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Make Yourself at Home at Royal Scot
With our convenient location in the heart of downtown Victoria, the largest city on Vancouver Island, BC, you can take a leisurely stroll along Victoria's famous Inner Harbour, shop for treasures on Antiques Row or make business connections in Victoria's nearby downtown core.
Just step outside the hotel doors and into the celebrated sites of downtown Victoria. Take a horse and carriage tour of Victoria with family and friends, create memories at Beacon Hill Park, the Royal BC Museum is just around the block. Take in views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. There's so much to see and do right at our doorstep!
Enjoy yourself in the Royal Scot Hotel & Suite's beautiful indoor pool, whirl pool, sauna and exercise room. Have some fun in our billiards room or gather with friends for a hand of bridge or a movie in the games room. We offer free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.
After a full day, rest easy in the cozy comfort of the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites and feel at home in downtown Victoria.
Why settle for a standard Victoria hotel room when you can enjoy a spacious suite for a comparable price?Click here to see our size comparisons


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While exploring in Epcot's Mouse Gear, I happened upon these cute/creepy keychain/erasers from a series of merchandise called Mini Magical Kingdom. Several of the items appear to be anthropomorphized versions of classic Disney food items. I love the smiling monorail on the packaging – so very friendly.
The Mickey waffle seems like a happy fellow, but that Mickey Bar creature, he looks so upset. Perhaps he's afraid of being eaten soon?
These critters appear to be food items, but what are they exactly? Possibly a Krispie treat and a burger? Any other guesses?
Has anyone else seen these?
Erin Foster is DFB's Disney Food for Families columnist and a Disney World Moms Panelist.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rough Guide For Dads, Swansea
26th April 2006, The Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA
An Evening with Richard Hardy, from Care for the Family:
"I find one of the hardest things to do as a father is to 'get over' getting it wrong. If you're a dad, I think you'll know what I mean. Life is sometimes a bit of a juggling act, with work, social commitments, family life, and everything else. That's why I'm presenting A Rough Guide for Dads, organised by Care for the Family, in your area soon.
During this dads-only evening, we're going to have some fun, watch some film clips and chat about the ups-and-downs of fatherhood. I'm not promising to have all the answers – I'm not even sure there always are right answers – but together we can ask the important question: how do I give this my best shot?
One thing I'd suggest is to 'be silly once a day'. If it's not in your job description to have fun with your children, then it's time to rewrite it! Laugh at their jokes, even if you've heard them before. Be a kid again, sometimes. Dirt washes off, clothes dry out, hair dye fades, but memories stay for a long, long time.
You'll find out more at A Rough Guide for Dads in Newport on Tuesday 25 April and Swansea on Wednesday 26 April. Tickets cost just £6.
Visit www.justfordads.org.uk to find out more or call on (029) 2081 0800.
There's a special booking offer too if you can get some of your mates together for a 'night out with the dads'."
To download the brochure, right click the link below and select "Save Target As…"Tags: Parenting education


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Here's what we are doing... Deep-clean of the retail and warehouse spaces. Reviewed safe practices with all employees. We're open as long as the North Market stays open. Reduced the threshold for free shipping to $25.00 Orders can be placed for pickup on the website to be picked up at the North Market. Pay online, pop in the North Market, we'll have it all packed and ready to go. Don't forget to...
Peppercorns, White Whole
White peppercorns, the bolder pepper option to standard black. Experience the intensity of this amazing spice. Great in French and Asian cuisine, also perfect for white chili.
Our Recipes with Whole White Peppercorns
Heat Level
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St Patrick's Day Corned Beef / Pastrami
With St Patrick's Day less than a month away it's time to get started with the North Market Spices Corned Beef / Pastrami Kit. A lot of time and testing went into the creation of our blend to perfect the level of flavor and balance the salt. Many a brisket was sacrificed in our quest. We've come up with a recipe and technique that works time and time again. We source our beef briskets from...
Super Bowl Wings
The "Big Game" is this weekend, but you didn't need us to remind you. The plethora of TV ad's trying to sell you a new TV tells us that it's a big Sportball weekend. Instead of greasy, messy chicken wings, serve some good ones to your guests. Baking them in the oven lakes a little longer than frying, yet it will result in crispy skin, moist meat and a cleaner kitchen. Of course, you're going to...


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Commercial Planters
|Buyer's Guide for Commercial Planters
Monarck Series PlanterItem # 300-1817$722.00
Commercial planters can enhance site appearance and also control traffic
Commercial planters from The Park Catalog are available in a full range of outdoor and indoor commercial-grade products that can add plants and flowers to any landscape and easily give new life to any location. There are a variety of shapes, sizes and textures to choose from and a wide variety of colors from coral to plum or muted neutrals to accent any area. Select a classic stone look or a contemporary metal design. Worried about theft or high winds - then check out our concrete planters for sale. If weight is a concern, choose a commercial planter made of wood, fiberglass or even lightweight stone. Our attractive recycled plastic planters not only improve your environment, they are great for the environment in general and LEED credits. You can also order commercial planters with holes, or without. With some of our products, you can simply add them with a drill.
Studies show that green spaces help to elevate a person's mood and lessen stress. By adding commercial planters to your building inside and outdoors, you create an inviting entryway and place for people to gather. The planters can also serve functionally as barriers for both pedestrian and traffic control. Another consideration for commercial outdoor planters is that these products are made to withstand the elements - sun, rain, freezing. Heavy concrete planters are a smart choice because they are difficult to tip over and prevent theft. These large concrete planters are perfect for high-traffic shopping centers or office complexes.
Using commercial planters is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a strong first impression for people visiting your facility.
The Park Catalog commercial planters are decorative but also durable, resistant to corrosion and will not fade. Review our vast array of both mid-size and large commercial planters. Our helpful and expert representatives will be glad to assist you with your selection.


text: |Welcome to our free porn site! Free-Free Porn features all kind of free porn pictures: teen porn, cartoon porn, asian porn, lesbian porn, black porn, amateur porn, hardcore porn, gay porn, mature porn and more! Choose your category and enjoy and don't forget to check our porn movies section also. Happy surfing and don't forget to come tomorrow for more!


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Ann Arbor MI 's Leading Water Extraction ServicesFor years, Broadco Property Restoration has successfully established itself as the preferred restoration company in the Ann Arbor MI. When disaster strikes, our restoration technicians at the site within 1 hour of your phone call. Our IICRC can handle small or large water extraction services. We offer a full array of services to properly mitigate structural damage for various property types due to water and flood disasters. With more than 25 years of experience in our community, the Broadco staff has the proper training, equipment, and leadership skills you need to fully restore your property.
Consider Broadco For Water Extraction Services in Ann Arbor MI
- Free consultations on all residential and commercial properties
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- Our rapid response guarantees our staff will be one site within 1 hour
Within an hour of your emergency call, we will quickly be at your residential or commercial property to do a detailed scope of the damage and loss. This also includes digital photographs to ensure that there is an accurate and comprehensive estimate of the property loss and scope of work needed for a complete and perfect restoration.
Our Commercial Property Services Include:
- Fire damage
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Ann Arbor MI Most Trusted Water & Flood Damage Cleanup, Repair, & Restoration ServicesHas Michigan's occasional severe weather caused visible water damage to your home or business? Are you looking for a credible water and flood cleanup and repair service? You've come to the right place! At Broadco, our highly trained team will be able to respond quickly to review and clean up any damage, from sewer backups and water damage (or any other other storm damages to residential and commercial properties).
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Is your home or business flooded? Contact Our Experts Immediately!Water damage can truly be devastating to your home or business and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. We at Broadco have proudly established ourselves as the leading restoration company you can depend on. Our staff will be able to provide you with the peace of mind and expert solutions throughout the entire process.
Our Water Extraction services will include:
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If you are suffering damage or loss from water or sewage and looking for Water Extraction services, call Broadco Property Restoration! Our Rapid Response team will be there within the hour, we guarantee it! You need a qualified contractor to guide you through the steps required for a successful recovery and to assess the situation, protect your property from further damage, complete the water removal and drying process, and repair and restore your property.
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Four armed robberies in Berkeley this summer used a Craigslist fraud to lure victims.
In all the reported crimes, victims saw an ad on Craigslist and arranged to meet the purported seller at his alleged home address. Upon arriving, the victims were held up at gunpoint. Similar crimes have been reported in Oakland this summer, but the Berkeley Police Department said they have so far been unable to establish any links between the Berkeley and Oakland crimes.
Three of the four Berkeley crimes took place in the Elmwood/Claremont neighborhoods: on July 3 at 9:20 p.m. in the 2800 block of Piedmont Avenue; on July 9 at 10:45 p.m. in the block of 80 Hillcrest Road; and on July 31 at 9:13 p.m. on Hillcrest Road/Hillcrest Court. The other reported Berkeley crime was June 28 at 9:22 p.m. on the 3000 block of Wheeler Street in South Berkeley.
"All the victims were responding to ads," said Jennifer Coats, public information officer for the Berkeley Police. "People should remember to be cautious when meeting strangers, and to try to choose public places for meetings."
A crime prevention alert from the BPD provides further advice:
- Use extra caution when conducting business with unknown individuals or in unfamiliar locations.
- Please keep all electronics and other valuables out of view and secured.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash on your person.
- Be alert to your surroundings and people around you.
- Be aware of locations and situations, which make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys, doorways, parking lots, stairwells and unfamiliar areas.
- Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity.
- If you are the victim of a robbery, immediately call the police. Be sure to provide the suspect description, direction of flight, any associated vehicles and vehicle license plate number.
Craigslist offers similar tips on its own site about personal safety.
To get breaking Berkeley news from Berkeleyside follow us on Twitter and on Facebook, or download our free iPhone app.


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Wildwood Programs offers a variety of opportunities for individuals looking for rewarding careers where it is possible to make a difference in the lives of others. It is our goal to improve the lives of all members of the Wildwood Family. Our employees make this possible through their dedication and enthusiasm, while always using our values of respect, integrity, holism, and creativity. Wildwood Programs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Interested in becoming a part of our team? Apply today!
What we are all about
See where you fit in
Benefits & Perks
Health Care and Well-Being
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Dependent Care Accounts
- Health Premium Reimbursement (spousal)
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Basic Life / Voluntary Life ad&d
- Short Term Disability (Wildwood Benefit)
- Long Term Disability (Wildwood Benefit)
Wellness Program
We offer discounts on employee health insurance payroll deductions or employees can qualify for full spousal reimbursement with a successful completion of the program.
Education and TrainingWildwood is committed to help employees who want to further their education, and skills and abilities by offering tuition assistance and scholarships, and free trainings and seminars on and off premises. All or a portion of the off-premise training will be paid by Wildwood depending on the nature of the course.
- Tuition Assistance (College/University )
- Hearst Scholarship (Certification, Seminars, Training)
- Bart Conover Scholar Program ( Direct Support Positions)
Work Life
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Gift Fund
- Paid Leaves of Absence
- Holiday/Vacations
- Bereavement Leave
- Jury Duty
- Sick/Personal/Maternity Leave
- Adoptive and Non Birth Parent Leave
- Unpaid Leaves of Absence
- Educational Leaves of Absence
- Unpaid Personal Leaves of Absence
- Staff Days
Savings and Discounts
- Flu Shots
- Notary Public
- Auto and Home Insurance Discount
- Apple Product Discounts
- Free Parking
Retirement ProgramsRetiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plans
403b Fidelity Investments
- Employer Contributions
- Employee Contributions
Questions and Answers
- Where are your jobs advertised?
We post positions on our website. Occasionally, we use CapitalAreaHelpWanted.com, Times Union, various local newspapers, New York's One Stop and local colleges.
- What is the hiring process?
We require applicants to have valid work authorization documentation to apply and employs those who are legally authorized to work. After your application is received, we review it for appropriateness of the position. If you are considered for the position, you will be contacted for an interview by the hiring manager or designee. The process may take several weeks.
- I am not sure which position to apply for. What should I do?
Review all the open positions and choose a position that you meet the qualifications and apply.
- What are you looking for in applicants?
We are looking for people who love to work with others to help them gain independence and personal growth. Please indicate any experience working with people with developmental disabilities. Experience with people with developmental disabilities helps, but Wildwood trains employees who meet the qualifications.
- How can I check on the status of my application?
Due to high volume, we ask that you do not call us. If you would like confirmation that we received your application/resume, you get an automatic e-mail confirmation of receipt after you apply online.
- Do you have internship opportunities?
Yes, we welcome interns affiliated with an educational institution and are seeking credit. Please apply to the "volunteer" position on the career page. State the area of interest or program that you are interested in and apply in the same manner as regular job applicants.
- What is working for Wildwood like?
Since Wildwood was started by a group of parents, the culture of Wildwood is casual, supportive and family-friendly. We believe in working hard and having fun. We have an employee appreciation and recognition program that celebrates our Agency values of Holism, Honesty, Creativity, Responsibility, Achievement and Respect. Our surveys consistently show 97% of employees love working here!
- How do I find out about salary information?
Salary information is provided at the interview.
- What is the age limit to work, intern, or volunteer for Wildwood?
You must be at least 18 years old.
- Do you conduct background checks?
Yes, depending on the position you are applying for we conduct criminal background checks consistent with all applicable laws. If you are applying for an internship or would like to volunteer you may have to go through background checks.
Diversity Statement
I want to affirm our policy at Wildwood to offer fair and equal employment opportunity for everyone regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.This policy applies to hiring, recruitment, placement, promotion, reclassification, transfer, training, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. The Human Resources Office has the responsibility for implementing and monitoring equal opportunity programs and diversity efforts. All of us however, are responsible to see that equal employment opportunity and diversity are a reality at Wildwood.Diversity is a principal value at Wildwood. We will encourage and sustain an environment of inclusion that embraces awareness and respect for differences among people and empowers each person to share unique strengths, talents and values.
Mary Ann Allen Chief Executive Officer Wildwood Programs Inc.


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Marble Bowl with Handle, Medium
A recent discover from India, these Vintage marble serving bowls add rustic texture and and deep sense of history to any table.
Please Note: Due to the vintage nature of this product, each item will vary in appearance.
Please note: We are only able to sell this item over the phone or in our stores. If you wish to purchase, please click the button above to call or visit us in store where we would be very happy to help.
Wipe clean.
Approx H: 5cm
Approx Dia to handle: 49cm
Approx Dia: 40cm


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Written by Duana
I'm the type who finds a song lyric for every occasion. I would quite happily sing through my life, and though I haven't done it in years, I'm pretty sure I was that girl, circa high school or early university, who made people sit down and listen to a song because maybe the way the (lame) lyrics were played out just made so much sense to me.
This also matters because I remember when singing wasn't cool. When it was the lamest thing in the world to express yourself through song, or at least the musicals wherein people burst into song for no particular reason.
Tonight…may have been where we came full circle.
Look, I haven't been following Grey's Anatomy for a long time, and yet I knew exactly what was going on. And Grey's Anatomy has always done that – made sure that the jumpers-in could catch up with no problem. But tonight's musical event didn't seem like it needed to be about Callie because it was the right place for Callie's story to go, but because Sara Ramirez is the best singer on the show. The people who sang most of the songs – Chyler Leigh, Kevin McKidd, Chandra Wilson – are the ones who are the best singers, not those who are most involved in the story.
And the storyline – the most emotionally manipulative story we could think of, where the surgeons have to choose between saving a beloved doctor and her unborn baby – is just so incredibly maudlin. Like do you think there might be some emotions associated with that?
The most real part – the idea that a woman's female lover and male baby-father argue over whether to save the baby or the woman – is just so weakened by the fact that these songs, most of which have been used to great effect as the soundtrack to this show, get embarrassing when they're made literal. "How to Save a Life" was milked to a degree that was honestly, kind of embarrassing as they're literally…Saving Lives…
We do, I believe, get it.
And yet, even after this over-the-top emotional rending of garment, this kind of felt trite. Anyone who didn't think Callie was going to wake up – and accept the marriage proposal, no less! – by the end of the hour has not watched TV before ever.
I think Shonda Rhimes and her team are talented. I've always said this. I do. They deal in immense volume and know how to push all the right buttons. But this seemed like a scenario in which they let a general appetite for "let's do what's hot right now" supersede the balance that Grey's Anatomy has always maintained between the dramatic and the ridiculous, a line they have walked to much better effect.
(Lainey: and the baby looked fake!)
Grey's Anatomy Musical Event
Written by Duana


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This year's Quinlan lecture will be delivered by Katharine Towers, whose book The Floating Man conducts musical themes against details of the everyday in a rich and varied collection.
On Thursday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m., Glucksman Ireland House at New York University will present the Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry, in partnership with the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queens University, Belfast.
This year's Quinlan lecture will be delivered by Katharine Towers, whose book The Floating Man conducts musical themes against details of the everyday in a rich and varied collection. Ms. Towers was winner of the Seamus Heaney Prize, given annually by the Seamus Heaney Center for Poetry to the author of the best first-book of poems published in Ireland or Britain. The award recipient was determined by a committee of faculty from the Heaney Centre, including the director, Ciaran Carson, who will be present to open the Quinlan Lecture.
The annual Tom Quinlan Lecture in Poetry at Glucksman Ireland House honors Quinlan, a public school teacher in Philadelphia, a lover of poetry, and Glucksman Ireland House member since 1997; the lecture is endowed by his family. The lecture Thursday evening, October 18, will be held at Glucksman Ireland House, located at 1 Washington Mews, New York, N.Y. (between Washington Square North and 8th St.) For further information, please call (212) 998-3950 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. RSVP is suggested to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Introductory remarks will be offered by Professor John Waters, clinical professor of Irish Studies NYU, and director of Graduate Studies.
This event is free and open to the public.
About Tom Quinlan:
The Quinlan lectureship is named for Philadelphia educator Tom Quinlan, a life-long lover of poetry, who recently began his 64th year of teaching. Quinlan, 87, was educated in Philadelphia Catholic schools and is a 1949 graduate of La Salle University. He taught for 43 years in the Philadelphia public school system, mostly at Abraham Lincoln High School. For the past 20 years, he has taught poetry to senior citizens in an adult education program at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In his late seventies, he made two month-long trips to central China as a volunteer teacher. He has attended the Yeats Summer School in Sligo, Rep. of Ireland, a total of ten times, and had the pleasure of studying there with poets Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley, as well as Helen Vendler and many other Yeats scholars. Quinlan is a third generation Irish-American. His paternal grandfather, Bartholomew Quinlan, was born in Co. Cork in 1864; his paternal grandmother, Cecilia Cox, was born on a farm outside of Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland in 1862. In recent years, Quinlan was able to locate cousins and the farm, visiting both on several occasions with his son and grandson on his nearly annual visits to Sligo. Quinlan and his wife of 64 years, Virginia Clark Quinlan, have three children, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. They reside in Levittown, Pennsylvania. The lectureship was endowed as a gift from his family.
About Glucksman Ireland House:
Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Glucksman Ireland House is New York University's Center for Irish and Irish-American Studies and one of the top-ranked academic Irish Studies programs in the United States. Through innovative undergraduate and graduate academic curricula and extensive public programming, it provides access to the best in Irish and Irish-American culture. With faculty in Irish and Irish-American literature, history, music, language, and cultural studies, Glucksman Ireland House NYU provides its students and the community with an integrated approach to understanding the arts and humanities that represent Ireland and Irish-America's past, present, and future.


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|Asbestos Mesothelioma Illness
Mesothelioma Lung Cancer, Asbestosis, Jobs with Asbestos
|Bankruptcy & Foreclosure
Chapter 7,11,13 Debt Relief, Short
Sale, Foreclosure, Credit Repair
|Business & IP Law
Contracts, Corporations, Mergers, Trademarks, Intellectual Property Law
|Car & Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car Crash,Truck Accident, Collision, Auto Injury Insurance Claim Problems
|Child Custody & Support
Parent Custody Rights,Child Custody, Child Support Payments,Visitation
|Construction Accidents
Scaffolding Accidents, Welding Injury, Ladder Falls, Electrocution, OSHA
|Criminal Defense
Drug Crimes, Murder, Robbery, Assault,Violation of Probation,GTA
|Disability & Social Security
Social Security Lawyer,Disability Attorney,SSI denied claims
|Divorce & Family Law
Counseling,Prenuptial,Uncontested Divorce,Property,Alimony,Separation
|DUI Drunk Driving Law
Drunk Driving Litigation, Driving While Intoxicated, OUI, DWI, Drugged Driving
|Employment Law
Wrongful Termination,Discrimination, Sexual Harassment,Benefits,Dispute
|Immigration Law
Visa,Green Card,Deportation,Path to Citizenship,H1 Visa,I-9,Student Visa
|Maritime Law
Injury at Sea, Cruise Ship Injuries, Jones Act, Offshore Oil Rig Accidents
|Medical Malpractice Law
Birth Defects Injury,Prescription Drug,Surgical, Hospital Errors,Dental
|Nursing Home Abuse
Senior Abuse,Nursing Care Neglect, Bedsores, Malnutrition, Death
|Personal Injury Law
Slip & Fall,Catastrophic Injury,Back,
Brain Injury,Burns,Wrongful Death
|Probate, Estate Planning & Wills
Estate Planning,Wills,Family Disputes,Property,Trusts,Probate Court
|Product & Pharmaceutical Liability Law
Defective Products,Cars,Toys,Failure
to Warn Drugs,Class Action,Tort
|Real Estate Law
Renter Rights,Condo Law,Landlord Tenant,Mortgage,Property,Commercial
| Tax Law
Company Taxes,IRS Penalty,Tax Filing,Corporate Tax Audit,Garnish
|Workers' Compensation
Work Injury, Disability Dispute, Occupational Disease,Denied Claim
Find Local Lawyers and Attorneys in Your State
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With?
Some injury lawyers help people with catastrophic injuries. Injury lawyers that are experienced in representing catastrophic injuries include things such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, eye injuries, neurological disorders, severe burns, accidental amputation, and multiple fractures. Victims of catastrophic injuries may suffer from a loss of movement or sensation. They may lose their ability to communicate or have impaired cognitive abilities. The catastrophic injury may adversely impact the victim's respiration or circulation. Other body systems such as the gastrointestinal system and the urinary system may also be negatively affected by these injuries.
Have you been injured due to someone else's negligence?, Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today ! Get professional help, consult with a local experienced Personal Injury Lawyer to discuss your case. The sooner, the better.
Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Managing catastrophic injuries can be complicated and require the assistance of a multitude of healthcare professionals. Victims may require the services of healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, counselors, and therapists. The long-term costs of injury services such as these can be astronomical, and most victims are not financially prepared to meet these expenses. A catastrophic injuries lawyer can help victims ensure they receive the monetary damages they deserve.
Accidents can be caused by anyone and any million ways, but the following car accident at fault reasons and groups cause most of the accidents on the roads. All injuries small or large should be taken up with a lawyer.... Read More >
Slip and Fall
You must read this if you have an injury from a slip and fall. First off, if you have fallen, slipped or tripped in any type of public or commercial place it is very important to file an injury or accident report. If you have not try to do so immediately while the injury event is fresh in your mind and others. Call the location where your injury happened and talk to a manager to file an injury report have the manager send you a copy of the report. If it was a shopping mall, major store or restaurant, make sure to go back and talk to the manager if you can or a staff on duty to get a detailed incident report recorded and a copy for future claim to show to your lawyer.
Slip and fall accidents due to falling boxes
Slip and fall injury on faulty stairs
Slip and fall accidents on greasy floors
Criminal Defense Lawyer Explained
To better understand the importance of criminal defense and its vital role in the criminal justice system, a criminal defense overview may be helpful. According to the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, "...it is unlawful for an individual to be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law...." The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution further emphasizes this point, and adds that states cannot "deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Classifications of Crimes
Violations of the law are classified into one of two categories: misdemeanor or felony. These crimes are further categorized into level or degrees based on the severity of the offense. The level or degree of the crime may vary by jurisdiction. Felony offenses will be classified as Class 1 through Class 6, and misdemeanor offenses will be classified as Class 1 through Class 4. Class 1 offenses are the most severe and carry the harshest penalties. For example, a Class 1 felony offense carries with it the punishment of life imprisonment, fines up to $100,000, or death... Read More >
Have you been charged with a Criminal Offense?, Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Today ! Get professional help, consult with a local experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer to discuss your case. The sooner, the better.


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The swimming area is located in the Ribadiso Recreational Area, which features different recreational spaces: a picnic area with barbecues, sports grounds, bar and children's playground. A large number of small bridges over the river create a beautiful setting.
There are two accesses leading to the river: one consists of a stairway and the other of a sloping semicircle of earth and grass, bordered by a small masonry wall.
The swimming area is one of the points of reference included in the "Val do Iso" Route promoted by the Municipality of Arzúa.
+info: turismo.concellodearzua.com


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- 0 Incorrect (11 allowed to pass)
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Free Massachusetts DMV Practice Test Four 2023 | MA
To get your learner's permit or driver's license in Massachusetts, you'll need to pass a written knowledge test based on the 2023 Massachusetts Driver's Manual. The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions written with information pulled directly from the handbook, and you'll have just 25 minutes to correctly answer at least 18 of the questions to pass. Questions for the exam will focus on driving laws, road signage, license restrictions, and driving under the influence. While you're at the RMV to get your permit, you'll need to provide proof of identity, residence, and signature, as well as pay a $30 permit fee, and take a standard vision test. You can optionally prepay another $30 fee for your driving exam. Minors are also required to provide a parent's signature on their permit application and will need to complete a driver's education course before they can apply for a license. You may retake your knowledge test as many times as necessary, but will have to pay the $30 testing fee each time. This RMV practice test will help your studying and allow you to save money by making it more likely you pass the exam on your first try.


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The teaching of Jesus in the 'Gospel of Thomas' expresses beautifully what we have been talking about. It encourages us to open ourselves to the Divine Reality, to Divine Wisdom. The way to true self-knowledge shown in this Gospel is by truly listening in silent interiority to the deeper spiritual significance of his teaching. Our effort is supported by his all-embracing grace.
The 'Gospel of Thomas' was a product of the still predominantly oral culture of the time of Jesus and the subsequent early centuries. His teaching was primarily passed on by word of mouth. Jesus himself did not write anything down. In the 'Gospel of Thomas' the most frequently recurring sayings of Jesus, which had formed part of this oral tradition, were collected together. There may already have been a Syriac version of them written down as early as 50 – 100 CE. Fifty per cent of the sayings in this Gospel are also found in the Synoptic Gospels.
One of the early Church Fathers, Irenaeus, (2nd century CE), recommended in the interest of Church unity only four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – and the letters of St Paul. He chose the Gospel of John rather than the Gospel of Thomas purely out of a personal choice: his teacher Polycarp had been a disciple of John. The Gospel of Thomas was actually at that time much more popular than the Gospel of John, which was considered 'too Gnostic'. Because of this exclusion the Gospel of Thomas disappeared from sight, until in 1945 an earthenware jar was found at Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt, which contained a mixture of documents; some were in the Gnostic tradition but there was also a copy of the 'Gospel of Thomas' considered now by most experts to be very much in the 'apostolic' tradition. The teaching in this Gospel shows us that the emphasis on transformation and realising your true Divine essence was part of the Christian Tradition right from the beginning. In Jesus' view in the 'Gospel of Thomas' God's light shines potentially in all of us. We are all children of God.
These sayings cannot be taken literally; Jesus' words are pointers to the underlying meaning. They need to be reflected on, preferably after meditation, when we will understand them intuitively. My remarks are therefore personal reflections only. One of the saying relevant to what we have been exploring is: 'Jesus said to them, "When you make the two into one, and when you make the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner, and the upper like the lower, and when you make male and female into a single one, ….. then you will enter the kingdom." (Saying 22) As we have seen, the aspect of our being that allows us to survive, our 'ego', is only one aspect of the whole; there is also our essence, our 'true self'. Our spiritual journey is about integrating both sides of our being: 'making the two into one'. 'Make the inner like the outer' challenges us to let the divine spark at our core permeate the whole of our being, so that our behaviour is guided by this higher wisdom. 'Make the upper like the lower' encourages us to open ourselves to the Divine Light, 'the upper', and thus becoming 'enlightened', our whole being is thus divinized. And 'make male and female into a single one' entails integrating all aspects of our being, including the "male" and "female" aspects of our being, a process Jung emphasized. Then we will "enter the kingdom", and experience the wisdom and presence of the Divine."
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay


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When the 5D Mark II busted onto the scene in 2008, the footage from the camera amazed the masses. However, working with the footage in post-production wasn't the friendliest of tasks. If you wanted to properly edit the footage in Final Cut Pro, you first had to transcode the files using MPEG Streamclip or some other method in order to get a file format that was workable in FCP. Canon later sped up the process by making the Plugin-E1 available for importing 5D, 1D, and 7D footage into FCP – it worked quite well; however, it's still a time-consuming process.
Then, Adobe introduced Premiere Pro CS5, which allowed us to simply drop files in the timeline and start editing – a big boon for HDSLR editors. It's a 64-bit program that makes very efficient use of system resources. My 2.5-year-old Windows machine is able to playback color corrected video with effects and no need to render first.
Many NLE users see Apple's Final Cut Pro as lagging behind. Fear not though. The next Final Cut Pro version is coming and, according to Larry Jordan (producer, director, editor and Apple-Certified trainer), it's a "jaw-dropper."
Jordan says he was invited to Apple, along with the "Who's Who of leaders in the post-production community," to check out the new version of Final Cut Pro.
Elsewhere, TechCrunch has word of the same preview event and has heard quotes from those who have seen the software program running, calling it "the biggest overhaul to Final Cut Pro since the original version was created over 10 years ago."
As someone relatively new to the video scene, I'm very anxious to see what Apple has in store for us with this Final Cut Pro update. I mainly work with HDSLR video, simply because that's what I started with and that's what I still use on a regular basis. I've used Media Composer 5, Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express over the past year; however, when I chose to buy a NLE as my go-to editing program last year, I went with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 because of how well it works with HDSLR footage.
While I like FCP's interface, it's just too slow no matter what machine I'm using it on (MacBook Pro, iMac or Mac Pro). I'm hoping to see the FCP update step up and match or exceed Adobe's capabilities with Premiere Pro CS5.
I recognize that there are many other improvements desired by those working on much larger projects than my short ones. However, I would venture to say that the 5D Mark II and its lineage of HDSLRs have been solely responsible for numerous purchases of Premiere Pro CS5. Here's to hoping Apple jumps on the bandwagon and makes the latest FCP just as attractive for those of us shooting with HDSLRs . . . 'cause I'm Jonesin for a good reason to pick up a new Core i7 MacBook Pro.
[via Larry Jordan & TechCrunch]


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The treatment of hepatitis C virus infections has taken a major step forward with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of two new drugs, telaprevir and boceprevir, for managing the disease. Blocking the same viral protein as the first anti-HIV drugs, they are also the latest chapter in an ongoing story of medical success.
Telaprevir and boceprevir are protease inhibitors, thwarting the activity of key viral enzymes. The first in this class of drugs was saquinavir, available since 1995 for the treatment of HIV. Several protease inhibitors have subsequently been developed for HIV, but the new hepatitis C drugs are the first to tackle other viruses.
The protease targeted by the anti-HIV and anti–hepatitis C drugs is involved in a process called cleavage. These viruses insert their RNA into the host cell. That genetic information is then used to create a single, long strand of proteins, called a polyprotein, that must be chopped up, or cleaved, into its distinct components for the virus to replicate. Protease enzymes perform that job. Protease inhibitors bind to the active part of a key protease, rendering it unable to cleave the polyprotein.
After the success of protease inhibitors in HIV, research groups around the world began investigating whether the same mechanism would work for hepatitis C. In 1997 Charles M. Rice, now head of the laboratory of virology and infectious disease at the Rockefeller University, showed that mutating the viral protease in hepatitis C–infected chimpanzees stopped the virus, the first clue about the enzyme's importance. Subsequently, molecular virologist Ralf Bartenschlager of the University of Heidelberg in Germany confirmed the vital role of the protease in hepatitis C replication. Many studies later protease inhibitors were ready for commercial hepatitis C drug developers. In trials, telaprevir and boceprevir elicited response rates that were 20 to 30 percent higher than those seen with the older regimen—pegylated interferon plus ribavirin—by itself, an encouraging result.
Second-generation inhibitors are already in development, and the enzyme will likely be a target for other infectious diseases. Protease inhibitors may also be tested against cancer, particularly considering their earlier efficacy in HIV-related Kaposi's sarcoma.
How Did Hepatitis C Emerge in Humans?
Although it has existed for centuries, hepatitis C was identified just over 20 years ago, and scientists have been puzzling about its origins ever since. In May, Columbia University Medical Center pathologist W. Ian Lipkin and his colleagues identified a hepatitis C–like virus in dogs for the first time, suggesting the disease may have jumped to humans through contact with man's best friend 500 to 1,000 years ago, long after dogs were first domesticated.


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September 29, 2013
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives early on Sunday brought the federal government closer to a shutdown as it voted to delay President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare law for a year as part of an emergency spending bill.
September 29, 2013
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives early on Sunday brought the federal government closer to a shutdown as it voted to delay President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare law for a year as part of an emergency spending bill.
In a rare weekend session at the Capitol, the House of Representatives works into the night in Washington, to pass a bill to fund the government.
By a mostly partisan vote of 231-192, the Republican-controlled House approved the "Obamacare" amendment, despite a veto threat from the White House.
It also voted 248-174 to repeal a medical device tax that aims to help fund healthcare programmes under the 2010 law.
And in a sign that lawmakers might be resigned to a government shutdown beginning on Tuesday, the House unanimously approved a bill to keep paying US soldiers in the event the government runs out of money to run many programmes.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid reiterated on Saturday that the House bill would be dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled Senate, which is not scheduled to meet until 2pm on Monday (1800 GMT).
Obama also threatened to veto any bill that delays his healthcare restructuring.
There is a slight chance the two sides could reach a funding deal before the government's fiscal year ends at midnight on Monday. Congress could also act at any time to end the impasse if a shutdown did occur.
But the bitterness of the House debate on Saturday night that spilled into early Sunday did not bode well for prospects of a compromise.
"You have been hijacked by a group called the Tea Party," Democratic representative David Scott of Georgia said angrily, referring to the powerful conservative, anti-government movement that holds significant sway over Republicans.
"The American people deserve to have time to see what this monstrosity will do before it is implemented," shouted Republican Representative John Culberson of Texas, referring to "Obamacare."
The high-stakes maneuvering between Democrats and Republicans is likely to continue through much of Monday.
The standoff is also a harbinger for the next big political battle in Washington: a far more consequential bill to raise the federal government's borrowing authority. Failure to raise the debt ceiling by mid-October could result in the government defaulting on its obligations.
Medical device tax
The funding impasse is the culmination of more than three years of failed conservative efforts to repeal "Obamacare," a programme aimed at extending health insurance to millions of those without coverage.
Republicans argue that "Obamacare, which is set to launch on October 1, is a massive and unnecessary government intrusion into medicine that will cause premiums to skyrocket and damage the economy.
Failure to pass a funding bill would close down much of the government for the first time since 1996. More than a million federal employees would be furloughed from their jobs, with the impact depending on the duration of a shutdown.
The current timetable could leave House Speaker John Boehner with the most difficult decision of his career: whether to approve a straight-forward spending bill passed on Friday by the Senate or allow the government shutdown to begin.
Neither side wants to be the last to cast the final vote that would lead to a shutdown, a concern that has turned the funding measure into a hot potato tossed between the two chambers.
While polls consistently show the American public is tired of political showdowns and opposed to a shutdown, House conservatives were jubilant about the fight.
"This is a win-win all the way around," said Republican Arizona representative Matt Salmon, who described the mood of Republicans before the vote as "ecstatic."
Republicans and a handful of Democrats also approved an amendment to the bill repealing a tax on medical devices that helps fund the healthcare law to the tune of about $30 billion. That provision, sought with heavy lobbying by the medical device industry, has been supported in the past by some Democratic senators.
In a government shutdown, spending for functions considered essential, related to national security or public safety, would continue along with benefit programmes such as Medicare health insurance and Social Security retirement benefits for seniors.
But civilian federal employees – from people who process forms and handle regulatory proceedings to workers at national parks and museums in Washington – would be temporarily out of work.
The last government shutdown ran from December 16, 1995 to January 6, 1996, and was the product of a budget battle between Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republicans, led by then-Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Republicans suffered a public backlash when voters re-elected Clinton in a landslide the following November, a lesson never forgotten by senior Republicans, including Boehner.
This time, Boehner tried to avoid a showdown but was overruled by his rebellious caucus, largely influenced since the 2010 election by newcomers endorsed by the Tea Party.
While Boehner and majority leader Eric Cantor, the top House Republicans, worked behind the scenes, they did not deliver floor speeches in support of the bill – something they often do on major legislation.
Instead, some of the House's most conservative members who drove the "Obamacare" delay effort, dominated the debate.
With Boehner effectively sidelined, rank-and-file Republicans boasted of their unity. Members chanted, "Vote, vote, vote, vote," in their closed-door meeting, they reported later.
Afterward, Democratic Representative Louise Slaughter of New York, took to the House floor to accuse Republicans of throwing a "temper tantrum" about "Obamacare" under pressure from "Tea Party extremists."
Conservative and liberal groups, from the Tea Party to women's rights organizations, have been cashing in on the showdown over "Obamacare," using it to rally supporters and raise money for next year's congressional elections.
Courtesy: Reuters


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Peace with God - In Touch - November 23
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November 23
Peace with God
One day I posed a question to the waitress at my table: "If you could ask God for anything, what would your request be?" Her answer was immediate. "I want to feel at peace." She tearfully explained that her grandmother had died and emotional turmoil resulted.
Many in our world are like this young woman, in that they desire inner calmness but have no relationship with the Lord. People often seek contentment by trying to improve their appearance, physical fitness, financial situation, or social status—or by abusing substances. But such things can't bring tranquility of heart or mind. Only a relationship with Jesus leads to true peace.
Prior to salvation, we were slaves to sin and living in opposition to God (Col. 1:21). Our transgressions had formed a barrier of hostility between Him and us, which we were helpless to cross on our own. Without God's intervention, we could not have found the way of peace. But our heavenly Father provided the perfect solution to our sin problem. He sent His Son to pay for our iniquities and remove the separation that existed between us and Him.
When we trusted Jesus as our Savior, we were reconciled to the Lord (Rom. 5:10) and no longer at odds with Him. In Christ, we have peace with the Father.
Our triune God has provided everything we need for inner tranquility. The Father opened the way for us to be in His family. Jesus continually offers His peace so we can experience serenity of mind and heart (John 14:27). And the Holy Spirit cultivates the fruit of peace in our lives (Gal. 5:22).
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.
And Listen to Dr. Charles Stanley at OnePlace.com!
Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2019 All Rights Reserved.


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Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking is an enhancement on regular walking but using poles.
- See Also:
- Walking
An Overview of Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience. With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic cross country skiing, Nordic Walking becomes a genuinely whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, from walking for health to athletic Nordic running.
Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to Nordic skiing. The result is a full body workout, which means that you: burn up to 46% more calories compared to walking without poles, release tension in the neck and shoulders, improve your posture and gait, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles and reduce the impact on the joints. Because Nordic Walking doesn't feel like hard work, you'll be happy to walk further and for longer.
It can be done by anybody, anywhere and does not require expensive equipment or clothing.
Adaptations and Equipment
Getting the correct poles is the most important thing to concentrate on when starting to Nordic Walk - it is also important not to confuse these with ordinary trekking or walking poles. Nordic Walking poles have 3 main components: the Pole Shaft, the Grip / Hand strap and the Basket / Paw.
Nordic Walking was originally a training regime for cross country skiers
Find Nordic Walking Clubs/Groups Near You
Use the search below to find local organisations near you.
National Governing Bodies
British Nordic Walking CIC
- Contact Name
- Dr Catherine Hughes
- Contact Email
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- Contact Telephone
- 01332 50 49 49
Nordic Walking UK
- Contact Name
- General Enquiries
- Contact Email
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- Contact Telephone
- 0845 260 9339


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Sit back and shoot the breeze with the boys in the back, this is for All Wrestlers, Rookies, and Alumni.
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Bobby Hull Autographed Chicago Blackhawks 11×14 Photo
Free Shipping within Canada
- Autographed by Chicago Blackhawks Legend Bobby Hull
- Inscription "The Golden Jet"
- One-on-One battle with Gump Worsley
- James Spence Authentication & COA
This Chicago Blackhawks Photo has been personally hand-signed by Bobby Hull with inscription "The Golden Jet". It comes with an individually numbered, tamper-evident hologram from James Spence Authentication and a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure that the product purchased is authentic and eliminates any possibility of duplication or fraud.
This item is also backed by House of Hockey's Authenticity Guarantee.
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Professor Tarek M. Sobh received the B.Sc. in Engineering degree with honors in Computer Science and Automatic Control from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt in 1988, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer and Information Science from the School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and 1991, respectively. He is currently the
Senior Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, Dean of the School of Engineering and Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut; the Founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Robotics, Intelligent Sensing, and Control (RISC) laboratory; and a Professor of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
He was Vice President from 2008-2014, Vice Provost from 2006-2008, Interim Dean of the School of Business, Director of External Engineering Programs, Interim Chairman of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, and Chairman of the Department of Technology Management at the University of Bridgeport . He was an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Computer Engineering at the University of Bridgeport from 1995 -- 1999, a Research Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Department of Computer Science , University of Utah from 1992 -- 1995, and a Research Fellow at the General Robotics and Active Sensory Perception (GRASP) Laboratory of the University of Pennsylvania from 1989 -- 1991. He was the Founding Chairman of the Discrete Event and Hybrid Systems Technical Committee of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society from 1992-1999, and the Founding Chairman of the Prototyping Technical Committee of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society from 1999-2001.
His background is in the fields of computer science and engineering, control theory, robotics, automation, manufacturing, AI, computer vision and signal processing.
Dr. Sobh's current research interests include reverse engineering and industrial inspection, CAD/CAM and active sensing under uncertainty, robots and electromechanical systems prototyping, sensor-based distributed control schemes, unifying tolerances across sensing, design, and manufacturing, hybrid and discrete event control, modeling, and applications, and mobile robotic manipulation. He has published over
200 refereed journal and conference papers, and book chapters in these and other areas, in addition to 18 books. Professor Sobh is also interested in developing theoretical and experimental tools to aid performing adaptive goal-directed robotic sensing for modeling, observing and controlling interactive agents in unstructured environments.
Dr. Sobh serves on the editorial boards of 15 journals, and has served as Chair, Technical Program Chair and on the program committees of over 150 international conferences and workshops in the Robotics, Automation, Sensing, Computing, Systems , Control, Online Engineering and Engineering Education areas.
Dr. Sobh has presented more than 100 keynote speeches, invited talks and lectures, colloquia and seminars at research meetings, University departments, research centers, and companies.
The current research and development activities at the RISC laboratory include work on tolerance representation and determination for inspection and manufacturing, hybrid controllers for robotics and automation, service robots, prototyping and synthesis of controllers, simulators, and monitors for manipulators, algorithms for uncertainty computation from sense data, and web-based prototyping, control synthesis, and simulation of robots.
Prof. Sobh has supervised 42 award-winning graduate and undergraduate students working on different projects within robotics, prototyping, computer vision, control, and manufacturing; in addition to more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students working on their B.S. projects, Master's thesis or Ph.D. dissertations. Dr. Sobh is active in consulting and providing service to many industrial organizations and companies. He has consulted for several companies in the U.S., Switzerland, India, Malaysia and Egypt, to support projects in robotics, automation, manufacturing, sensing, numerical analysis, and control. He has also worked at Philips Laboratories in New York, and a number of companies in Egypt.
Dr. Sobh has been awarded over 45 research grants to pursue his work in robotics, automation, manufacturing, and sensing. Dr. Sobh is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences and he is also a Member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. Dr. Sobh has received many awards and merits in recognition of his research and scholarly activities in engineering, education and computing and his services to the academic community. Dr. Sobh is a Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Utah, a Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, a Certified Professional Manager (C.M.) by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers at James Madison University, a Certified Reliability Engineer (C.R.E.) by the American Society for Quality, a member of Tau Beta Pi (The Engineering Honor Society), Sigma Xi (The Scientific Research Society), Phi Beta Delta (The International Honor Society), Upsilon Pi Epsilon (The National Honor Society for the Computing Sciences, Phi Kappa Phi (The Academic Honor Society) and an honorary member of Delta Mu Delta (The National Honor Society for Business Administration).
Dr. Sobh is a member, senior member, founding or board member of several professional organizations including; ACM, IEEE, the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), the American Society of Quality (ASQ), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE), the Discovery Museum, the Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP), the Northeast Center for Computers and Information Systems Security (NECCISS), the International E-Learning Association (IELA), and the Society for Industrial Computing. Dr. Sobh is a graduate of Victoria College, Alexandria, Egypt, in 1983 and a life member of the Old Victorians Association. He is also a life Member of the Egyptian Engineering Syndicate, a licensed engineer of the Egyptian Engineers Association and the Alexandria Engineering Organization.
Dr. Sobh contact coordinates are:


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Best Of
UFC 128 is in the books...Michael DiSanto breaks it down...
On July 11, 2009, Jon Jones scored his third win in the Octagon. There was nothing extremely special about the way he defeated Jake O'Brien. Jones didn't score a highlight-reel knockout. He didn't show amazing grit by coming back from the brink of defeat. His second-round guillotine choke, while extremely effective, wasn't a move that caused submission wizards to take notice.
Yet, there was something special about Jones on that night. There was something about the win that caused me to write the following statement in my event post-mortem:
Jones, who turns 22 this weekend, is only three fights into his UFC career. No matter, I'm going to go out on a limb with what many may think is a crazy prediction: at some point in his career, Jones will wear UFC gold.
Admittedly, I didn't think it would happen this fast, and I certainly did not think that he would completely outclass Mauricio "Shogun" Rua over the course of three one-sided rounds on Saturday night. But it was obvious to me that a guy with Jones' physical gifts and amazing thirst for improvement would someday be crowned king. It was his destiny, if he could avoid the trap so many other young phenoms succumb to – eating a healthy serving of his own hype cake.
Jones remained committed to improvement following the win over O'Brien. Five bouts later, the kid from Endicott, New York reached the pinnacle of the sport, becoming the youngest fighter in history to win UFC gold.
Honestly, winning the title for Jones was the easy part. The more difficult task will be holding on to it for more than a brief moment. Hangers-on everywhere will be looking to spoon feed him massive doses of his own hype cake, and it will be tough for Jones to resist taking a bite.
Why? Because rising to the top of the sport has come easily for the young superstar. In fact, no other reigning UFC champion has walked through his professional career with the same ease as Jones. Each suffered at least one beating before becoming champion.
Dominick Cruz and Jose Aldo both got choked out early in their careers. Frankie Edgar received a wrestling lesson in a one-sided unanimous decision loss. Georges St-Pierre tapped to an arm bar and later survived a bludgeoning in a disputed win. Anderson Silva suffered four losses before joining the UFC, including two by submission. And Cain Velasquez survived a gut-check fight after getting dropped multiple times in one of his early UFC wins.
The only adversity Jones has faced thus far in his career, other than getting a bit winded in his first couple of UFC bouts, is dealing with a "loss" to Matt Hamill. The word is in quotes because Jones was every bit as dominant against Hamill as he was on Saturday against Rua. A series of illegal elbows to Hamill's head in an overzealous search for the coup de grace led to a questionable disqualification in a fight that Jones had in the bag.
The only thing that result tested was Jones' class, and he displayed great humility in the face of a result that arguably was improperly decided by the referee. Hamill stated that he could not continue due to damage suffered to his shoulder, not due to the illegal elbows. No matter. Jones accepted the result with dignity.
Some might think that such a display is meaningless in a fighter's career. I disagree. Humility is a sign of coachability. If a fighter is not coachable, no matter what physical tools he possesses, then it is only a matter of time before he is conquered in competition. Jones is one of the more coachable fighters in the division, and that is the main reason why he is a champion at the fresh, young age of 23. Whether he can maintain that level of coachability will be largely responsible for how long he reigns as champion.
Since there is really no parallel in the UFC for Jones' unscathed, meteoric rise to greatness, the best comparison is probably in MMA's distant cousin—professional boxing.
Twenty-five years ago, a 20-year-old kid with limitless potential knocked out Trevor Berbick in less than six minutes to become the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history. Mike Tyson was thought by many to be the greatest fighter the world had ever seen. He was destined to break Joe Louis' streak of 25-consecutive title defenses. He would set records that would never be broken.
All that came crashing down 10 fights later, when Tyson was knocked out by 42-to-1 underdog James "Buster" Douglas. It was an unthinkable result to even the most educated experts. Tyson admitted afterward that the monk-like training habits that led to his early successes had long since gone by the wayside. He believed that he was the so-called baddest man on the planet, so why properly prepare for opponents who didn't have a chance at beating him?
Jones will face those same temptations as people shower him with praise based on his limitless potential, rather than his career accomplishments to date. Will he go the way of Tyson or remain sharply focused like current pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva as he embarks on a storied run as champion?
Nobody knows the answer to that question. Not even Jones himself. But the odds are definitely stacked against him.
Eleven men have held the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship since its inception 13 years ago. More than half of them lost in their first defense. Only three men successfully defended the title more than one time, with Tito Ortiz holding the record at five.
Think about that for a moment. Eleven men were crowned king. Only five successfully defended it at least once. Only three of those men successfully defended it more than once.
First up for Jones is friend and former training partner Rashad Evans. We will break down that fight in great detail as it approaches. The one notable point to make now is that I actually believe facing Evans is a gift in disguise for the newly crowned 205-pound ruler.
Don't get me wrong. This isn't an easy fight. Not by a mile. Evans, who is one of the six former champions to lose the title in his first defense, has the skills to beat Jones or anyone else on any given night.
The fortunate part for Jones, though, is the friction created by Evans wanting to fight a friend will undoubtedly serve as pre-fight motivation for the champion. It was obvious from the moment that UFC commentator Joe Rogan called Evans into the cage to discuss the matchup. Jones' affect immediately changed. He was in full fight mode, wearing the scowl that has become all too familiar during post-weigh-in staredowns.
If Jones isn't offended by Evans wanting to fight him, he should win an Academy Award, because the tension between the two was palpable, with most of the tension emanating from the champion. By contrast, it seems more like business as usual for Evans.
The interaction between the fighters suggests to me that there will be no lack of motivation for Jones during training camp, and that may be just what the doctor ordered to minimize the chance that he starts buying into his own hype right out of the gate.
Urijah Faber is no stranger to championships. He has reigned over divisions in three different mixed martial arts promotions, including a record-setting run as the WEC Featherweight Champion. But the reality is that, while those titles were great accomplishments, the real dream for the "California Kid" has always been winning a UFC title. It was a dream that seemed unattainable until Zuffa, the company that owns the UFC brand, acquired the WEC and made the lighter weight classes a reality for the world's premier mixed martial arts promotion.
Faber is now one fight from making that a dream reality. Fresh off the heels of a unanimous decision win over Eddie Wineland on Saturday night, Faber now turns his attention toward Dominick Cruz, the reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion. The pair will square off later this year in one of the biggest "little man" fights of the post-WEC era.
Faber already owns a win over Cruz, stopping him in 98 seconds with a guillotine choke back on March 24, 2007. That was a long, long time ago in a bout contested at 145 pounds. The two now compete in the UFC's newly minted 135-pound division. The historical win likely gives Faber the mental edge heading into the fight, though past results are not always indicative of future outcomes.
I think it is more relevant to the analysis that Faber was able to bounce back from a rough first round and still defeat Wineland. The former champion is so accustomed to competing from a position of dominance that he hasn't been able to right the ship in the few times we have seen him truly struggle early.
Keep in mind that we are only talking about four losses in 29 professional bouts. Still, the ability to adapt after a bad opening round is something that we haven't really seen from Faber in the past, so I think Team Alpha Male should be feeling pretty good that the bantamweight version of Urijah Faber might be even better than the featherweight version that made him an MMA superstar.
Mirko Cro Cop once struck fear in the hearts of opponents. I don't care what any former PRIDE fighter claims. Nobody looked forward to fighting this guy. Why? Because win or lose, Cro Cop was going to bring the pain in the worst possible way.
Go back and watch what he did to Wanderlei Silva in their 2006 rematch. It was the single-worst beating that Silva has ever taken as a professional. Yes, I know that Vitor Belfort blitzkrieged him in 44 seconds back in 1998. But I guarantee you that Silva will point to the savage beating handed out by Cro Cop in the PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix as the most devastating knockout he has ever suffered.
Today's version of Cro Cop is a far cry from the guy who annihilated Silva. It is obvious to anyone who has been watching the UFC and PRIDE for the last five or six years. The question is whether he can do anything about it at this point in his career.
I wrote about this exact topic after Cro Cop's loss to Frank Mir back on September 25, and the reasons for his struggles remain the same one fight later:
Not to be too critical, but Cro Cop is only an average boxer – he has big power in his left hand, but he is only average in terms of his overall boxing skills. Let's face it. His hands aren't what earned him untold riches in Japan. His hands aren't what won him the 2006 PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix. And his hands certainly aren't what other heavyweights feared when he entered the arena.
Cro Cop is first and foremost a leg-based striker, and that isn't going to change at this late stage in his career. Trying to transform him into a boxer is like trying to turn Shaquille O'Neal into a point guard or Randy Johnson into a finesse pitcher. It's just not going to happen.
If I were managing the Croatian, I would implore him to return to his roots. When this guy uses his legs with the same frequency that other strikers use their hands, he is darn near unbeatable. That may sound silly because one-dimensional fighters rarely succeed in the UFC. The point, though, is that Cro Cop is far from one-dimensional. He is a skilled fighter whose entire game depends on his kicks.
Without that weapon, he is a good, but not great, heavyweight. Saturday night proved that as he was completely outclassed on the feet by a guy who wouldn't have dared to try and stand with him five years ago. On Saturday night, Cro Cop threw somewhere in the neighborhood of three or four left kicks, all in the second round (if my memory serves), and each of them was thrown with sort of a frantic, hurried manner, rather than sitting down and uncorking a confident bomb. Of course, he ended up getting knocked out, something that was almost unthinkable during his PRIDE career.
If I had to point to the root of Cro Cop's decision to abandon his kicks, it would have to be his April 2007 loss to Gabriel Gonzaga. The Croatian was making his second UFC start fresh off a five-fight knockout streak in PRIDE (yes, I'm taking literary license and counting a submission due to strikes as a KO). He looked every bit as confident in his kicks during the opening seconds against Gonzaga, firing a few without reservation and laced with bad intentions. But then, Gonzaga caught a high kick and used it as a vehicle to take the fight to the ground and began grinding away with some brutal ground and pound.
By the time Cro Cop made it back to his feet toward the end of the round, he was exhausted and physically battered. Gonzaga capitalized on his wounded foe by landing a high kick of his own, which led to one of the most shocking knockouts in UFC history – a timeless highlight-reel moment that will forever replay itself in Cro Cop's mind.
We haven't seen kicks thrown in any meaningful quantities since that time. If Cro Cop wants to someday fulfill his dream of becoming a UFC champion, he needs to forget the loss to Gonzaga. He needs to stop fearing getting taken down if someone catches a kick – that risk has existed throughout his career, by the way, and it never stopped him in PRIDE. And he needs to get back to using his kicks as his primary weapon—mixing up low kicks, body kicks and high kicks so that it is difficult to catch a leg and take him down.
After all, when a guy possesses one of the most dangerous weapons in the history of the sport, it is criminal not to use it with regularity.
I don't know what else to say. I think anyone who has watched Cro Cop over the years will agree with those words. Brendan Schaub seemed wide open for quick, slamming leg kicks. The former football star has serious skills and even better athleticism. There is no doubt about that. But it seems logical that he would have at least a bit of difficulty defending leg kicks from one of the best to ever bring that weapon to the mix, particularly since he fought most of the fight with his weight forward on his toes.
Maybe at 36 years old, Cro Cop is too far past his athletic prime to right the ship. Maybe he doesn't throw kicks because he can't throw them with the same velocity as in the past. Each man reaches his athletic peak at a different point in his life, so it wouldn't be unusual for an explosive fighter like Cro Cop to fade away more quickly than a methodical tactician like Randy Couture (who may well fight at a world-class level until he is 50 at this rate).
Maybe a drop to 205 pounds is in order. I would love to see Cro Cop square off against fellow standup destroyer Shogun Rua and see what happens. A bout with Rich Franklin would be lots of fun for the fans. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is another mouth-watering matchup.
Or, maybe it is time for the Croatian sensation to ride off into the sunset and enjoy what he has accomplished to date. I have no idea what Cro Cop has in mind for his future. All I know is something needs to change because he doesn't seem to be able to find his old form as a heavyweight.


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Ancient gene gives planarians a heads-up in regeneration
A seldom-studied gene known as notum plays a key role in the planarian's regeneration decision-making process, according to Whitehead Institute scientists. Protein from this gene determines whether a head or tail will regrow at appropriate amputation sites.
Since the late 1800s, scientists have been fascinated by the planarian's amazing ability to regenerate its entire body from a small wedge of tissue. Whitehead Member Peter Reddien and former postdoctoral fellow Christian Petersen recently found that the Wnt pathwayan ancient signaling circuit that operates in all animalsinhibits head regeneration at wound sites in the tiny flatworms. Intriguingly, Petersen and Reddien also noticed that wounding triggers activation of a Wnt gene at injury sites that normally regenerate a head, suggesting that something else must determine whether a wound makes a head or a tail.
In a paper published in the May 13 issue of Science, authors Christian Petersen and Peter Reddien describe how the gene notum acts at head-facing (anterior) wounds as a dimmer switch to dampen the Wnt pathway and promote head regeneration. When the head or tail of a planarian is cut off, Wnt is activated. This Wnt activity turns on notum, but only at anterior-facing wounds. In a feedback loop, notum then turns Wnt down low enough that it can no longer prevent a head from forming. In tail-facing wounds, however, notum is not activated highly, a condition that promotes tail regrowth.
"These results suggest that animals 'decide' what needs to be regenerated, in part, by using cues that indicate axis direction with respect to the wound," says first author Petersen, who is a former postdoctoral fellow in the Reddien lab and currently Assistant Professor of Molecular Biosciences at Northwestern University. "It's telling us that for the head/tail decision, proper regeneration requires sensing and responding to tissue orientation at wound sites."
Petersen and Reddien are intrigued by this new role for notum. Like the Wnt signaling pathway, notum is highly conserved throughout species, from sea anenomes to fruit flies to humans, but little is known about its roles in biology. Because both notum and the Wnt signaling pathway are so evolutionarily ancient, their interaction in planarians may indicate a relationship that is important in other animals as well.
"We anticipate that this phenomenon of feedback inhibition regulating the levels of Wnt activity will be seen broadly in other biological contexts," says Reddien, who is also an Associate Professor of Biology at MIT and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Early Career Scientist. "Wnt signaling is so broadly studied and important in biology, including for tissue repair and regeneration. notum isn't really on the map for the broad roles Wnt signaling plays in tissue repair, but this work demonstrates the central role it can play."
More information: "Polarized activation of notum at wounds inhibits Wnt signaling to promote planarian head regeneration", Science, May 13, 2011.
Provided by Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research