Duke of Wellington kept away—Lord Brougham staid growling in his own kennel. To be sure My Lord Viscount Melbourne was present—"Gros et gras, le teint frais et la bouche vermeille—Le pauvre homme."—and the Royal Duke of Cambridge with the paunch if not the wit of Falstaff, was making himself agreeable to the ladies.—Another drawback to my complete [. . .] satisfaction was the somewhat soiled finery of the ladies. In spite of the brilliant general effect, when you came to examine a little closely you became aware that many plumes were soiled, and that the blonde and silk looked somewhat dingy, as if with the smoke & wear & tear of the last season. There were diamonds however and fine ones, and in one instance at least, they glittered on the person of a woman who though a peeress, should not have insulted by her impure presence the ceremonial state of a Maiden Queen. She occupied a conspicuous position in the ranks of the noble ladies, but I was afterwards told, that her life had been an infamous one. She was present in right of a coronet which an Earl had not been ashamed to bind on her dishonoured brow. Aristocracy of England—ancient & time-hallowed institution, take care what you do, for the times are dangerous, and the spirits of cavil and of doubt are walking widely abroad!
Apropos to faded finery the robes of the Peers were in many cases somewhat the worse for wear, the scarlet passé, the gold tarnished, and the ermine no longer spotless. But this I am told is all as it should be. It is somewhat a point of pride with the Lords that their robes should be shabby. It shews that their titles are not of new creation. The robe is a sort of cloak or loose gown thrown over the shoulders, and capable I should think of being gracefully worn, but the Peers manage it awkwardly, dragging it up, or letting it trail on the ground, twitching it now to one side, now to the other, in great apparent disrespect for so honorable a garment.
Wednesday. 6. February.
I went to a small party at Mrs Morrison's where I met Sir Francis & Lady Chauntrey. He is a fat apoplectic looking man, stout & corpulent, but with a fine bald head. She feeble in health and uninteresting, as is often the case with the wives of distinguished men. Perhaps she might improve upon acquaintance, but she seems now somewhat puffed up in spirit by her husband's honours. He is a self-made man and a man cannot be expected to make himself and his wife too. They have no children and I have heard an amusing story bearing upon this fact. His next heirs are some country relations who are proud to pay him an occasional visit in town where he lives in a good house, in good style, having made a fortune as well as a name and a title for himself. Once on a time then, the country relations came, the parents bringing their children to visit Sir Francis and Lady Chauntrey. One of the little ones, "un enfant terrible," after surveying all the wonders of the drawing room, the carpets, curtains, mirrors, french clock, vases, candelabra &c &c, being particularly struck with some articles more shewy than the rest, exclaimed, with childish greediness and in a loud voice—"Mother are these fine things all to belong to us?" The consternation of the mother at this indiscreet allusion to her expectations, may well be imagined.
cards of admittance were required for strangers who wished to attend the opening of parliament. le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle: "the play is not worth the candle." feronnière: a chain worn as an ornament encircling the head with a jewel at the center (OED). The bearer of the sword of state was actually William Lamb, 2nd viscount Melbourne (London Gazette, 8 Feb. 1839). gros et gras . . . le pauvre homme: "big and bold, fresh complexion and rosy mouth—poor man," is from Molière's Tartuffe, Act 1, Scene 4.


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Shingles can strike at any time. There is no way to predict who will develop shingles, or when, or how severe it will be. In fact, 97 per cent of adults have the virus that causes shingles within them.1
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is characterised by a distinctive unilateral, blistering rash that is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. Nearly all adults have the zoster virus within them.1
For older adults, shingles can be serious, the risk of shingles and related complications increases with age, particularly after the age of 70.1-3 This is exactly what happened with Phillip.
Phillip Jones is the proprietor of Bass Phillip Wines in Victoria. An avid wine maker, he oversees every step of the process.
"I was diagnosed with shingles in early 2006," says Phillip. His diagnosis came around the harvest season – Phillip's busiest working period. "The first symptoms I experienced with this was a driving headache – it was like someone was tearing at my hair. It's the worst thing I've ever suffered and I don't want to have it again," said Phillip.
Phillip describes his pain as "tense, 'zappy', sort of pulling headache and very seriously heavy pain in the head."
Not long after the pain, a rash appeared – "And an itchiness all around the head and the neck".
Shingles is more than just a rash. Sharp pain and hypersensitivity can occur before a rash appears. The most frequent debilitating complication of shingles is post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) – pain that can last for months, even years, after the rash has healed. Shingles pain can be excruciating and has been described as stabbing and burning.
Complications of shingles and PHN can be serious and long-lasting. Shingles may increase the risk of stroke in the following six months.4
Shingles involving the eye (also known as ophthalmic zoster) can occur in up to 25% of shingles cases and can lead to facial scarring and loss of vision. 1,5
In Phillip's case he said "I had a palsy. I lost my taste buds and my sense of smell entirely".
This experience lasted 9 months and was something that Phillip struggled with. It was especially difficult when it impacted his business, income and livelihood.
"The effect of loss of taste and smell was devastating because quality control in this business relies absolutely and fundamentally on taste and regular monitoring of the wine."
"A lot of jobs were not finished and we bottled some wines that were faulty. It just had a massive effect on my business."
"The business was falling down around my ears and I had no idea where the future was heading."
"I cannot live through this again."
What symptoms should I look out for?
In most cases there are initial symptoms 48-72 hours before the rash appears including sensitivity to light, headaches, itching, tingling or severe pain in the affected area and a general feeling of being unwell.
Most people with shingles develop a painful rash, which usually appears as a band or belt on one side of their body.
There is no cure for shingles. However there are treatments that can help reduce the severity and duration of shingles if administered within 72 hours of the onset of the rash.
What can I do?
If shingles is a concern for you or a loved one, you should talk to your doctor for more information about shingles, including government funded prevention and treatment options.
1. NCIRS Herpes Zoster Factsheet August 2017 http://www.ncirs.edu.au/assets/provider_resources/fact-sheets/zoster-
vaccine-fact-sheet.pdf Accessed June 2018 2. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th ed (2017
update). Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health, 2017 3. MacIntyre R. et al. PLoS ONE 2015; 10(4):e0125025 4. Langan SM et al. Clin Infect Dis 2014; 58:1497-1503 5. Harpaz R et al. MMRW 2008 Jun 6;57 (RR-5):1-30.
SeqirusTM is a trademark of Seqirus UK Limited or its affiliates. Seqirus (Australia) Pty Ltd. ABN 66 120 398 067, 63 Poplar Road Parkville, Victoria 3052. Date of preparation June 2018. SEQ/ZOST/0318/0295
SeqirusTM is a trademark of Seqirus UK Limited or its affiliates. Seqirus (Australia) Pty Ltd.
ABN 66 120 398 067, 63 Poplar Road Parkville, Victoria 3052. Date of preparation June
2018. SEQ/ZOST/0318/0295a

subset: commoncrawl


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Posted by sanityinjection on October 6, 2009
I commend to your attention today's column by conservative commentator Thomas Sowell. Sowell, while brilliant and a fine writer, can be a bit of a crank sometimes, and this piece is no exception. He writes about his dismay in receiving a letter form a fifth-grader whose assignment was to ask a "famous person" how they would solve an important problem such as the economy:
Sowell's main point is that the child's teacher should be encouraging him to think for himself rather than looking to celebrities for received wisdom – and also choosing age-appropriate subject matter. After my recent post on the cult of intelligence, Sowell draws attention to the even more pervasive cult of celebrity:
Getting students used to looking to so-called "famous" people for answers is the antithesis of education as a preparation for making up one's own mind as citizens of a democracy, rather than as followers of "leaders."
Nearly two hundred years ago, the great economist David Ricardo said: "I wish that I may never think the smiles of the great and powerful a sufficient inducement to turn aside from the straight path of honesty and the convictions of my own mind."
Although I do take some hope in the fact that a fifth grader from Michigan actually knows who Sowell is.
10 Responses to "Pseudo-education?"
October 6, 2009 at 5:57 pm
In defense of the teacher, this assignment may have been part of a greater assignment that ultimatey culiminates in the student making up his/her own mind based on the opinions and ideas of others, which is what we all do once we have gathered facts and/or ideas. Sometimes, perhaps is the case of this commentator, one jumps too quickly to pick out only a piece of something greater.
October 6, 2009 at 6:05 pm
That being said, it would be nice if the commentator actually printed what the entire assignment was, rather than use a brief statment of it as a launching pad into how "education" should be taught. It also remains to be seen if this 5th grader actually knew what the assignment was to begin with, as I have met many a 5th grader who didn't. The commentator wouldn't dare ever admit that there might be a chance the "educator" was misinterpreted by the student. Conclusion? I smell a big, fat load of theory based on microscopic evidence! Looks like the commentator needs a little ej'cation himself . . .
- October 6, 2009 at 6:05 pm
October 8, 2009 at 8:31 pm
To have the viewpoint that taking a small amount of time away from curriculum to promote self-esteem, diversity and such, is to say that you do not know the research that is out there indicating that spending time on cultivating a positive classroom environment, along with other motivational and esteem building activities, actually promotes learning to its highest level. Droning on and on over curriculum without taking the time to do the fluff and nonsense is actually counterproductive to learning. Learning only takes place when certain factors are present, such as social and physical safety, motivation, etc. Research clearly shows this, and that more information is retained when these factors are present. So straying from curriculum to build positive relationships, motivation, acceptance etc, with kids actually yields a much greater result than sticking to curriculum and watching the kids forget everything you taught them the minute they walk out the door.
October 9, 2009 at 6:07 am
I had a physics teacher once who was passionate about physics but didn't spend a lot of time building relationships with the class, no "fluff and nonsense," if you will. Do you think I learned a lot about physics? I didn't. It's still my least favorite subject and as an adult, I still don't get it. I don't think encouraging a child to be a well rounded individual in as many areas as possible is the same as trying to surrogate parent them. I think it's an educators responsibility to society to do work toward well-roundedness. There's a reason movies like Good Will Hunting and Freedom Writers are so powerful and people love them. Educators get more chunks of a child's life than their own parents do, and without crossing the lines and trying to "parent" them, educators have a uniquie opportunity to help in more aspects than just material. To say that this is trying to be a surrogate parent is to oversimplify something much greater than you probably understand.
October 10, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I will keep that in mind and physics shouldn't be hard! It's mostly a bunch of formulas and energy/movement. The thing that always bogs me down is when they start talking about levers and fulcrums and such, I can never remember which is which!
And anyway, disliking physics is not surprising, I suppose, from a high school Anatomy teacher who is currently studying mummies and who could look at slide after slide of decaying human remains. 😉 It's no wonder I don't like physics!! (wait a minute, I think I was previously blaming the boring teacher!!)


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Storage Units Off 6336 Fairdale Lane in Houston, TX
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Mid-West Storage Units Near Loop 610, I-69
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Is Caffeine Good or Bad? According to the International Coffee Organization, approximately 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day.
Caffeine is the main ingredient in coffee. It is a compound that naturally derives from over sixty plant sources, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao seeds and cola nut seeds. Other than coffee we consume caffeine in tea, soft drinks, particularly energy drinks and colas, sweets, and some cold, allergy and pain medications.
The food and drug Administration considers 300 – 400 milligrams a safe amount of caffeine for adults to consume daily. Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 200mg per day (American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) and teens are advised to not go over 100mg. It is advised that children avoid caffeine (Mayo Clinic).
As a guide, a regular 5oz cup of coffee has 100 to 200 mg of caffeine (depending on strength). Instant coffee contains less, anywhere between 30 and 90 mg per cup. A cup of tea has 50 to 70 mg and soft drinks less than 50 mg.
Everyone reacts differently to caffeine, especially smokers and those of ethnic origin. Some people are highly sensitive to its effects and even a small amount can lead to a jittery feeling, palpitations or insomnia. Headaches and upset stomach can be a reaction to caffeine as well.
Many of us depend on our morning fix of coffee to help us wake up before the day has begun. That's because caffeine is a mild stimulant which activates the central nervous system combating tiredness and improving concentration and focus.
We start to feel the effects after fifteen minutes, the strongest effect apparent after forty five minutes. Caffeine can keep you alert for three to four hours depending on how fast your body absorbs and digests it.
There are mixed views on the health implications of caffeine with the effects differing in each individual dependent on genetic characteristics and lifestyle factors. (Harvard School of Public Health)
We analyse the potential benefits along with the negative effects of consuming caffeine:
In moderate amounts, caffeine has been shown to have positive effects on people's bodies and minds. Caffeine is shown to combat tiredness, boost focus and concentration, improve memory and enhance the ability to exercise. The reason for the energy boost is because caffeine blocks the hypnotic effect of the chemical adenosine in the body which usually acts as a natural sleeping pill (National Geographic).
Caffeine can increase mood as it increases the firing of neurons and the neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies have linked coffee drinking to a lower risk of depression in women (Harvard).
Caffeine is full of antioxidants, the single largest source in the western diet.
Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that three to four cups of coffee per day can lower the risk of liver cancer by half (HSPH) , while another study suggests that drinking four cups per day could also reduce the risk of throat and mouth cancer by half.
And music to most dieters ears is that caffeine may help you burn more fat. This is because it is a stimulant, which means it can boost your metabolism, usually by about 4 to 5% (International Journal of Obesity). A more potent effect on weight loss is its ability to increase energy use in exercise by about 12%.
Furthermore, coffee may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In fact, multiple studies have found that older people with higher levels of caffeine in their blood were more likely to avoid Alzheimer's in years to come. According to the University of Illinois, three to five cups may block brain inflammation which could explain the protective effect.
On the downside:
Caffeine can amplify the stress response in peoples' bodies, resulting in increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as increases in the production of stress hormones adrenalin and noradrenalin. The mind has a part to play as caffeine can magnify an individual's perception of stress. Caffeine generates an emergency response in normal conditions, which stimulates the central nervous system and increases alertness but eventually leads to stress, exhaustion and fatigue (Natural News). Some medics advise those with hypertension or prediabetes to avoid caffeine as readings may lower with the stimulant eliminated. (Lane's Research – Livestrong)
Caffeine may cause anxiety, restlessness, tremor and agitation. This reaction is called caffeineism, a disorder caused by ingesting too much caffeine, usually more than six cups per day. (Washington Post).
Caffeine in energy drinks can be very high, they can have up to ten times as much as a cup of coffee. There have been thousands of cases, mostly in the USA of energy drink poisoning which can cause acute liver failure.
Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine per day during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight in babies.
Extra wakefulness comes at a price. Without eight hours sleep, the human body will not function at its best, physically, mentally or emotionally. People using caffeine as a crutch are doing so because they are making up for a sleep deficit.
Paediatricians recommend that children should avoid caffeine found in soft drinks as it is unknown how it impacts the developing brain. This is partly because caffeine interferes with sleep, and sleep plays a critical role in learning. It can also increase anxiety or nervousness. The FDA are also concerned that many food products such as jelly beans, syrup and chewing gum contain caffeine and are investigating the safety of such foods.
Individuals with anxiety disorders may suffer negative side effects from having too much caffeine. While most of us take it in moderation, it is a reminder that caffeine is a psychoactive substance that can make people more susceptible to the anxiogenic effects of the compound.
Caffeine is addictive and can produce dependency and crippling withdrawal. Some health professionals warn that, by overstimulating the sympathetic nervous system, excessive caffeine can lead to adrenal fatigue.
Caffeine can cause weight gain because it affects cravings for food. Drinking caffeine can prompt hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar caused by a drop in blood glucose levels which increases appetite and causes cravings for high calorie foods.
All in all, moderation seems to be the trick with caffeine. Finding the right balance means we can enjoy a guilt free morning pick me up but know when to stop to avoid any unwelcome side effects. After decades of testing, caffeine remains on the FDA's list of food additives "generally recognised as safe." The Irish Stimulant Drinks Committee have studied the impact of caffeinated drinks on Ireland's public health and concluded that in moderation caffeinated energy drinks cause no serious effects. However, the secret of caffeine is in the delivery system, the healthiest option being green tea, not energy drinks!


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15 May 2019
NZEI Te Riu Roa primary principal and teacher members are being urgently consulted on whether their negotiating teams should return to facilitation with the Ministry of Education through the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).
The Secretary for Education, Iona Holsted, requested that NZEI and the Ministry make a joint application to the ERA, however NZEI says its members need to be consulted on such a decision and therefore the union won't be in a position to respond to the Ministry's request until members have had their say this week.
The Secretary has since advised NZEI that the Ministry will not wait for member consultation to be completed and will instead file a memorandum with the ERA today (Wednesday).
NZEI Te Riu Roa National Secretary, Paul Goulter, says he's disappointed with the Secretary's move and says members have a right to help make such important decisions.
"Members have made every decision in this campaign; it's a fundamental principle of how we operate as a union. The Secretary of Education is riding roughshod over that by going directly to the Employment Relations Authority before members have had their say."
"If there's an improved offer she wants to urgently make, I suggest she just pick up the phone."
Authorised by Paul Goulter, National Secretary, NZEI Te Riu Roa, 178 Willis St, Wellington.
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text: Fed Makes Rate Hike Despite Lack of Inflation Federal Reserve boosts key short-term interest rate By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Dec 13, 2017 2:11 PM CST 36 comments Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Newser) – As expected, the Federal Reserve has boosted a key short-term interest rate at the last US central bank meeting that Janet Yellen is expected to lead, the AP reports. Fed officials ended their two-day meeting by hiking the federal funds rate—what banks charge each other for short-term loans—to a range of 1.25% to 1.5%. The Fed chose to raise the rate despite inflation running consistently below its 2% target. Rate hikes are usually intended to limit inflation, but Fed officials appear to assume that continued rate increases won't stop inflation from climbing above its current 1.6% level. Seven officials voted for the increase. Two opposed, likely due to the lack of inflation: Chicago Fed President Charles Evans and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. (Read more Federal Reserve stories.) My Take on This Story Report a story error Show results | 6% Hilarious 16% Intriguing 17% Depressing 16% Brilliant 9% Scary 36% Ridiculous


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"Just like the soundtracks from the Sound of Music, Salzburg has a built in charm and warmth city. Listening to Mozart, going out & visit at the world famous Hotel Sacher, see the mountains blend right into this historical centre of a city."
"Everyone had a fabulous family day-out in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire. It's simply a pleasant place to relax, walk around & go picnic"
"The Kiss is my favorite portrait painted, and I'd got the re-production oil painted@home by www.pop-gallery.com When kissed it seemed as if indeed imbibe each other, as if each were wine to the other's Thirst, the spirit rushed together at the touch of …"


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- 4Shares
Social media is an international phenomenon, with billions of users globally giving the biggest platforms a vast amount of power today.
From Facebook and Instagram to Twitter and LinkedIn, there are a number of narrative-shaping services out there which serious businesses cannot afford to ignore.
But what are the ways in which social media can benefit commercial organisations and how is this market likely to change in the future?
Table of Contents
Reasons Why Social Media Is So Important Today For Serious Businesses
- Customer engagement
- Employee productivity
- Website growth
Customer Engagement
If you need convincing of the important role that social media plays in the modern world, the raw figures don't lie. Facebook alone musters an army of over 2.2 billion active users, followed by YouTube's 1.5 billion strong customer base.
Even smaller platforms like Twitter and Reddit have around 330 million users apiece, so businesses that want to engage with people of all ages need to master the art of managing a multi-platform social media presence.
Creating viral content is just one aspect of this, although it tends to be the thing which garners the most attention in the media and draws people to a brand in the first place. The Casumo Twitter page is a great example of how a small but growing brand is achieving this, with its own unique spin.
The less exciting but no less essential role that social media plays in customer engagement is that of after-sales support. Consumers will no longer pick up the phone to call a company; they'll head to their social media platform of choice if they need to ask a question or make a complaint.
This is a double-edged sword, as it means that there is also an expectation that businesses must be on-hand to respond to these interactions. This makes a social media presence a necessity, rather than a luxury if you want to avoid looking out of touch and unresponsive.
Employee Productivity
The customer-facing side of social media is the one which gets talked about most often, but it's sensible for serious businesses to remember that there are also practical advantages offered in terms of employee productivity.
At their core, social media services are all about communication. So if platforms can be used to streamline collaboration between workers and optimise the way that information is shared, they will be all the more impactful and beneficial.
Being able to use instant messaging, voice and video calls via Skype, for example, will not only help employees stay in touch with one another across multiple sites; it will also make it straightforward to communicate with clients and consultants around the world.
Social media has removed the geographic restrictions that used to compromise so many potential avenues for growth. The businesses that harness these networking platforms are already reaping the benefits, and you cannot afford to get left behind.
Website Growth
Some social media evangelists might try to convince you that your business doesn't need a website anymore, with social media accounts being enough to bring your brand to the masses. But in all but a handful of cases, this is patently untrue.
Having said that, social media is a powerful ally of any organisation that has found that visitor numbers to its site are dwindling and its search rank is stagnating. Engaging with customers on these platforms is just half the battle; the next thing you have to do is to get them to click through to your website.
Because of this pressure, it is a good idea to tune any social content you post so that it does more than just get likes and shares on social media but also helps to direct people to your site. This will boost visitor numbers, improve your SEO and ideally result in a rise in sales.
Courting conversions via social media is undeniably tricky, but with the right approach, you will be in a better position to help your website grow while also enhancing your presence on a given third party platform.
Another key to social media success is persistence. It is not enough to set up accounts, as they also need to be used regularly to help you gain any kind of momentum.
There are a lot of competition in the social media sphere, so serious businesses should brace themselves for a battle and be prepared to think innovatively if they want to grow.
- 4Shares


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Commission Monday- Flying Dropkick
Continuing with the theme of recapping matches in one panel that wouldn't otherwise be seen from the Heaven and Hell PPV, John the Champ Patreon on the site wanted to see how things would go down with Danielle and Dyna Mo.
Thanks John!
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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186710655802017422.post3145844269851190321..comments2019-12-09T19:31:53.011+00:00Comments on OLDRIGHTIE: A Dose Of Reality.Oldrightiehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186710655802017422.post-1460283059098047132012-03-11T15:16:36.577+00:002012-03-11T15:16:36.577+00:00This looks like one of obummer's tent cities i...This looks like one of obummer's tent cities in detroit.Amusing Bunnihttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186710655802017422.post-75081655444212679802012-03-11T12:23:32.095+00:002012-03-11T12:23:32.095+00:00Powerful stuff, Anon.Powerful stuff, Anon.Oldrightiehttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186710655802017422.post-19262645881862927072012-03-10T17:50:28.151+00:002012-03-10T17:50:28.151+00:00Here is an interesting link. The plot gets deeper ...Here is an interesting link. The plot gets deeper and it would appear that Henry V111 wasn't so stupid after all

http://nesara.insights2.org/CrownTemplars.html

email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186710655802017422.post-56533156430510311022012-03-10T16:24:14.403+00:002012-03-10T16:24:14.403+00:00GS, it's a club which rewards its own. Much of...GS, it's a club which rewards its own. Much of these persons' wealth is garnered to the advantage of politicians and mandarins who, post their nefarious time in Westminster, pop over to the club's luxury hotels post tenures.Oldrightiehttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186710655802017422.post-92135126429265659082012-03-10T12:22:58.832+00:002012-03-10T12:22:58.832+00:00Just before I read you blog I was reading this... ...Just before I read you blog I was reading this...
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Barclays chief Bob Diamond could receive £27million in pay, bonuses, shares and other benefits;
238 senior staff at Barclays received average bonuses of £1.2million while 386 staff at RBS pocketed £820,000;
Lloyds and RBS chiefs Antonio Horta-Osorio and Stephen Hester are in line for awards worth up to £8.2million and £7.9million respectively, despite presiding over combined losses of £5.5 billion last year;
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The £27 million is for one year also note tax is for little people not him he gets the poor bank customer and savers to pay his tax bill.
Now we see the thieving is not called bonus anymore now its 'awards' RBS owned by the taxpayer well the taxpayer will have to wait because these crooks are also dipping into the funds for £8.2 million. How long more are we going to put up with this.Get email@example.com


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It has been a long time since any one has thought of me as a team player (oh the joys of being self employed!)
Thank you montanadesigns for nominating me Wonderful Team Member Readership Award.
So the rules are to nominate 14… yes 14 blogs with 7 days.
Here are my 14 team readers .
It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us. -Epicurus, philosopher (c. 341-270 BCE)


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LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K. utility Centrica PLC CNA, +1.03% said it has agreed to sell its licensed gas transporter business, British Gas Connections Ltd., for 90 million pounds to Kellen Venture Ltd. The business also has a future order book of 35,000 connections, it said. Shares gained added 0.3% in morning trade.
Centrica sells gas transporter business for GBP90M
Quote References
+0.82 +1.03%


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Wingate win Ryman Cup thriller
Wingate & Finchley booked their place in the next round of the Ryman League Cup, after winning a seven-goal thriller, writes Andy Gerlis.
Ryman League Cup Second Round:
Waltham Abbey 3 Wingate & Finchley 4
Tuesday, 6 October, 2015
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It's a rare occurrence in football for a team to face two games in as many days but, thanks to a sensational start to a season that sees them still fighting on all four fronts, Wingate found their fixture schedule this tightly packed. Both games are in cups, Wednesday's away at Broadfields Utd FC in the Middlesex Cup while on Tuesday evening, they faced a short trip up to Capershotts, home of Ryman Division One North outfit Waltham Abbey FC in the Ryman League Cup. With such a test of squad depth, first team squad call ups were awarded to youth players Cameron Lyttle and Bradley Marriott with Alfie Bartram being awarded a starting place.
Looking to open his account for the season, Wingate's Lee Barney brought down a long Marc Weatherstone ball 20 yards out and drove a shot just over the bar three minutes in. The game ebbed and flowed, Ryan Flack found himself through on goal 12 minutes later but goalkeeper Bobby Smith's sliding block prevented the striker from giving Waltham Abbey the lead.
When Karl Oliyide was brought down on the flank of the Abbotts' area after a powerful run 26 minutes in, Weatherstone rose highest to meet Tommy Tejan-Sie's chipped free kick and nod the ball past Jayden Purdue for the defender's third goal of the season. The captain nearly added to his tally seconds later when he met another Tejan-Sie set piece, but could only look on as his header looped on to the roof of from the corner he met 15 yards out.
Unperturbed, Waltham Abbey continued to push for and equaliser and nearly claimed it a couple of minutes later when Piers Wixon again found space behind the Wingate defence but, as before, Smith was off his line quickly to thwart the striker with his feet. Chances continued to come however and, following some ping-pong football in midfield, the ball eventually broke for defender Macauley Joynes who drove to Wingate's by-line before pulling the ball back across goal for Wixon to tap in under the keeper. Having failed to take control of a game as well as they usually do, Wingate went in to the break on level terms.
The Blues had most of the early chances in the second half, Ahmet Rifat and Rob Laney both putting headers narrowly past the woodwork six and eight minutes in respectively but a 57th minute unmarked Kelly Garrett volley that flew narrowly wide of the back post reminded them that they would need to start taking these chances if they were to get a result from the game. And take their chances they did.
Karl Oliyide did tremendously well to control a strong pass from Rifat on his chest before playing in Barney behind the Waltham defence, the striker finishing low across the keeper to give Wingate the lead with his first goal for the club in the 61st minute. The summer signing from Marlow, who spent much of this season sidelined through injured, doubled his tally a minute later when fellow new-boy Dan Brown battled well to keep hold of the ball on the edge of the box before Barney poked the midfielder's low cross home at the near post.
Brown was involved again four minutes later, his quick passing with Tejan-Sie in midfield eventually allowing the latter to play Oliyide one-on-one with the keeper, but by almost over-thinking it the attacker contrived to put his shot over the bar. Not a problem for a player that has been in sensational for this season and he made amends just two minutes after a Tejan-Sie cross flicked off Laney's head and landed at the Oliyide's feet 12 yards out, the attacker taking no time in smashing a low shot into the corner of the net for his sixth goal of the season.
The game flipped on its head with the introduction of Christian Assombalonga, brother of Nottingham Forest's striker and record signing Britt, with 17 minutes left. Immediately chasing down a backpass after coming on, the attacker caused Smith to rush his clearance in to his captain's back, the ball falling kindly to Wixon who didn't need to be asked twice before he rolled a shot into an empty net. The robust Assombalonga then powered his way past Wingate's defence before smashing a shot past Smith in to the bottom corner just a minute later. Quite the impact sub and, when an awkward bounce forced Weatherstone to miscue his header, only the slippery surface stopped him from getting enough power behind his shot to beat Smith, the keeper instead using a strong hand at full stretch to ensure Wingate kept their lead for the last 14 minutes.
The Blues did well to keep their composure amid a flurry of five goals in 15 minutes and players praised their manager post-match for his changes that kept them one step ahead throughout the game. A strong performance from Bartram showed that the squad depth reaches all the levels of the club and stands them in good stead for what is surely to be the club's busiest 48 hours of the season.
WingateTV Interviews with Leon Solomon and Tommy Tejan-Sie:
Waltham Abbey FC:
Jayden Purdue, Theo Jones, Macauley Joynes, Jack Daveney (C), Emmanuel Olukayode, Elliot Johnson, Michael Pindy (Assombalonga, 72'), Tom Wood, Piers Wixon, Ryan Flack, Kelly Garrett (Robbins 72')
Subs not used: Sam Robbins, Anthony Page, Christian Assombalonga, Michael Hassini
Wingate and Finchley FC:
Bobby Smith (GK), Mark Goodman, Leon Solomon, Ola Sogbanmu (Sharpe 72'), Marc Weatherstone (C), Ahmet Rifat, Alfie Bartram (Brown 57'), Tommy Tejan-Sie, Lee Barney (Andreos 80'), Karl Oliyide, Rob Laney
Subs not used: Ben Andreos, Daniel Brown, Joe Sharpe, Cameron Lyttle, Bradley Marriott
R Kendall
Tommy Tejan-Sie
By Brigit Grant
By Jewish News
By Judy Elkus
By Judy Elkus


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Robots, AI, and cognitive analysis: How technology is disrupting hospitals around the globe Bookmark has been added
Robots, AI, and cognitive analysis: How technology is disrupting hospitals around the globe
Health Care Current | October 10, 2017
This weekly series explores breaking news and developments in the US health care industry, examines key issues facing life sciences and health care companies and provides updates and insights on policy, regulatory, and legislative changes.
Explore content
Our Take
Robots, AI, and cognitive analysis: How technology is disrupting hospitals around the globe
By Terri Cooper, Global Health Care Sector Leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and Stephanie Allen, Global Public Health Care Leader and Australian Health Leader, Deloitte Australia
When we look back at hospitals 20, or even 10 years from now, we might wonder how we accomplished so much without robots, artificial intelligence (AI), avatars, or cognitive analysis. We will likely marvel at how hospital clinicians were able to make complex decisions about our care while also completing an unending list of administrative tasks. We might ask, how did our bodies heal in those drab patient rooms, under bright and buzzing incandescent lights, surrounded by machines and intercoms that beeped, bonged, and blared around the clock?
Whether in an industrialized or developing country, and regardless of the health care system's structure, hospital leaders, their employees, and their patients struggle with many of the same issues. Cost containment might be at the top of the list among hospitals globally. In the US, for example, health care makes up about 18 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).1 Although government-run health care systems in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom spend far less – about 10 percent of GDP – health care won't be affordable if costs continue to rise along the same trajectory. Many emerging cognitive technologies promise to bend this cost curve and transform the journey of care significantly.
A lack of connectivity is another issue commonly shared by public and private health care systems worldwide. While the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in the US has grown since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a lack of integration can make it difficult for hospitals and other providers to easily share patient information, such as test results and diagnoses. While Australia, Canada, and the UK are considered to have more integrated health care systems by some, they haven't yet implemented universal EHRs, and their hospitals continue to rely on the transmission of paper based-records where electronic records don't exist.
Requiring patients to repeat tests and complete identical paperwork not only can create a negative hospital experience for them, it often piles unnecessary work onto nurses, clinicians, and other hospital employees. But we can be optimistic that such scenarios can be reduced or even eliminated as hospitals take advantage of emerging technologies and seek new and better ways to engage with consumers. In a new report, the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions explores the digital hospital of the future.
A growing number of inpatient health care services are already being pushed to the home or to outpatient ambulatory facilities, which helps reduce patient volume. But patients with complex conditions or advanced illnesses will likely continue to need acute inpatient services.
Technology and AI will help enhance decision making
Clinical workforce shortages are a significant issue among hospitals in the US and across Europe. Nurses and other clinicians tend to spend too much time completing administrative tasks and chasing down test results. Nurses devote as much as a quarter of their time on non-patient care.2 We know that when people are overloaded, mistakes can happen.
Cognitive technologies have the potential to not only relieve some of the administrative burden, but also to support and augment the clinical workforce. Some hospitals are already using robots to transport linens, meals, specimens, and to collect diagnostic results – tasks typically performed by clinical staff. Case in point: The South Glasgow University Hospital in Scotland has 26 robots that move medical equipment, linens, food, and waste. These robots have their own underground tunnel (through which they transport supplies) and a dedicated elevator.
In the US, drug dispensary automation has helped improve patient safety by eliminating some decision making, but it isn't used as much in other parts of the world.3 Hospitals in some countries still keep medications in drawers, which can lead to mis-doses or overdoses because fluids and injectable drugs tend to look similar.
While robotic process automation (RPA) is offloading some duties from the shoulders of caregivers, combining it with AI can take this a giant step further by helping doctors and nurses make appropriate care decisions much more quickly. Let's use cancer as an example. There are numerous types of cancer, endless variables, and a wide range of treatment options. An oncologist often has to rely on personal experience, the experience of colleagues, and maybe the hospital's database when deciding the best course of treatment. This can be a time-consuming process…and time is everything for a cancer patient. AI can sift through mountains of data, including studies related to a patient's tumor, and offer the oncologist well-researched treatment options. Automating this process can give the doctor and patient more time to discuss the diagnosis (based on AI research and the doctor's own experience) and treatment plan.
Expect a patient-friendly atmosphere and more cognitive workers
Physically, hospitals of the future will likely look different than they do today. They will likely include attractive visitor lounges, dayrooms, and views of natural or green surroundings, such as healing gardens that help reduce patient anxiety and expedite healing. Adjustable ambient lighting will likely be designed to improve the patient experience, particularly in terms of both mood and the experience of pain. These facilities may also be quieter to reduce stress and to help ensure patients get needed rest. Noiseless alarms on medical devices, soundscapes, noiseless paging, and health acoustic engineering will help minimize ambient noise levels.
Patient rooms may look different, too. The walls might be prepopulated with pictures of the patient's family members, or photos from a recent trip. Along with such "picture walls," a patient could create a customized music playlist, make video calls with friends and family, or access the Internet. The bathrooms could have integrated sensors to monitor any unusual activities, such as falls, which would trigger a call for immediate help.
The hospital workforce of the future will likely also be different, and could include the following:
- Cognitive workers: Some hospitals have started to supplement their back-office staff with "cognitive workers" that can complete routine tasks. These virtual employees are easy to train and can regularly be updated with new skills by outside vendors. Moreover, cognitive workers don't take vacations, don't have emotions, and don't get distracted. Human workers of the future will likely need different skills and will take on roles that do not yet exist. The hospital workforce of the future could be made up of augmented teams of humans and cognitive workers.
- Avatar counselors: In Australia, avatars are being used in some hospitals to provide health counseling to patients. One virtual caregiver was used in a closed trial of diabetes management. Avatars also can help patients deal with depression and anxiety issues. These cognitive counselors can understand natural language patterns, including sarcasm, and can interpret facial expressions, such as sadness, agitation, and even dishonesty. Clinical trials indicate these avatars provide a consistent and quality interaction, and deliver better diagnosis and outcomes, particularly in relation to mental health and sexual health counseling where the threat of human judgment can sometimes be impeded by the full disclosure needed.
- Discharge planning robots: Practitioners from the health care and social services industry groups from several Deloitte member firms are building an RPA and AI discharge planning "bot" that initiates and coordinates concurrent activities including the discharge summary, prescriptions, transportation, referrals to home support services, and the scheduling of follow-up visits for specialists or occupational therapy. Existing discharge management can be susceptible to problems. An incomplete process, for example, could extend a patient's length of stay by one or two days.
- Health care companions: Pillo, an AI health care companion that can assist patients in the home, uses the latest in voice and facial recognition technologies to hear, see, and understand natural language. This enables it to adapt the functionalities to serve consumer-specific needs. It can answer health and wellness questions, connect directly with health care professionals, and securely manage vitamins and medication – storing, dispensing, and even ordering refills when people need them.
Rapidly-evolving technologies and growing consumerism, along with demographic and economic changes, are already having a dramatic impact on hospitals. Several megatrends could have significant implications on how hospitals of the future are staffed, sized, and designed. Around the world, hospital executives will likely want the vision for their hospitals to address these megatrends and plan for investments in people, processes, and premises. Ten or 20 years from now, we will likely wonder how we ever got along without cognitive analysis, AI, and other emerging technologies.
PS, If you are heading to the Financial Times Digital Health Summit USA this week, be sure to check Deloitte on the Investment Panel: Tapping new opportunities panel and the Digital health dialogue: Collaborative innovation and successful routes to market panel. Visit our D.com landing page for more details – hope to see you at our panels!
1 CMS Fact Sheet, June 14, 2017. https://www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-and-systems/statistics-trends-and-reports/nationalhealthexpenddata/nhe-fact-sheet.html
2 http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nurse-leaders/nurses-say-distractions-cut-bedside-time-25
3 https://www.hfmmagazine.com/articles/2345-five-pharmacy-automation-trends
In the news
CMS delays star ratings update, reconsiders methodology
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will delay updating its hospital quality star ratings for the second time this year as it continues to reevaluate its rating methodology. CMS usually updates its hospital star ratings biannually.
The ratings system has received criticism from the American Hospital Association (AHA). For instance, the AHA says that the current system is not fair to teaching hospitals and hospitals that serve higher numbers of poor patients. CMS has invited input from the public on this issue over the last several months. The agency has not said when it will release the new hospital star ratings or methodology yet.
Related: Earlier this year, the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions released a report that analyzes CMS's hospital star rating system. We found that hospitals can achieve a five-star rating in multiple ways, though five-star hospitals typically score well in heavily-weighted categories, which include mortality, patient experience, safety, and readmission. However, hospitals with smaller caseloads may not have data for certain individual measures, driving the disparate ratings. Additionally, many 5-star hospitals report fewer measures than 1-star hospitals, even when we controlled for hospital characteristics, which could be a consideration for CMS as it looks to help lower-performing hospitals and considers revisions to the Star Ratings Program's risk adjustment methodology.
Senate and House committees advance CHIP funding
The Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved bills last week to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through fiscal year 2022.
CHIP provides health insurance to roughly 9 million children nationwide, as well as pregnant women in some states. CHIP's federal funding expired on September 30, and while nearly all states have some rollover funds, most will run out in a matter of months (see the October 3, 2017 Health Care Current).
In the Senate, all Committee members voted in favor of the bill except Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), who expressed concerns over funding, saying that 42 percent of money mandated by CHIP legislation since 2009 has been spent on unrelated programs. Although Toomey and several other senators brought up potential amendments, Committee members agreed not to officially propose their amendments in an effort to move the CHIP bill forward.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill to extend CHIP funding for five years by a vote of 28-23 along party lines. The Committee also approved the Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act, which extends funding for community health centers and related programs. The Committee considered other bills on telemedicine for stroke care, access to diabetes supplies, and continuing the Independence at Home Demonstration project, which provides primary care to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes. The Committee passed all nine bills that it considered. It was scheduled to hear a bipartisan bill that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), but the Committee did not review it during the markup.
The CHIP bill also includes $1 billion in Medicaid funding for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. The Committee approved disaster relief funding for the US Virgin Islands separately. This was a point of contention during the markup, with some Committee members asking how the government would also pay for the CHIP extension.
Both CHIP funding bills now head to the floor of their respective chambers for a vote. The Senate bill does not contain any policies that would cut spending to offset the cost of extending CHIP. The House bill would pay for the reauthorization by taking funding from Medicare and an ACA program. Democrats voted against the bill because they disagreed with the policies offered to offset spending for CHIP. Senate Republicans and Democrats are working on funding sources for their CHIP bill. They hope to reach an agreement prior to the vote in the chamber.
Tax reform proposal would impact life sciences and health care sectors
The administration released a nine-page framework to update and simplify the US tax code on September 27. Under the proposal, put forward by House and Senate leaders, the chairmen of the Senate Finance and the House Ways and Means committees, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, the corporate tax rate would be reduced from 35 to 20 percent and many special tax deductions would be eliminated, though the research credit would be retained. Additionally, the proposal would tax earnings accumulated offshore. These earnings are taxed at a relatively low rate currently, but in the future, US companies could bring back cash from their foreign subsidiaries tax-free. The proposal recommends allowing businesses to expense capital equipment purchases for the next five years.
If enacted as proposed, life sciences and health care companies could see lower effective tax rates for onshore business activity as well as lower US tax on foreign operations.
MedPAC debates future of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) discussed possible alternatives to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) – one of two Medicare payment tracks for physicians and other clinicians under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 – as part of a public meeting last week. The Commission considered a draft recommendation to repeal MIPS and replace it with an alternative policy. MedPAC recommendations are not automatically adopted by Congress.
Under MIPS, clinicians receive a payment adjustment based on performance data they submit to CMS. MIPS payment adjustments are set to begin in 2019 based on 2017 performance data. While well-intentioned, MIPS has a number of challenges, according to MedPAC staff. Specifically, they said:
- The program gives clinicians a great deal of flexibility, but it is quite complex as a result, and
- MIPS cannot be relied upon to provide a valid assessment of whether clinicians have provided quality care because the measures used in MIPS have not been associated with improved care, and the scores themselves are unreliable. (Physicians can choose their own measures, and the program is mathematically structured in a way that maximizes scores.)
CMS estimated the reporting burden in 2017 to be more than $1 billion, though more physicians will likely receive exemptions from MIPS than participate in it.
The staff presented a proposed replacement policy, which would repeal MIPS and establish a new voluntary value program. Under the proposal:
- All clinicians would have a set percentage of their fee schedule payments withheld
- CMS would evaluate physicians as part of a larger group based on the quality of clinical services the group as a whole provides, their patients' experiences, and the value of their services overall
- CMS would award the same payments to all physicians in a given group
Commissioners were in near-consensus that MIPS should be repealed and that the replacement system should hold physicians accountable for the care they provide using population-based metrics. However, some commissioners raised issues with the proposed policy. For instance, evaluating physicians in groups might not be fair to those who work in rural areas or with high-risk patients.
The commission discussed a few alternative ideas, but will continue to discuss this issue and develop a more definitive recommendation for Congress at their December meeting.
Medicare Advantage premiums to decrease by 6 percent in 2018
The CMS says the average Medicare Advantage (MA) premium will drop to $30 per month in 2018 – a $1.91 decrease from 2017. CMS also estimates 20.4 million people will be enrolled in MA plans next year, a 9 percent increase from 2017 and an all-time high.
Ninety-nine percent of Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one MA plan, and over 85 percent can choose from more than 10. Further, the number of MA plans is increasing – more than 400 additional options will be available next year.
Access to Medicare Part D plans, which cover prescription drugs, is also strong. 100 percent of Medicare beneficiaries have at least one Part D plan option available. The cost of Part D plans is projected to drop from an average of $34.70 in 2017 to $33.50 in 2018.
The enrollment period for all Medicare plans begins October 15.
Court declines to block Maryland law on drug prices
A Maryland federal district court declined a request from the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), a generic drug industry group, to block a new Maryland law that targets large price increases for drugs. However, the judge let part of the lawsuit go forward: the claim that the law's language is too vague.
The Maryland law limits drug price increases and prohibits so-called price gouging for generic and off-patent drugs. The Maryland Medical Assistance Program must notify the Maryland Attorney General and the drug manufacturer when a drug's price increases above a certain level. Under the law, the Maryland Attorney General could require manufacturers to roll back prices, and fine them $10,000 for each instance of price gouging (see the May 9, 2017 Health Care Current).
The AAM argues that law's language is too vague, and plans to appeal.
FDA is working with HHS to support Puerto Rico's drug manufacturing
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Homeland Security, and local agencies to assist Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Specifically, the FDA is trying to prevent drug shortages. The agency has identified more than 20 firms that possess medically important products, and it is working to prevent disruptions in access to more than 40 high-priority drugs, including cancer treatments and immunosuppressants. The agency is coordinating efforts to transport certain critical drugs off of the island.
FDA employees will soon deploy to Puerto Rico as part of the US Public Health Service.
Massachusetts applies to waive Medicaid drug formulary requirements
Massachusetts has applied to waive the federal requirement that state Medicaid programs cover all prescription drug treatments for their beneficiaries. Specifically, the state wants permission to create a closed formulary to generate leverage with drug companies, and only cover certain drugs when they can negotiate favorable terms. The state expects this will limit prescription drug spending in its Medicaid program.
In the waiver amendment application, the state also seeks to move able-bodied adults with incomes above 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) out of its Medicaid program, MassHealth, and into the state's public insurance exchange. Medicaid funds would be used to subsidize premiums for exchange plans. Massachusetts expanded its Medicaid program to include individuals up to 138 percent of the FPL, as called for by the ACA. This change would revert back to the original Massachusetts Health Reform (known as RomneyCare), which has similar provisions before the state moved to align to the ACA. Medicaid spending now accounts for 40 percent of the state's budget, and it is seeking ways to limit its growth. CMS is seeking comments on Massachusetts' request through October 20. Similar requests were denied under the Obama administration. It is unclear when the new administration will issue a final decision.
GAO says fraud prevention programs save money
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that CMS's fraud prevention programs contributed to at least $20.4 million being saved in fiscal year 2016 by catching incorrect claims before they were paid. Investigations initiated or supported by CMS's internal analytics system, the Fraud Prevention Service (FPS), led to corrective actions and generated savings, according to the report. FPS also saved $178.8 million by identifying overpayments after the fact, according to the report. The agency also worked with the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership (HFPP), a public-private organization that it helped establish in 2012 to address health care fraud.
The GAO noted that FPS allows contractors to identify potentially fraudulent activity more quickly. HFPP studies helped contractors find individuals that might be engaging in fraud, as well as potential vulnerabilities in the program.
For this study, the GAO interviewed Medicare Administrative Contractors and CMS officials, and reviewed claims data and HFPP documents.
(Source: Government Accountability Office, "Report to Congressional requesters: Medicare: CMS fraud prevention system uses claims analysis to address fraud," August 2017.)
Breaking Boundaries
Hospitals striving to be hubs of innovation
Hospitals and health systems face increasing headwinds as they look to move forward in an uncertain environment. Findings from Deloitte's recent hospital CEO survey show that many CEOs are ready to tackle challenges facing the health care system with an urgency that has grown since our 2015 survey. As discussed in this week's My Take, Robots, AI, and cognitive analysis: How technology is disrupting hospitals around the globe, many stakeholders expect the hospital of the future to look very different than today's hospitals, thanks to emerging technology and consumer demand.
One way hospitals are addressing the shifting landscape is through hospital innovation centers. The aim of many of these centers is to develop and test novel ways of delivering care. Some are funded by foundations and grants, while others operate as departments or divisions within their health care system. A snapshot of these innovation hubs around the country highlights a few recent examples:
- At Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice works with hospital clinicians from various specialties, as well as community organizations and agencies including Medicaid and HHS. It also participates in multisite collaboratives. To date, major efforts have included developing pediatric accountable care organizations, and pioneering the use of wireless tablets to screen children in the waiting rooms of doctors' offices. The hospital provides smartphones to families and children to track medication adherence.
- Johns Hopkins Sibley Innovation Hub, located in Washington DC's Sibley Memorial Hospital, serves as a launching point for projects including the development of new cord wraps for IV poles, and kits for breast cancer patients that help them manage this condition. Other projects include integrating a bedside technology that helps respond to patients; a Tranquility Room to provide a quiet space for staff; and About Me Boards, in every patient room to share nonmedical info about each patient.
- Opening just over a week ago, the University of Miami's School of Nursing and Health Studies' Simulation Hospital aims to replicate a hospital as well as a fully functioning health care system. The facility is among the largest simulation hospitals of its kind in the world. Just weeks after Hurricane Irma descended on the area – leaving a wake of damage, injuries, and even death – the Simulation Hospital offered an environment to practice and prepare for just such a disaster. Among the many benefits the hospital will offer is a venue for community partners, corporate partners, and different university departments to convene and develop rapid and effective responses to emerging infectious diseases, natural disasters, and terrorism. The Simulation Hospital will serve as a hub for students, health care professionals, first responders, and corporate partners to design, test, and master skills and technologies to transform health care education, research, and practice.
As the cost of care continues to rise, many hospitals are looking for long-term solutions to minimize inpatient services. Deloitte's new research on the global hospital of the future demonstrates how technology and health care delivery will merge to influence the future of hospital design and the patient experience across the globe. Through a crowdsourcing exercise of experts from across the globe, Deloitte developed five use cases for the digital hospital of the future in the following categories:
- Redefined care delivery
Emerging features including centralized digital centers to enable decision making (think: air traffic control for hospitals), continuous clinical monitoring, targeted treatments (such as 3D printing for surgeries), and the use of smaller, portable devices will help characterize acute-care hospitals.
- Digital patient experience
Digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can help enable on-demand interaction and seamless processes to improve patient experience.
- Enhanced talent development
Robotic process automation (RPA) and AI can allow caregivers to spend more time providing care and less time documenting it.
- Operational efficiencies through technology
Digital supply chains, automation, robotics, and next-generation interoperability can drive operations management and back-office efficiencies.
- Healing and well-being designs
The well-being of patients and staff members – with an emphasis on the importance of environment and experience in healing – will likely be important in future hospital designs.
Many of these use-case concepts are already in play. Technology will likely underlie most aspects of future hospital care. But for hospital executives charting their organization's innovation strategy, care delivery – especially for complex patients and procedures – may still require hands-on human expertise.
Health Care Current library
Weekly insights in the US health care industry
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A View from the Center


text: Pinche Queca comes from Mexican slang and it could be translated into Fu**ing Quesadilla. Our aim on this project was to create a visual identity where we could praise the traditional and extensive Mexican street food culture. We created a comprehensive set of applications paying homage to the Mexican hand written food boards that can be found on streets food vendors and small traditional markets achieving a distinctive sense of very honest rawness that makes every single visual element stand out.


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International University Entry Testing Preparation
We prepare people seeking to pass the following international university entry examinations:
- TOEFL (USA): The TOEFL® test is very important part of your journey to studying in an English-speaking country or program.
- IELTS (UK) (International English Language Testing Scheme)
- SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
- GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Minimum Examination PrerequisitesSAT®, TOEFL®, IELTS®: The ability to speak and comprehend English Language.
GRE®, GMAT®: Completion of first degree
*We are pleased to announce that Advanced Professional College (APC), located 7 Prof Gyasi Agyei Road off Nana Kese Avenue around Ayeduase/KNUST gate Kumasi Ghana, is an approved ETS Certified Test Administration Site (CTAS). For more information regarding ETS or the TOEFL® iBT test, please contact us via (0233 24 581 0959 or 0233 50 442 8722) or click here to email us.


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Topic Page: cicada
Grasshopper-like insect found in most parts of the world. Males make a loud sound by the vibration of a pair of plates in their abdomen. Females lay eggs in tree branches. The dog-day cicada appears annually in summer. The larvae of the 17-year locust spends up to 17 years in the ground feeding on roots and lives only a week as a winged adult. Length: up to 5cm (2in).
(sĭkā'dӘ), large, noise-producing insect of the order Homoptera, with a stout body, a wide, blunt head, protruding eyes, and two pairs of membranous wings. The front wings, which are longer than the rear pair, extend beyond the insect's abdomen. Male cicadas have platelike membranes on the thorax, which they vibrate like drum heads, producing a loud, shrill sound. Females of most species are mute. Characteristic songs are produced by members of different species; each also produces a noise indicating irritation, and some have special courtship songs.
There are about 2,000 cicada species distributed throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world; they are most numerous in Asia and Australia. There are about 180 species in North America; adults of these species range from approximately 1 to 2 in. (2.5–5 cm) in length. The periodical cicadas (Magicicada species), found in the eastern half of the continent, have the longest known life cycles of any insect. Because of their periodic appearance they are often called locusts, although they are not related to true locusts.
Their life cycle takes 17 years in northern species (the so-called 17-year locusts) and 13 years in southern species; the two types overlap in parts of the United States. The female deposits her eggs in slits that she cuts in young twigs. In about six weeks the wingless, scaly larvae, or nymphs, drop from the tree and burrow into the ground, where they remain for 13 or 17 years, feeding on juices sucked from roots. The nymphs molt periodically as they grow; finally the full-grown nymphs emerge at night, climb tree trunks and fences, and shed their last larval skin. The winged adults, which generally emerge together in large numbers, live for about one week. Different broods mature at regular intervals, so that at least one colony is conspicuous in some part of the United States each year, and even in a given locality a brood may appear every few years.
Other North American cicadas (Tibicen species and others) are known as dog-day cicadas, or harvest flies, because the adults appear in late summer. Their life cycle is thought to be similar to that of the periodical cicadas, but in most species it is completed in two years.
Cicada larvae do little damage, but when adults appear in large numbers their egg-laying may damage young trees. Cicadas are sometimes kept for their song in Asia, as they were in ancient Greece. They are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Homoptera, family Cicadidae.
Related Articles
Full text Article cicada
Newly emerged adult cicada (Tibicen pruinosa). Credit:Richard Parker Any insect in the order Homoptera that has two pairs of membranous wings, p
Full text Article cicada
Any of several insects of the family Cicadidae. Most species are tropical, but a few occur in Europe and North America. The adults live on trees, who


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14k Two-Tone Gold Blue Sapphire Tennis Bracelet
Love tennis but not the diamonds? This sapphire bracelet is the perfect compromise! We set 14 beautiful AAA quality deep blue sapphires into the XOXO patterned yellow gold bracelet, with the stones set in white gold. Clasp is a classic tennis bracelet style with a figure 8 safety catch.
Bracelet is 7' inches long. Sapphires are 2mm AAA~1.15cts total. Weight of bracelet is 17.5 grams.


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By clicking resolution image in Download by size of this Aarp Taxaide Coming To Greenwood Library The Bridge with aarp tax locations Template templates & wallpaper in your computer, you are agree to use it for non-commercial only. Please rate and give a comment about this page.
Download by size:Handphone Tablet Desktop (Original Size)
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One of the cool things I enjoy about food blogging is finding new and exciting products in the market that make preparing dinner for the family quick, easy and fun. So when I discovered Dorot pre-portioned garlic, onions, and herbs at our neighborhood Trader's Joe, I couldn't wait to embody my inner Bobby Flay!
At the beginning of January, G and I sat down together to take a good look at our finances. As we both wanted to live more frugally in 2016 and I was by then seriously considering to quit my job and blog full-time, we knew we had to streamline our household outlays to make our goals happen. After meticulously combing through our numbers, we were both shocked to realize what eats up most of our budget is food!
Part of our high food costs, of course, is the recipe development that goes with the territory of food blogging for a living. But, sadly, a huge chunk of that high food costs is also from food going to waste. I get overly excited about the recipes I work on and tend to buy more than what we need in a given week.
You know how it is, you open the fridge and there you find milk and cheeses past their best buy dates or produce and herbs withering their way to the trash. As much as cilantro, basil, parsley or dill deliciously steps up flavors, they're just too fragile to stay fresh until the whole bunch is used up! I am sure you've also had your fair share of forgotten garlic bulbs already sprouting green shoots in the deep recess of your produce bin. Frustrating, amiright?
I feel you, my friends, yet fret no more. Dorot got you covered! Conveniently stored in the freezer, you can easily elevate your plate with the flavors of fresh garlic, onions, and herbs year round. And with a two-year shelf life, throwing a bunch of herbs in the trash is now a thing of the past!
Dorot products not only eliminate wastes, they also make meal prep quick and easy. They're prepared and pre-portioned so there's no need to chop or measure. Seasoning and adding flavor to your cooking can't get any easier, it's just a matter of popping a cube!
Garlic is widely used in Filipino cuisine and is a star ingredient in a lot of our classic dishes such as adobo and this chicken asado. Dorot's Crushed Garlic has become a must in my kitchen and I can't wait to try these other varieties as well.
- Chopped Parsley
- Chopped Basil
- Glazed Onions
- Chopped Dill
- Chopped Cilantro
- Chopped Chili
- Crushed Ginger
Ready to experience the benefits of Dorot for yourself? Print out their $1 off coupon and head on to the frozen vegetable aisle of your nearest Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market. Great flavor awaits. 🙂
- 3 pounds chicken, cut into serving parts
- ¼ cup calamansi juice
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
- 3 cubes Dorot crushed garlic (thawed) or 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼ inch thickness
- ¼ cup oil
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- salt to taste
- In a bowl, combine chicken, calamansi juice, soy sauce, onions, garlic, and pepper. Massage marinade onto meat and marinate for about 20 to 30 minutes. Drain chicken, squeezing meat and aromatics to extract liquid. Reserve marinade.
- In a skillet or wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add potatoes and cook until lightly browned and cooked through. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
- Remove excess oil from pan except for 2 tablespoons. Add chicken, onions and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is lightly browned and onions and garlic are softened.
- Add reserved marinade and bring to a boil for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and cook for about 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and sauce is reduced. Season with salt to taste. Transfer onto serving platter and garnish with potatoes. Serve hot.
Don't forget to print your coupon!


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I've been familiar with trolling ever since I can remember using the Internet. I'd visit forum-based websites and was met with the term quite often. I understood trolling to be some sort of trouble-making behavior that took place on social networking platforms. I had assumed it was all in good fun. I don't come into contact with too many trolls these days, and this may be because of my lack of participation on the sites where they may be.
I was really interested when I saw there was a module on this concept. While I have witnessed some light-hearted trolling before, I hadn't really looked into the term or the circumstances associated with the behavior. Trolling is actually a very common occurrence on the Internet, and the means of participating vary depending on the people and platforms involved. By choosing this module, I really just hope the learn about why trolling exists, who trolls and gets trolled, and I hope to understand others' interpretation of the behavior. I think that this module will add a new perspective to my understanding of digital culture.


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Chat With... Martin Koolhoven.
By Adam Ray Palmer
Today Cineroom brings you a special chat with Dutch filmmaker Martin Koolhoven. Martin's career spans 20+ years as a director, actor and writer with lots of acclaim along the way. We caught up with Martin as his latest film, Brimstone, is doing the festival rounds.
We saw the powerful Brimstone at Venezia73 but it'll also be showing next month at the 60th London Film Festival. Catch up with our review of Brimstone here.
Front Row News: Episode Twenty.
Episode twenty of our news feature has arrived. Take a seat on the front row of the Cineroom theatre to receive the latest news that is happening in the world of film.
In this episode we have the latest on Spike Lee's new project; we have the first Nocturnal Animals trailer after its Venezia73 debut, we have all the gossip on Harley Quinn's standalone film and also two brand new big trailers that were released this week.
Closing the week will be an incredible video from Mad Max: Fury Road testing footage…


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2011 Fisker Karma
Fisker Karma
Engine:GM-sourced gas engine with a lithium-ion battery pack
Horsepower @ RPM:400+ electric, then 260hp from the gas engine
Displacement:2.0L L
0-60 time:6 sec.
Top Speed:125 mph
car segment:
car fuel:
body style:
With gas prices heading well above $3.00 per gallon in most states, economical cars and trucks have made a resurgence in the American automotive consumer's mind. One can hardly drive down a road without seeing one of the first and most popular hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius. Most major manufacturers have since produced these types of vehicles and there are more new models in the works, even from upstart luxury manufacturers.
One of the premier automotive designers in the industry felt hybrid cars were lacking in both excitement and luxury, and decided to take it upon himself to create a new segment. Henrik Fisker previously designed such memorable cars as the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin DB9. His company originally made several re-bodied versions of the Mercedes SL and the BMW 6-series, but in very limited production and a high price tag. Fisker Automotive became a true manufacturer in 2007 with the simple idea of creating an inspired, beautiful, and exciting luxury hybrid vehicles. Shortly after, the Fisker Karma was introduced at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. It's easy to see why it turned more than a few heads with its voluptuous flowing lines and promised 50-mile full electric range.
As if drop-dead good looks were not enough to distinguish this car from other eco-friendly vehicles, the performance numbers help the Karma truly pull away from the crowd. Its 0-60 mph performance is said to be in the neighborhood of 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. The Karma may not be able to keep up with your neighbor's Porsche Panamera, but while you're getting 67 miles per gallon, he will be sitting at a gas station.
UPDATE 03/23/2011: Three years after the Karman first debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the first unit has finally rolled out of the Valmet Automotive's plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland. US and European customers will receive their first units by next month.
UPDATE 07/13/11: Finally, the Fisker Karma is set to be delivered to its first customers. It took a long time, but the wait is now over. The luxury plug-in hybrid sedan is scheduled to be delivered later this month with the first person expected to get his hands on it being no other than Hollywood A-lister and eco-guy Leonardo di Caprio. According to Fisker, there are already 3,000 pre-orders for the car with the wait list expected to hit until early 2012.
Hit the jump for more details on the 2011 Fisker Karma.


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atresia is a topic covered in the Taber's Medical Dictionary.
To view the entire topic, please sign in or purchase a subscription.
Nursing Central is the award-winning, complete mobile solution for nurses and students. Look up information on diseases, tests, and procedures; then consult the database with 5,000+ drugs or refer to 65,000+ dictionary terms. Explore these free sample topics:
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[¹an- + Gr. trēsis, a perforation + -ia]
Congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening or tubular structure.
atresicatretic (ă-trē′zik) (ă-trē′sik) (ă-tret′ik), adj.
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Venes, Donald, editor. "Atresia." Taber's Medical Dictionary, 23rd ed., F.A. Davis Company, 2017. Nursing Central, nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/746964/all/urethral_atresia.
Atresia. In: Venes D, ed. Taber's Medical Dictionary. 23rd ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2017. https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/746964/all/urethral_atresia. Accessed December 12, 2019.
Atresia. (2017). In Venes, D. (Ed.), Taber's Medical Dictionary. Available from https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/746964/all/urethral_atresia
Atresia [Internet]. In: Venes D, editors. Taber's Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company; 2017. [cited 2019 December 12]. Available from: https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/746964/all/urethral_atresia.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC T1 - atresia ID - 746964 ED - Venes,Donald, BT - Taber's Medical Dictionary UR - https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/746964/all/urethral_atresia PB - F.A. Davis Company ET - 23 DB - Nursing Central DP - Unbound Medicine ER -


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Whether it's the local range or the adverse climates of a hostile environment, the BACKLASH will keep you company and keep you tactical. This 3 day pack will keep you pushing through the tough terrains that race before you. The main pocket keeps a large bundle of clothes, medical kits, helmet or other larger items ready for action. It also allows your hydration bladder to feed through the top to keep you hydrated and moving. The middle pocket allows your writing utensils, flashlights, knives or small necessities to stay organized and accessible. The small front stuff pocket allows quick access to your keys or other items. The large side pockets allow you to pack large water bottles, magazines, ammo, flashlights or other survival gear you may need to carry along. The MOLLE webbing all around the bag gives you plenty of surfaces to work with and build out your pack even further. Blaze the trail before you and "GET TACTICAL" with the BACKLASH.
- Constructed of heavy weight durable polyester
- Large main compartment with laptop / water bladder pocket
- Extensive MOLLE webbing platform
- Top center hydration tube access point
- 2 spacious side pockets
- Back padding with mesh shoulder straps
- All around compression straps to secure contents
- Adjustable sternum slider for comfort and support
- Adjustable waist strap for added support with quick release clips
- Hook & loop patch holders
- Bottom bed roll webbing
Dimensions: 19″ (H) x 17″ (W) x 12″ (D)
63.5 Liters
3,876 Cubic Inches


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The Importance of Your Dental Office Waiting Room
As the years go by and your dental office ages, you may find it necessary to redecorate or ramp up your dental practice's waiting room. As a dentist, you may not think that the waiting room is of much importance, but it really is. Your waiting room serves as a first impression on your patients of what they can expect from your dental practice.
Most patients are busy and many of them are likely apprehensive about their visit to the dentist. Because of this, it's important that your waiting room be as welcoming, relaxing, and comfortable as possible.
Dental Office Waiting Room Tips
Below are a few simple tips on how to revamp your waiting room and help make patients feel more at home:
- Furniture – Industrial furniture may be popular, but it's been shown that patients still prefer homey, comfortable furniture in a waiting room. Choose simple, comfortable pieces in a variety of styles (couches, loveseasts, chairs) to accommodate all patient preferences.
- Reading Material – If your practice offers reading materials, make they're regularly updated. Outdated or tattered newspapers or magazines can be off-putting for your patients.
- Music – Studies have been conducted that show that patients feel more relaxed when music is playing in the waiting area. When considering the type of music to play in your office, be aware of your patient base. We recommend adult contemporary stations that are kept at moderate or minimal volume.
- Extra Amenities – You may want to consider adding a few extra amenities to your office to show your patients that their comfort is important to you. A few amenities to consider would include a coat rack, hand sanitizer, tissues, and even free WiFi or a water cooler.
As a busy dentist, we know that your job can be stressful and overwhelming at times. Allow us to help lighten your load by taking care of your insurance credentialing needs! This way, you can spend more time managing your staff, caring for your patients, and running your successful dental practice.
For more information, please contact Dental Insurance Credentialing today!


text: My wife has a Droid2 and when she uses the speaker phone function, things sound fine on her end, but for the caller on the other end, there is an unbearably loud noise of them speaking. For instance, when I call her and she has me on speaker, I can hear myself speaking super loud coming out of her phone. I can't even concentrate to get my sentence out. Has anyone else had this problem or heard of it? She is using a hard snap on case from Verizon as well, not sure if it could be the sound bouncing of that or something?


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VAWT-X Energy's turbine design has achieved best-in-class performance. It also provides best-in-class yield, distributes loads evenly and minimises fluctuation over the course of a full 360-degree rotation.
80kW Units
80kW Power Curve
80kW Annual Power Output
6kW Units
6kW Power Curve
6kW Annual Energy Output
Our testing has demonstrated that our air-foil design transforms 45% of the wind energy into kinetic energy and is capable of achieving a capacity factor of more than 36%.
This is more than any other vertical axis wind turbine design and on par with the best horizontal axis wind turbines!