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A Bit About Girish
Girish B M is currently working as a Senior Software Engineer in Novell Software Development Center in Bangalore. His domain expertises basically include Networking- and Telecom-related technologies. He has completed a M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from Visveswaraiah Technological University, Belagaum.
The Complete Works of Girish
05 Sep 2007
Using SecureLogin Scripting to Enable Quick Finder Login for Web Single Sign-On
This AppNote by Girish Mutt provides an overview of how to use NSL scripts to enable Quick Finder searches with SSO.
09 Aug 2006
Migrating from Novell SecureLogin 3.x to 6.0: A Case Study
Novell's Girish Mutt provides an extensive AppNote detailing the advantages of, and techniques for, migrating to the new Novell SecureLogin 6.0
09 Aug 2006
Configuring and Using Active Directory with Novell SecureLogin
Configuring and using Active Directory with Novell SecureLogin (NSL) just got easier, thanks to this detailed AppNote from Novell's Girish Mutt.
03 May 2006
Novell SecureLogin Script: Gmail Login with SSO
Novell's Girish Mutt shares a cool NSL script to help you add SSO capability to your Gmail login.
05 Apr 2006
Configuring and Using pcprox-based NMAS Authentication with NSL
This AppNote by Novell's Girish Mutt provides an overview of configuring and using pcprox card-based authentication with Novell SecureLogin (NSL).
05 Apr 2006
Configuring and Using Novell Audit with Novell SecureLogin
NSL = good; Novell Audit = good; NSL + Audit = even better. Find out how to configure these two powerhouse Novells apps to work together for your company.
17 Jan 2006
Using the Samba Protocol to Access Windows Shares and Files
Girish Mutt shows how to use the Samba protocol on Novell Linux Desktop machines to access Windows Work groups and Windows Machines' Shared data.
04 Nov 2005
Handling SSO Failures due to Link Identification Text Mismatches
Single Sign-On is a great capability, but sometimes it fails to work for all links in a web site. The reason? Identification text mismatches - find out how to fix this problem thanks to a Cool Solution from Novell's Girish Mutt.
27 Jul 2005
Mapping and Disconnecting NetWare Volumes using Commands - with and without Novell Client
Think you need the Novell Client to map NetWare volumes? Think again. If you don't have the Novell Client, you can't do it the easy login script way. But you still have some command-line and batch file options to help you get the job done without manual intervention. Novell's Girish Mutt tells all.
30 Jun 2005
Correcting an LDAP Version Problem
Girish Mutt, a Novell Software Engineer, sends this tip for resolving an LDAP version problem when you upgrade eDirectory on NetWare 5.1.
15 Jun 2005
Using Terminal Server Client to VNC in Novell Linux Desktop
Girish gives a simple overview of how to use the Terminal Server Client to log in to both Windows and Linux machines.
07 Apr 2005
Access Cached Mail in Novell Linux Desktop or Windows when using Dual Boot
Here's a quick tip from Mutt Girish that explains how to access your cached mail if you are using Dual boot and boot your machine in Novell Linux Desktop or Windows.


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Graphic design Job Skills
Graphic Design Job Overview Graphic designers are responsible for turning concepts into visual designs. They develop ...
Software Developer
Graphic Design Job Overview
Graphic designers are responsible for turning concepts into visual designs. They develop logos, colours, text styles and layouts to communicate ideas for corporate and individual clients. Whether they work in print or digital design, graphic designers often work with both text and images, and they may undergo many rounds of revisions before completing a design concept. Designers must be creative and possess superior artistic skills. Since they often work directly with clients, excellent written and verbal communication skills are also job requirements.
Graphic Design Job Education Requirements
Graphic designers typically hold a bachelor's degree in graphic design, illustration, or another creative field. Depending on their preferred medium, many professionals also have additional experience with either visual arts or computer-aided design. Whether they work in print or on a computer, most graphic designers have a complete grasp of specific design programs and applications. Many obtain certifications in specific software suites to demonstrate their expertise. Entry-level graphic designers typically have one to three years of experience before moving on to higher-level positions.
Graphic Design Job Market
Though graphic design jobs encompass both the print and digital spheres, the job market is somewhat limited across the nation. Much of the projected lack of growth in this industry can be attributed to saturation and moderate levels of unemployment. Since just a small number of graphic designers are expected to retire in the coming years, job openings due to natural turnover are expected to be minimal. Provinces expecting the slowest growth in the graphic design job market include Alberta and British Columbia.
Graphic Design Job Salary Information
Graphic designers earn an average of C$22 per hour across Canada. Entry-level designers earn about C$14.50 per hour, while experienced graphic designers earn closer to C$38 per hour. Across the nation, graphic design jobs in Saskatchewan offer the highest salaries, with rates for experienced designers topping out at about C$44 per hour.

subset: commoncrawl


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* Pricing and Sizing listed under photo...
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A patient's perspective on what to expect ~ by Pat Dickson
Physician review ~ by Dr. Rick Wilson
This article is intended to help those who have decided to have a trab(eculectomy). It describes a typical experience when there are no complications, and provides helpful hints for making things go as smoothly as possible. Many details have been left vague because every trab is different. Always follow your own doctor's instructions carefully.
Six weeks prior to surgery
Now is the time to learn about the restrictions involved in a trab. Doing so now will give you time to determine what you'll need to do to meet them, and to begin making a habit of any necessary changes. Those with a sedentary lifestyle might not notice much. Others with a more active lifestyle must make adjustments, at least temporarily. This includes those with athletic interests (dance, gymnastics, yoga, strength-training, martial arts, etc.) and those whose work involves physical effort (cleaners, childtenders, gardeners, etc.).
Most restrictions fall into one of two categories. The first category applies after any surgery, and is concerned with preventing infection. You must take care to keep the area surrounding the eye clean and dry. You'll probably have bandages only for a day or two and it's particularly important to keep them clean. Washing your hair without getting any water, much less soap, in your operated eye will be important for a longer period, so devise a method of doing this now. Also, notice how often you touch your eye with your finger, and make a habit of restraining yourself.
The second category of restrictions is concerned with preventing excessive pressure from being applied to the eye. Obviously, this can occur if you fall, or poke your eye. Two less obvious ways of increasing pressure can be summarized as 'head below heart' and 'valsalva'. Any position that results in your head being lower than your heart increases the blood pressure in your head and eye, increasing the risk of bleeding. Therefore, bending down is forbidden for at least a week after surgery. Now is the time to get in the habit of squatting instead of bending, whether you are picking something up or cleaning. With practice, you'll find that squatting is usually an acceptable alternative, and has the advantages of saving your back and strengthening your legs.
Blood pressure in the head and eyes is also increased by a valsalva maneuver. This is the act of forcefully compressing your abdomen and diaphragm, as if to exhale, while preventing the air thus compressed in your lungs from flowing out through your mouth and nose. A similar but usually less extreme action can be a natural occurrence during many biological activities such as sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, vomiting, pushing to have a bowel movement (especially when constipated), and sex. Most of us already correctly sneeze, cough, and blow our nose (without stopping the flow of air through our mouth and nose). It can also occur during activities such as inflating balloons or playing a wind instrument. It also frequently occurs when you lift heavy weight therefore, begin to assess the weight of the object you are about to pick up. Immediately after surgery, you'll be restricted to lifting weights less than 10 pounds (a gallon of water weighs just over 8 pounds). The restriction on weight-lifting will gradually be reduced over a period of weeks.
It may take several weeks of assessing your normal activities (opening windows, vacuuming, playing golf, walking in the woods, clipping hedges, etc.) before you can readily identify which should be avoided at least temporarily after surgery. How heavy are those bags of groceries and loads of laundry? If your normal activities require that you put your head lower than your heart, lift weights, blow hard, etc., then now is the time to discover whether there is another way of obtaining the same result. If you run into difficulties, discuss them with your doctor.
Another area that might require adjustment is appearance. Those who wear contacts must give them up (at least temporarily, although many doctors recommend that contacts not be used at all as long as the bleb continues to function). Those who wear eye makeup should begin a transition to some form that will not involve the risk of getting something in the eye. Mascara and eyeliner are particular dangers, and such products should be replaced every few months.
Another task to take care of during this period is to determine if any additional tests will be required prior to surgery, such as an EKG. Then you can get them completed in good time.
One week prior to surgery
For a short period before surgery, your doctor may require you to discontinue some medications temporarily; blood thinners such as aspirin, coumadin, plavix, ibuprofen, and even large doses of vitamin E are often on this list. A few may need to start tapering off caffeine and chocolate a week before to avoid the headache that may result from the fast required in the hours before surgery. Eat, sleep, and exercise well during this period to avoid problems such as the need for laxatives after surgery. Any new practices (such as evaluating weights before lifting, squatting rather than bending, hair-washing without face wetting, and proper sneezing) should be habitual now.
Finalize your arrangements for the weeks following surgery. Your new schedule must allow plenty of time for putting drops in your eyes, and for frequent transportation to the doctor. Consider what other help you may need in meeting your obligations while your activities are restricted.
Finalize your arrangements for the day of surgery. You will require transportation to and from surgery. Select clothing and shoes to wear that are loose and comfortable, something that does not require pulling over your head or bending over to fasten. You won't be able to take anything into the operating room, so plan on leaving home everything but the essentials. One exception is your glasses case: you won't be able to wear your glasses over the patch and shield, so take a case to put them in.
Immediately Before, During, and After Surgery
Follow your doctor's instructions for the period immediately preceding surgery. Usually this includes eating and drinking nothing after midnight the evening before surgery. The sedation that will be used during your surgery dulls your natural protective reflexes that prevent food from the stomach coming back into your throat and being breathed into your lungs. Having an empty stomach minimizes this possibility. Wash your hair at the last possible moment. Dress in your prepared clothes and remember to take your insurance card, but leave nonessential valuables like jewelry at home.
Allow plenty of time to arrive at the medical center at the designated time; make allowances for traffic and parking difficulties. Once in the reception and waiting lounge, you may be required to sign additional paper work, such as an informed consent form or a living will. More tests or samples may be required.
At some point, you and your companion will be taken to the preoperative room staffed by nurses. There you may be instructed to undress (at least your upper body) and get into a gown and booties though many surgicenters just have you wear a gown over your street clothes. It's nice to be able to keep your socks on. You will climb onto an operating stretcher that will move you into the operating room and serve as your operating table unless you are scheduled for general anesthesia. You will have to leave all personal belongings here. There will be a chair for your companion, and other small niceties to help make them comfortable while they wait. At some point, an intravenous line will be placed in your lower arm, and a saline drip started. Your anesthesiologist (if you have one) or surgeon may chat briefly with you before you are led to the operating room. Remember that your job is to be calm, cooperative, and confident.
Once in the operating room, you will be made comfortable and warm laying face up with your head secured by a donut-shaped pillow. You'll be hooked up to monitors, and fitted with a nasal oxygen canula. The circulating nurse, after scrubbing the area around your eye with an anti-bacterial solution, will place a sterile drape over your face with a clear sticky window, leaving only the targeted eye exposed. The adherent drape will keep your breath from getting into the operative field.
At some point, you will start receiving a relaxant through the IV line. You will be able to hear, feel, and respond; you won't feel worried or apprehensive. You'll feel no pain; if you do, you should inform your surgeon. The relaxant may prevent any memories of the surgery from forming. (A general anesthetic is rarely used.)
At the end of the surgery, your eye will have a sterile clear plastic shield placed over it, and may have a patch as well. The entire procedure will probably take about an hour; you'll then be taken to the postoperative area. Here you will be glad to see your companion, if any. You will be observed by the staff for a short period to make sure you are doing well. During this time you will recover from the effects of the sedation and be given something to eat and drink to raise your blood sugar after your fast and to make sure you are not nauseated from the sedation. After awhile, the IV will be disconnected, and you will need to dress in your own clothes without bending over. Be careful not to fall.
Before being dismissed, you will be cautioned about restrictions and instructed in the care of your eye. A kit containing your new medications, sunglasses, and patch materials, if any, will be given to you. There may be additional formalities and you may need to sign a paper saying you understand your instructions for post-operative care. You will be released about four hours after arriving at the medical center.
Go home and relax! Take it easy; sit around and enjoy music or conversation. You can watch TV with your other eye. Do not drink any alcohol the first day. Do not fiddle with the eye patch; keep it clean. You probably will have a scratchy feeling from the tiny stitches in your eye but feel only discomfort or minor pain now, at a level that requires nothing more than Tylenol [acetaminophen]. While a shower or bath might be relaxing, be careful not to get any water, much less soap or shampoo, in your eye. Be careful not to get into any situation where your operated eye might be poked or pressed.
The first twenty-four hours after the surgery, you will feel fairly normal. However, you will still be under the effect of the anesthesia, so you should not drive or conduct other activities requiring alertness and quick responses. You will not be able to see well because you will be newly one-eyed, sometimes with a patch over the operated eye that prevents wearing your glasses. Your depth perception will be poor, so be careful around stairs and curbs.
The next day you will need transportation to and from the doctor's office. Here, they will ask about your first night and check your visual acuity. Do not worry if it is poor at this point; often people cannot even see the big E, even with the pinhole device. Your intraocular pressures will be checked, with the usual drops given for that, and the eye examined to make sure the wound is well-closed and the trabeculectomy working well. If the pressure is higher than expected, a suture may be removed with a small sharp knife or laser to open up the trabeculectomy flap further. Your medication instructions will again be reviewed with you. Your next appointment will be set up; this is often for a week later, but sometimes it is for the next day.
First week following surgery
Not too many years ago, people were required to spend this first week in bed. That is no longer true, but your restrictions will be in full force, and should be carefully observed. You should limit yourself to non-strenuous activities: don't strain, don't bend, and don't lift anything over 10 pounds. Protect your eye with either the shield or glasses. A patch is not needed, however, some people find that wearing the patch at night helps minimize discharge and irritation. If you find that the tape supplied in the kit irritates your skin, there are alternatives such as paper tape available. If the tape is so sticky that it feels like it pulls off some of your skin each time you remove it, try sticking it to a clean spot on your clothes or a clean cloth several times to remove some of the stickum before using it on your face.
You may notice some strange particles floating in the eye, as well as a little discharge, but these are usually no problem. Follow the instructions you have been given for cleaning the eye, being as gentle as possible.
Other people may not notice anything unusual about the appearance of your eyes if they are used to you wearing glasses and no eye makeup. Upon closer inspection, your eye may appear slightly red and watery. This is because the new outflow of fluid may collect just above the lower eyelid, lifting the conjunctiva above the surface of the eye. Do not worry as this means things are working as expected, and the appearance of things will gradually improve. A "black eye", caused by bleeding from the anesthesia needles, will fade like a bruise, first fading to brown, and then green.
Most people feel some discomfort, but not pain. Many report periods of feeling blue as well as euphoric. The vision in your trab eye will be poor but you will have your normal vision in your other eye. This is usually sufficient for many activities, including computer work. Rest your eyes whenever they feel tired. Driving may be possible, but your vision is probably worse in this regard than you realize, so be very careful.
You'll be busy medicating your eye. In addition to your regular medications for your non-trab eye, you will be using at least two different drops in your newly operated eye, and one of these is needed every few hours during the day. For most people, a chart and a timer helps keep everything on schedule. This is a good opportunity to put your eager helpers to work. Double-check the instructions for your medicine: many people miss the fact that the steroid bottle needs shaking before administering drops. Remember to wash your hands before medicating, and to allow five minutes for absorption between the different drops.
The first six weeks following surgery
Your doctor will need to check your eye frequently during this period. Weekly exams are often required for about a month, and then the period between exams is gradually lengthened. Keep track of your supply of medications; at some point you may run low and need additional prescriptions from your doctor. It is best to have someone else do your driving, especially to doctor appointments since the doctor may need to do a procedure that would impair your driving ability.
Acuity in the trab eye improves over what it was immediately post-surgery, but often remains below your pre-surgery level, at least while the new medications are continued. It may take months for your vision to stabilize, so do not be too eager to buy new glasses.
After several weeks, the medications are slowly tapered off, and similarly your restrictions are gradually lifted. The stitches closing the cut in the conjunctiva will dissolve during this period or may need to be removed. The latter is done in the office with a drop of liquid anesthesia and is pain-free. The area of conjunctiva that is raised by fluid draining from the trabeculectomy, the bleb, gradually changes shape.
After about a month, some people begin to feel that their eye has healed. However, the new scars are being remodeled as a balance is sought between the body's tendency to scar over the opening, and the pressure of the eye's fluid keeping it open. Stability may be achieved in as little as three months, but it often takes longer. Being well prepared will help you keep this period as pleasant as possible.


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3100 Atlantic Avenue (PARK MAP)Located behind Penfield Town Hall
85 acres
This facility includes little league fields, softball fields, multi-use rectangular fields, a nature trail, a tot fitness trail, handicapped accessible play equipment, an open shelter, Dolomite Lodge, Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage, basketball and lighted tennis courts, and restrooms.
Park Security
Our town facilities are monitored daily by security officers. If you have a park problem or emergency, security may be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 340-8618 and weekday evenings and weekends at 329-0131. The park ordinance is strictly enforced with appearance tickets. Please call 911 to report any emergencies and public safety issues.
Please note: Vandalism in any park is expensive and senseless. Help us keep the Town of Penfield parks beautiful. Also remember not to park in handicapped zones, emergency or fire lanes, as tickets are issued regularly. **IMPORTANT REMINDER - Dogs must be leashed on Town park property at all times and owners are responsible for cleaning up after the dog. Tickets are issued.


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Rock-n-Roll inspired shoulder duster earrings featuring cascading metal chains and distressed triangles for that rocker-chic look. Sterling silver post backs.
Finish: Sterling Silver and Metal Chain.
Dimensions: 1"w x 4.5" drop
Handcrafted by Ilene King in the United States.
Materials: Sterling Silver or Brass
AHAlife is committed to help you live a conscious and inspired life.
Many of the items you discover here are exclusive to AHAlife, which is what makes our community of designers and artisans so special.
If you find one of our products anywhere else for less than it's being sold on our site, we will match it.
Our dedicated Support Team is here to help. Reach out any time at:


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National Day charity project Building a LovingSG has raised $206,700 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
Mr Chan Lee Mun, principal of Nanyang Polytechnic, presented the cheque to the fund's chairman Han Fook Kwang at the school on Wednesday.
The fund provides children from needy families with financial aid to pay for school-related expenses.
The highlight of the charity project, a large-scale Lego model of the NDP parade, will be displayed at the polytechnic in Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 until Thursday.


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Since their school day already ends at 13.05h, students in the Entrance Class through Grade 2 who are not participating in one of the After School Care programs (Late Birds or Hort) are expected to have lunch at home after returning from school. Each child should bring a healthy snack and drink from home which they have during their scheduled snack time earlier in the school day.
For students attending Hort, a warm lunch is included in their Hort fee. Entrance Class children are taken to the Hort rooms by their Hort teachers after school where they have their lunch. Hort children in Grades 1 and 2 come to the Aula after school and sit down at preset tables to have lunch together with their Hort teachers.
For students attending "Late Birds", there are two lunch options. They can either bring a lunch chip (through a private contract with the caterer Brunch@School) and will be taken to have lunch in the Aula after reporting to "Late Birds" after school; or they can bring a lunch from home and sit down with the other children in the Aula to eat it.


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You wake up in the morning, there's a soreness in the back of your throat. You're just dehydrated, you think. But it doesn't go away. Actually, it's getting worse. You take some medication, drink lots of water, and head to bed early for a good night's rest.
You rise the next morning and lazily open your eyes. You start inhaling, to fill your lungs with the cool morning air. But the air won't come. You start panicking. Your sinuses and nose are clogged – you're suffocating.
At last, a tiny bit of air penetrates your lungs, and you survive to live another minute – but you don't know if you'll make it much longer than that. You realize that your nose is dripping like a faucet, your chest is clogged, your throat is still sore, your head throbs, you feel both hot and chilled, and you start thinking death may have been better than this miserable condition. You've got the common cold.
I don't know about you, but I've always wondered how our society has sent humans to outer space, or designed financial indexes that predict the performance of complex stocks, but can't cure the most basic illnesses. Instead, we go about our lives like walking pharmaceuticals, our pockets jingling with pills instead of coins. It wasn't always this way, though.
Once upon a time, our ancestors coped with recurring illnesses like the common cold and the flu without using toxic drugs. How did they do it, you say? I'll tell you how. It was all done with the use of herbal medicines that can be found in your back garden.
There are countless viruses that cause flu and cold symptoms. The viruses are able to adapt and evolve in order to bypass your immune system, so the colds and flus never stop. Doctors treat these illnesses by prescribing medicines that relieve the symptoms. But, in many cases, the prescribed treatments only disrupt your body's natural healing process. Instead of interfering with your immune system, the following herbal remedies will support it and enhance your body's ability to fight viruses.
Immune Strengthening Herbs
Echinacea (Echinacea Angustifolia)
Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs for strengthening immune systems and fending off viruses. It supports and enhances white blood cells, protecting your body against infectious diseases and foreign invaders; expands production of interferon, proteins released by virus-infected cells to stop the virus from multiplying; and increases immune cells' ability to engulf and destroy invading microbes.
Echinacea is a flowering plant from the daisy family, and can be found in eastern and central North America. Plucking this flower can help shorten the duration of colds and flus by as much as one-third of the standard time, subtracting two or three days from your misery. For effective use, begin ingesting Echinacea before or as soon as symptoms appear. Take approximately 900mg throughout the day. It's more effective to take frequent dosages, consuming a couple of drops every hour or two.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Astragalus is an immune system booster that's commonly used in eastern medicine as a tonic. Derived from the legume family, you can find this flower in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Don't use this remedy as a short term cure, but rather as a long term immune system rebuilder. Studies prove that it strengthens your immune system and fights, bacteria, viruses, and leads to declines in the percentage of senescent cytotoxic T cells and natural killers cells. Consider Astragalus as a preventative measure, and use it to strengthen your body for the future.
Treating Flu Viruses
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Not only will garlic help fend off vampires, but it'll help you treat the flu too. Garlic is a very active substance in inhibiting and killing microbes. It also helps to accelerate expectoration the process of coughing up and expelling mucus. You may want to buff up on your garlic intake this flu season. Simply add raw garlic to your salads and dishes. Always use raw garlic, otherwise the active ingredients may have been lost.
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice root, found in southern Europe and Asia, contains high levels of glycyrrhizin, which has antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and blood-pressure increasing properties that allows it to kill viruses, particularly flu viruses. Similar to Echinacea, Licorice Root can also be used a preventative herb because it has polysaccharide components that activate your system's production of interferon and grows white blood cells.
Herbal Decongestants
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)
Ephedra has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Although its possible side effects pose risks to some people, it shows many promising benefits. The plant contains ephedrine, a chemical substance similar to epinephrine (adrenaline inducing) and pseudoephedrine (decongestant).
The herb helps to purify your respiratory congestion and unclog your airways. It also strengthens your cardiovascular and central nervous system. However, it's dangerous to ingest great quantities, which may cause raised blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and headaches. Take caution when administering this herb. Take no more than 1mg an hour, and discontinue usage after a week of dosages
Really, there are thousands of different herbs that can help improve your body and relieve your symptoms. The key is to educating yourself on herbal remedies. Hopefully this list peaked your interest, so you can continue your research independently. We have access to an unlimited number of natural medicines in Mother Nature's backyard and our own back gardens; turn your head away from those toxic pharmaceuticals and open your eyes to the light of herbal medicine!
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NSF Collaborative Grant:
Gustavo de Veciana (U.T. Austin) and
George Kesidis (Penn State)
Graduate Students: Virag Shah, Ayis Ziotopoulos (joined Google, CA)
Support: This project is supported by the National Science Foundation Grant CNS 0915928
Project Overview:
Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems have seen continued growth, in terms of traffic volume, and as the architecture of choice for applications and network services; notable benefits lie in their distributed design leading to higher reliability and flexibility. However as users/peers increasingly become content providers, and generally conduct more of their business on the network, privacy is a critical concern. Our research attempts to leverage trust relationships among interconnected peers, e.g., their willingness to reveal their ability to resolve certain classes of queries to their neighbors, their reputation, etc, to improve performance, while maintaing a degree of privacy.
In particular, peer-to-peer systems can be designed so as to dynamically adapt, based on the outcomes of previous peer transactions. Such adaptation can, for example, serve to guide the routing of future queries for particular classes of content/files/information to nodes most likely to to resolve them-- this is one of the key areas of inquiry for this project. We focus on unstructured or hybrid networks where peer-membership correlations (in content and ability to resolve classes of queries) among communities of interest can be learned to improve the search performance by appropriately biasing random walks and limited-scope flooding. P2P systems can also be designed to capture, store and share dynamic spatio-temporal information in a manner that scales -- in particular by recognizing that often such information will be consumed by mobiles/users that are close to where it was generated. Such locality in consumption and production of information, can be integrated into the design of P2P networks, and serve to once again adapt the infrastructure to heterogeneity in loads and available resources.
Technical Accomplishments:
Throughput optimal routing queries in P2P networks: As mentioned above one of our key objectives is to devise new ways to route queries in unstructured (hybrid) peer-to-peer systems which can learn to better resolve queries based on observing the outcomes of previous queries. The basic challenge in finding files/resources in an unstructured P2P network is routing a query to the resource (or a peer that knows where the file/resource would be), without access to an addressing system or directory. A typical solution is simply to route queries at random, i.e., following a random walk over the P2P overlay until the file/resource is found. Indeed, much recent research work has focused on the analysis of such mechanisms, e.g., speed of convergence and/or time to find the object of interest. Such an approach has several problems, including in particular that it may take some time to find the object of interest, but more importantly, it is completely oblivious to the query loads traffic generated on the system. This is important since query resolution is carried out by peers which may have different levels of altruism and performance is dependent on ensuring that queries are routed in a manner that is consistent with available resources.
To that end we have devised an approach to routing queries that has several new characteristics. Queries are classified into classes, where classes can be a broadly defined, e.g., types of music video or files. In our approach query routing is class based and exploits a type of back pressure-based scheduling and routing mechanism. Our approach is completely novel, in various respects --in particular:
In our work we provide and evaluate several interesting variations on our throughput optimal mechanism that help significantly improve the delay performance, and further reduce complexity, making it amenable to implementation. Specifically, we formally show that back pressure with aggregated queues, where aggregation is based on queries' histories, is throughput optimal for fully connected super-peer networks. This provides a basis for substantially reducing complexity by approximations, e.g., in the case where content is randomly placed amongst peers.
Although there has been substantial work on back pressure-based mechanisms for routing traffic
in wireline and wireless networks, we believe this result represents a significant technical
contribution that has a substantially different character. Our approach effectively guides a
routing of queries (rather than traffic) to locations where they are likely to be resolved.
Our approach not only achieves throughput-optimality, i.e., stability, but does so under
Grade of Service constraints on query resolution,
i.e., it achieves the maximal capacity region subject to such GoS constraints.
P2P network architecture for the storage and query of dynamic spatio-temporal flow of events: As part of this project we have also worked towards developing a novel approach to store and query real-time (contextual) information from/to a population of wireless/wired devices generating a stream of spatio-temporal events corresponding to sensors/applications and/or humans. The approach is based on a novel peer-to-peer overlay network architecture which exploits the spatial relevance of events and the locality of queries to store and query events close to where they are likely to be consumed. To date we have developed most of the basic protocols necessary to operate such a system and proposed a simple model for such systems that can be used to analyze the sensitivity of performance (query delay) to node density and overlay connectivity.
Representative Publications:
Learning to Route Queries in Unstructured P2P Networks: Achieving Throughput Optimality Subject to Query Resolution Constraints.
V. Shah, G. de Veciana, and G Kesidis, IEEE INFOCOM, March 2012.
P2P Network for Storage and Query of a Spatio-Temporal Flow of Events.
A. Ziotopoulos, and G. de Veciana in International Workshop on Mobile Peer-to-Peer Computing in conjunction with the IEEE Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications (Percom), March 2011
Addressing Non-homogeneities in a Ubiquitious P2P Platform for Context Exchange.
A. Ziotopoulos and G. de Veciana, IEEE WoWMoM Workshop on Autonomic and Opportuistic Communications, June 2012.
STARR-DCS: Spatio-Temporal Adaptation of Random Replication for Data Centric Storage.
A. Cuevas, and M. Uruena and G. de Veciana and A. Yadav ACM Trasactions on Sensor Networks, 10(3):, to appear, 2014.
Dynamic Data-Centric Storage for Long-Term Storage in Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks.
Angel Cuevas, Manuel Uruena, Gustavo de Veciana, Ruben Cuevas and Noel Crespi Wireless Networks Journal, May 2013
Decentralized Capacity Reallocation for a Loss Network.
A. Kurve and G. Pang and G. Kesidis and G. de Veciana, Conference on Information Sciences and Systems, March 2012.
Mobile Applications and Algorithms to Facilitate Electric Vehicle Deployment.
Yuhuan Du and Gustavo de Veciana, Proceedings of the IEEE, January 2013.


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Matches August 19th & 20th
Posted on
1st XI
Bury St Edmunds played at home to reigning champions Swardeston on what looked a difficult match, home captain Sean Park won the toss and elected to field in conditions that helped the bowlers. Peter Lambert batted with typical gusto scoring 36 off 43 balls. A change of bowlers brought immediate benefits to the home side, Lambert was caught by wicket keeper James Sturgeon off Park and fellow opener Jason Reynolds was bowled by Sean Cooper with the score on 53. Jordan Taylor was caught and bowled by Cooper for 15 making it 79/3 and on the same score came the big wicket of Joe Gatting caught by Josh Cantrell off Park for 7. Stephen Gray who had scored a superb 103 earlier in the season was bowled by Cooper for 12 on 107. Bury turned to spin and Josh Cantrell bowled a good line and length and was rewarded with 3 wickets; an excellent catch off his own bowling to account for Lewis Demark (37), Fred Ruffle (29) and Jeremy Elliott caught by Alistair Allchin (11). Sharp run outs by Park and Dominic Manthorpe highlight a good fielding performance as the visitors were all out for 200 in 48.5 overs. Reality is this was 50 runs less than Bury expected. Cooper returned figure of 3 for 28 Cantrell 3 for 39 and Park 2 for 40.
The home side lost Ben Curran lbw for 5 with the score on 19 but Allchin and Manthorpe batted soundly taking the score to 93 when Manthorpe was out to an expansive shot for 44, Allchin fell lbw to Gatting for 37 on 126. On the same score Park was out caught first ball and Alfie Marston for 3 with the score on 152, Daron Cruickshank had made 44 when he was out going for a big shot over mid-off with the score on 160 and when Cantrell was also out a run later lbw to a ball that kept low Bury were in trouble, the familiar story of struggling to achieve the target again became apparent. James Sturgeon was joined by Luke De Plooy needing 40 runs both batted with sense and maturity and gradually played risk free cricket aided by a few wides and no balls, gradually the runs accumulated before De Plooy cut a 4 to square leg to win the game De Plooy scored 13 runs off 35 deliveries and Sturgeon remained not out 19 off 33 for a vital win that takes Bury off the bottom of the EAPL, 4 games to go and everything to play for.
2nd XI
Away to Little Bardfield who won the toss and chose to bat. They scored 163/7, George Loyd 3/23. Bury came up agonisingly short with 162/9.
3rd XI
Bury restricted West Mersea to 101 all out. Martin Sully taking 5/36. Bury scored 103/3 to win by 7 wickets, Broughton 29 and Aldous 31 not out.
4th XI
Playing Woolpit 4's Missed out on win chasing 145. Bury managed 140 all out with Andy Longfield 77.
Sunday 1st XI
Beat Bardwell away, Oliver Riddick impressing with bat and ball (3 more wickets taking his tally for the season to over 60)
Sunday 2nd XI
Beat Mildenhall - Bury 230/8, Dinesh 101. Mildenhall 189/7.
Green King players of the week: Sean Cooper, Josh Cantrell, George Loyd, Oliver Riddick, Martin Sully, Andy Longfield, Dinesh


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Grouped by: Andrew Murray
Lord, Teach Us To Pray
'Lord, Teach Us To Pray.' Blessed Lord! who ever livest to pray, Thou canst teach me too to pray, me to live ever to pray. In this Thou lovest to make me share Thy glory in heaven, that I should pray without ceasing, and ever stand...


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Newmark Security Secures Contract Extension with Long Term Client
Grosvenor Technology announce key partnership
Grosvenor Technology announce acquisition of new offices
"New product investment returns seen in 2017-2018"
Interview with IG Live
"Brexit won't make it a difference to terrorist attack fears in Europe". June 2016
Interview with Business Insider UK – Read Here
"Women in boardrooms: by merit not quota". November 2015
Interview with news.markets
"Newmark Security moves forward into new areas of operation". November 2015
Interview with Jeremy Naylor on IG Live.
"Newmark Security CEO positive on growth prospects". August 2015
Interview with Proactive Investors


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If you have any Comments or suggestions Please don't hesitate to send me an email. My Goal is to make this sight the best it can be for helping People like yourself obtain the information you need and it can only be accomplished through your input.
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Welcome to fYRE GALLERY
Fyre gallery is a boutique fine art gallery specialising in works on paper and textiles. Located in the unique heritage listed town of Braidwood, NSW, FyreGallery is committed to an ethos of "beautiful, functional and sustainable". Since opening in 2005 FyreGallery has acquired a reputation for surprising and delighting clients and visitors alike.
fYREGallery is proud to be an Associate Gallery of Josef Lebovic Gallery, Sydney Australia, The Old Print Shop, New York, N.Y. , and Caroline Gallery, Madrid, New Mexico USA.
fYREGALLERY is available for rent to professional artists for self-directed shows and other creative events on a weekly or monthly basis (Wednesday-Wednesday) by submission. Head to the HIRE GALLERY SPACE page for details.
These five large-format Will Barnet serigraphs are currently available from fYREGALLERY, Braidwood NSW. Due to their large size, and the need for the serigraphs, (silk-screen prints), to be shipped flat, these works have previously only been available to buyers in NYC. Since his death in 2012 fewer and fewer of his prints have entered the art market, making those that are offered for sale very desirable. Ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 AUD, these works are well-priced and come framed. Shipping can be arranged in Australia.
Through the 8 decades of his career, Will Barnet was recognised master printmaker and painter. Will Barnet's work often celebrated the women he loved and their cats in the images he created. In print, he worked across the mediums of woodcut, etching, lithography and serigraphy (silkscreening). As a Master Printmaker, he printed works for Diego Rivera and Clemente Orozco. His works are held in most of the major public collections of Fine Art in America, as well as Europe and the UK.
The Will Barnet serigraphs are on consignment from The Old Print Shop, Lexington Ave., New York N.Y. To purchase or for more information please contact Cheryl Hannah, Director fYREGALLERY


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Nonprevailing pay OK'd for municipal projects
Background: In 2007, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California,
What's happened: Yesterday, the state 4th District Court of Appeal upheld an earlier Superior Court ruling in favor of Vista.
The future: The trades council plans to appeal to the California Supreme Court.
In a court decision potentially worth millions of dollars to Vista and scores of cities across California, the state 4th District Court of Appeal yesterday upheld the right of charter cities to pay less than the prevailing wage – typically what union workers make – for municipal projects.
The ruling was 2-1 in a widely watched case that followers believe will be taken up by the California Supreme Court.
"It was the topic of conversation among cities, both charter cities and general-law cities, throughout the state," said Patrick Whitnell, general counsel for the League of California Cities. "We have not heard the last word on this issue."
A statewide labor organization, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, AFL-CIO, sued Vista shortly after it became a charter city in 2007.
The trades council had argued that a city's charter does not supersede state laws that require municipalities to pay prevailing wages on public-works projects.
Sandy Harrison, a trades council spokesman, said the organization would appeal the case to the state Supreme Court.
"A prevailing wage serves a statewide purpose," Harrison said. "If charter cities are allowed to pay substandard wages and benefits, it creates downward pressure through the entire region and, ultimately, the state."
If the trades council had prevailed, it could have forced costly changes in contracting practices for many of California's 114 charter cities. Jobs paid at union scale are roughly 6.5 percent to 30 percent more expensive than non-prevailing-wage jobs, several sources say.
"Obviously, it is a good win," Vista City Attorney Darold Pieper said. "This decision follows a long line of California court cases that have recognized the special status of charter cities under our constitution."
San Diego County has six charter cities in addition to Vista: Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Del Mar, San Diego, San Marcos and Santee. Not all of them will be affected by the ruling.
San Diego passed a living-wage ordinance in 2005, and Del Mar already requires that the prevailing wage be paid for municipal projects.
In the majority court opinion, Justices Richard Huffman and Patricia Benke wrote that the prevailing-wage law "does not address matters of statewide concern and therefore Vista, as a charter city, is not required to comply with" it on public-works projects solely financed with city revenue.
"Rather, such contracts are municipal affairs over which Vista has paramount power. . . . We affirm the trial court's judgment denying (the trade council's) petition," they wrote.
In dissent, Judge Joan Irion wrote, "Having concluded that the prevailing-wage law is one of statewide concern based on the legislative purpose of maintaining the wage base in the construction industry and promoting quality apprentice training . . . I would conclude that despite its status as a charter city, Vista may not exempt itself from compliance with the prevailing-wage law."
Determining the money a city can save on a project by not paying union wages is difficult, especially in a bad economy, when labor and materials costs are artificially lower.
Skip Hammann, Carlsbad's special-projects director, said that city's proposed 32-acre Alga Norte Community Park was estimated to cost $32.7 million if prevailing wages were paid and $28.5 million if they were not.
Hammann figured that about half the potential savings came from wages and half from lower costs for materials.
In Vista, the debate was a central election issue in 2007, when voters approved a city charter. The charter allows Vista to opt out of paying union wages for projects not funded with state or federal money.
At the time, Vista was planning to build $100 million worth of projects, including a civic center, two fire stations and a sports park derived from a half-cent sales tax increase that voters approved in 2006.
In July 2007, the trades council filed suit in San Diego Superior Court against Vista to force it to pay prevailing wages for public-works projects.
This past November, Judge Robert Dahlquist ruled in the city's favor, prompting an appeal.
The debate over city charter status dates to the early 1930s.
A ruling in 1932 said state lawmakers could not require charter cities to follow the Public Wage Rate Act of 1931. A 1981 case also found that charter cities are not subject to the payment of prevailing wages.
Whitnell and Harrison said the divided ruling by the appeals court means the state Supreme Court probably will take up the case.
Rick Rogers: (760) 476-8212; email@example.com


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How To Draw A Self-Portrait
Drawing a self-portrait can be one quite challenging. As someone who has grown more comfortable, and interested, in sketching landscapes over the years, re-entering the world of drawing people has been a challenge. I drew myself a couple of times in high school, but ever since I have been more into drawing landscapes and animals. Last year I drew a portrait of my nephew, and I once again I am working on my technique of drawing people. This time around I decided to draw a self-portrait because I can take pictures and use the mirror as a reference. There are certain basic things I remember from my art classes when it comes to drawing people, such as how the head is oval shaped and the eyes are about half-way down the face. Reading books on basic drawing instruction are useful when you first start drawing self-portraits, or when you decide to draw people for the first time in a decade or so.
Books To Teach You About Self-Portraits
To refresh my memory on drawing the human figure, I read a few drawing books. As always I recommend your library, second-hand bookstores, and eBay all as sources for finding useful drawing books to reference.
Photographing The Phases of A Sketch
I always photograph the phases of the sketch because I like to see how my work evolves from start to finish. Also, I use photographs of my sketch in various phases to design cards and other products I sell online. Thus, photographing your artwork can be very handy, and can give you new ideas about how to alter a sketch next time around.
Reference Photographs For TheSelf-Portrait: Doing Art "Your Own Way"
I took several self-portraits photographs and used a mirror as reference for sketching my self-portrait. Photo editing software was used to turn one of the photographs into a sepia image because I find these type of photos inspiring, and also to help with shading. The other photos were left in color.
One thing I have learned as an artist that has translated over to my photography is to take photographs that inspire you. Many photographers have certain ideas about angels, or what types or shots are best, but sometimes you just have to flout these rules! The photographs that speak to me the most are the ones other people may not appreciate, but I enjoy photographing and drawing what I find to be aesthetically pleasing. Thus, my photography has truly been an inspiration when it comes to my drawing as I use these as a go-to resource. Just like I abhor the idea of writing a vampire themed novel just because a few people got lucky doing this (the novel I am working on is sort of a critique of the modern romance novel), I also detest going along with what everyone thinks is best when it comes to photography and artwork.
Where did I get this self-confidence in my photography and artwork? It started from the age of a child when I first glanced at the amazing landscapes and portraits my dad took while stationed in Thailand. By the age of seven I had my first camera, and even some of the images I took back then have been of use for me today. What I learned from my dad's travel photos in Thailand was that these were not the overly staged photos to be found in a high-end travel magazine, but what I can say is these is these are beautiful, authentic, and document a time period in the early seventies that will never be seen again. Some of my favorite photographers and artists always created what appealed to them, not what "experts" or popularly opinion dictated. So when it come to photography, sketching, or writing, it is good to flout "the rules" for the sake of creativity. My writing, photography, and artwork have always been stronger for it.
Sketching The Portrait
I began the sketch by first outlining the body, neck and head based on several of the reference photographs, and my own artistic license. Once I was satisfied with the layout of the body, I added the hair.
I like to use pictures of my sketches before I color these in for different cards and prints I design for my website, and just as a reference for future use. Thus, photography can be very useful when it comes to documenting and creating your art inspired products for sale.
Coloring In The Self Portrait
Coloring in a pencil drawing with colored pencils is always my favorite step in the process. Over the last year I have moved away from using water colored pencils as I noticed the hues faded when you frame your illustration, but this does not seem to be the case with regular colored pencils.
Coloring in my sketches is very rewarding because I see my illustrations come to life. Also, I like to use a bit of artistic license when it comes to shading in my drawings, such as changing up the colors of the clothing I was wearing the self-portrait photograph.
In this phase of the sketch I used a gold colored pencil to give my top an interesting hue, and used the same color on the necklace I drew on my self-portrait.
When I draw animal portraits I often prefer to color in a simply background so the focus remains on the subject, and I did the same with this self-portrait.
I scanned a picture of my self-portrait to bring out the details of the sketch. My next drawing is another landscape, but I plan on doing more self-portraits and portrait drawings in the future.
The Framed Self-Portrait Drawing
Copyright Notice: All text and photos in this hub are the property of J Hanna and may not be used without permission.
Have you ever drawn a self-portrait?
Happy New Year
Nice one sweetie pie, but I reckon your name should be cutie pie after seing your self portrait. Hehehehe
Nice work!!! Thank you for visiting my gallery!
Thanks - I bookmarked it for when I have time to actually check into it further. The drawings there are amazing!
I have always wanted to be able to draw people... I have tried, but I am not that confident in my drawings to say I would actually show people... but with practice maybe that will change. Very awesome!
Great tips. You are a very talented girl. I am glad to have a good friend a like you.
I was really thinking about it, one day soon, thanks for that!
I think you're ready to become a police sketch artist, nicely done! Great how you have illustrated all of the steps. Thanks for the info, I tried a self portrait when I was in my teens using charcoal and thought it looks pretty close to the real thing, but everyone laughed at it so I never tried again, Lol. But you have talent! Voted Up!
Great tips for drawing anything not just a self portrait. Many thanks for sharing:-)
voted up
I Like it, it is almost like baking a cake for the first time or preparing a new meal.


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Who Does Kristen Merlin From NBC's The Voice Look Like? [VIDEO]
It's almost uncanny isn't it?
The more I watch Kristen Merlin on The Voice, the more she resembles Ellen Degeneres to me! Do you think Shakira's final team member favors Ellen? Tell us about it below in the comments section, then check out some of Kristen's best performances to date on The Voice.


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December 18, 2015 – 28 Nigerians Deportees From Belgium, Italy & Switzerland Arrive Lagos Today
At least 28 Nigerian citizens sent home from 3 European countries without valid visas have arrived home.
According to NAN, 24 of the deportees were repatriated from Italy while two each from Belgium and Switzerland.
They were flown into Nigeria in a Meridiana Aircraft from Rome around 7:25pm and were received by NIS officials.
There is no place like home but e no easy ooo.
May God comfort help them.


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Find professional renovations and bathroom remodeling in Soquel, Santa Cruz, and San Rafael, CA when you call 831-244-6718 today. Every successful bathroom renovation begins with the foundation, which is your plumbing. When you call, we will send out a technician to provide a quote and get started. Check out our current online sales and coupons.
When the time comes to do home renovations, at least one of the bathrooms in the house is usually on the agenda. Sometimes, a bathroom remodel is done out of necessity because of flooding or mold problems, but a lot of time it's for aesthetic reasons. Bathrooms seem to become outdated relatively quickly, and nothing will add a burst of energy to your home more than getting a new tub, shower or sinks and possibly even changing their locations in the existing bathroom.
Laying the Framework
If you plan to keep the fixtures during your bathroom remodel in their current locations, you may be able to leave the pipes and plumbing elements where they are. However, if you want to change things around, you'll need to have a licensed plumber come in and lay down the new pipes, tying them into the existing plumbing system. If your bathroom hasn't been updated for decades, you'll want a plumber to look and possibly replace piping whether the fixtures are being moved or not. Give us a call today to figure out what type of bathroom remodel in Soquel, Santa Cruz, and San Rafael, CA will work for you!
Shifting Sense of Style
When you embark on a bathroom renovation, your designer and plumber should be working together to make sure the style and practical elements are in line with one another. People's style tastes change, and updating your bathroom is great, but if the design element doesn't let your toilet or shower function effectively, it's not going to work. Most plumbers are highly skilled at accommodating a designer's requests, so don't be shy to ask if your vision is possible.
What Parts Should I Leave To the Pros?
It's not uncommon to find homeowners that want to do their bathroom remodel or renovation by themselves, and while this type of project can be a lot of fun, it has its share of risks. It is important that you follow the building code in your area when adding new fixtures or changing the plumbing configuration. It's also important to install the fixtures correctly to avoid any leakage and subsequent mold growth. If the DIY approach excites you, stick to painting, laying floors and adding to the design concept and leave the plumbing to professionals.
When it's time to fix up and do your bathroom remodel, it makes sense to call experienced technicians that know what they are doing. Call Bellows Plumbing, Heating & Air at 831-244-6718 for immediate services for bathroom renovations or bathroom remodel in Soquel, Santa Cruz, and San Rafael, CA. We will make your vision a reality.


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Our mission is to protect amphibian populations and the habitats in which they live, and to create a society that respects, enjoys and pr... Read more
Our mission is to protect amphibian populations and the habitats in which they live, and to create a society that respects, enjoys and protects nature and wildlife.
SAVE THE FROGS! is an international team of scientists, educators, policymakers and naturalists dedicated to protecting the world's amphibian species: the frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians.
The amphibian extinction crisis is one of the most serious environmental issues of the 21st century, and thus SAVE THE FROGS! takes a multi-faceted approach towards protecting remaining amphibian populations.
Specifically, we:
(1) Conduct and fund scientific research that directly benefits amphibians;
(2) defend amphibians' legal rights;
(3) lobby for the creation of new laws, for instance to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and to ban harmful pesticides;
(4) protect land in areas of high amphibian biodiversity, and areas where critically endangered species are under immediate threat;
(5) improve environmental education in schools and increase the public's awareness of environmental issues to ensure that amphibian conservation becomes (and remains) a top priority for current and future generations.
Please visit our website http://savethefrogs.com to sign up for our free newsletter and find out ways you can help.
1. Frog populations have been rapidly declining worldwide, and nearly one-third of the world's 6,485 amphibian species are threatened with extinction.
2. At least 150 frog species have completely disappeared since 1980, and this is NOT normal.
3. Unless we act quickly, amphibian species will continue to disappear, resulting in irreversible consequences to Earth's ecosystems and to humans.
4. It's up to YOU to SAVE THE FROGS!


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- Research
- Open Access
Alterations in intracellular potassium concentration by HIV-1 and SIV Nef
© Choi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2008
- Received: 05 May 2008
- Accepted: 19 May 2008
- Published: 19 May 2008
HIV-1 mediated perturbation of the plasma membrane can produce an alteration in the transmembrane gradients of cations and other small molecules leading to cell death. Several HIV-1 proteins have been shown to perturb membrane permeability and ion transport. Xenopus laevis oocytes have few functional endogenous ion channels, and have proven useful as a system to examine direct effects of exogenously added proteins on ion transport.
HIV-1 Nef induces alterations in the intracellular potassium concentration in CD4+ T-lymphoblastoid cells, but not intracellular pH. Two electrode voltage-clamp recording was used to determine that Nef did not form ion channel-like pores in Xenopus oocytes.
These results suggest that HIV-1 Nef regulates intracellular ion concentrations indirectly, and may interact with membrane proteins such as ion channels to modify their electrical properties.
- Xenopus Oocyte
- Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
- Xenopus Laevis Oocyte
- Human Glial Cell
- Intracellular Potassium Concentration
During primary infection by HIV-1 or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) there is a rapid and nearly complete depletion of the mucosal CD4+ T cell population [1]. This initial phase is followed by a prolonged phase in which there is a gradual decline in the overall numbers of peripheral CD4+ T cells, which appears to reflect accelerated rates of cell death and replacement [2]. Direct HIV-1 mediated cell killing appears to be a major factor in both phases of CD4+ T-lymphocyte loss in AIDS or simian AIDS (SAIDS), although immune dysregulation and other factors also contribute [3, 4]. Homostatic mechanisms attempting to replenish the CD4+ T cell pool eventually fail, leading to collapse of the naïve T cell regenerative potential and ultimately to immune system collapse [5]. Direct cytopathic effects mediated by HIV-1 or virion components may also be involved in other aspects of lentivirus pathogenesis, such as the induction of neurological dysfunctions [4, 6, 7]. HIV-1 mediated perturbation of the cellular membranes can produce an alteration in the transmembrane gradients of cations and other small molecules leading to cell death by lysis, cell-cell fusion, apoptosis and necrosis [8–10]. Acute cytopathic infection by HIV-1 increases the intracellular concentrations of sodium and potassium, but decreases intracellular pH [3, 11, 12]. Several HIV-1 proteins alter cellular electrophysiological properties. Vpr causes a large inward current and cell death in cultured hippocampal neurons [13]. Vpu forms cationic channels [14] and induces a K+ conductance in Xenopus oocytes [15], while Tat blocks L-type Ca2+ channels in dendritic cells [16]. The surface glycoprotein (SU) of HIV-1 activates the Na+/H+ antiport and K+ conductance in astrocytes [17]. The lentivirus lytic peptide domains of the HIV and SIV transmembrane glycoprotein (TM) also alter the permeability of cell membranes [18, 19].
HIV-1 Nef is encoded by an open reading frame located at the 3' end of the viral genome, partially overlapping the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) and conserved in all strains of HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV. This protein is synthesized in every stage of the viral replication cycle, and is associated with cellular membranes via an N-terminal myristic acid [20, 21]. Nef is an important regulator in the development of AIDS pathology. It down-regulates both the surface expression of CD4, the primary receptor for HIV-1 in T lymphocytes and macrophages [22], and MHC class I molecules [23]. Nef also enhances viral infectivity during the process of virion assembly and upregulates viral replication both in cell culture and in animal systems [20, 24]. Nef inhibits a large-conductance potassium channel in human glial cells [7]. This study was undertaken to further investigate the possible role of Nef protein in HIV-mediated membrane modification using recombinant HIV-1 and SIV Nef proteins and Xenopus oocytes, a well-characterized system to evaluate effects of exogenously added proteins on ion transport.
Alteration of intracellular potassium concentrations by recombinant Nef
Recombinant Nef does not alter transmembrane currents of Xenopus laevis oocytes
The results presented here add to previous studies suggesting that alteration of membrane ion transport and permeability are important mechanisms for HIV-1 cytopathogenesis. The intracellular K+ concentration is reduced in T-lymphoblastoid cells in the presence of exogenously added Nef. This alteration is selective, since intracellular pH was unaffected. Potassium channels are among the primary machinery mediating ion homeostasis in human lymphocytes. Therefore, modulation of intracellular K+ concentration by Nef may be involved in HIV-1 mediated cytopathogenesis. Previously, soluble Nef was shown to be cytostatic and cytotoxic against both CD4+ T cells and monocytoid cell lines [25].
Several viral proteins, including influenza A virus M2, influenza B virus NB, HIV-1 Env, Vpu, and Vpr, induce alterations in cellular membrane permeability or ion transport [26]. The classic example of a virally-encoded ion channel (viroporin) is the M2 protein of influenza virus, which forms a well-characterized proton channel and is also a target for an important class of anti-influenza drugs [27]. HIV-1 Vpu structurally resembles M2 and forms a pH-independent ion channel in lipid bilayers [28]. Vpr also appears to have ion channel like properties [13]. The LLP domains of HIV TM also have the capacity to interact with membranes and alter permeability [18, 29]. In contrast to these other HIV-1 proteins, Nef does not appear to directly modify permeability or form an ion-channel-like structure. Rather, Nef may interact with ion channels and modify their electrical properties. Previous studies by Kort and others are consistent with this hypothesis. Nef has been demonstrated to inhibit a large-conductance potassium channel in human glial cells and to inhibit the activity of a Ca2+ -dependent K+ channel in a T lymphocyte cell line [7]. The structural similarity of Nef to snake neurotoxins is additional evidence for the role of Nef in ion channel modulation, and is suggestive of a role of Nef in AIDS-associated neuropathologies [30]. Snake neurotoxins are known to interact with ion channels. Direct effects of Nef on cell membranes are not excluded by our studies. Indeed, Nef has also been shown to cause perturbation and fusion of artificial membranes and lysis of human lymphocytes and red blood cells [31]. It has been observed that exogenous Nef causes cell death in yeast and bacterial cell due to permeabilization of the cell membranes [32].
This effect of Nef proteins shown in this study requires the presence of the protein extracellularly. This could be achieved by lysis of HIV-infected cells in patients. Antibodies against Nef have been detected in HIV-infected individuals [33], suggesting the extracellular presence of Nef in vivo. The concentrations of Nef used in the current experiments are likely to be physiologically relevant. A high percentage of sera samples from HIV-1 positive individuals contained Nef at a concentration 5–10 ng/ml (approximately 0.2–0.4 nM) that was shown to be cytostatic [33]. This implies that effective Nef concentrations achieved locally in tissues where HIV-1 replicates, such as intestine, lymph node, and brain, prior to dilution in the vasculature might be several orders of magnitude higher consistent with concentrations (mid nM) shown here to affect [K+] in lymphoid cells.
The overall affect of HIV-1 infection on K+ transport is likely to be complex. Our previous studies indicated that during cytopathic infection intracellular [K+] increases [12, 34]. Furthermore, increased intracellular [K+] in infected cells enhances HIV-1 replication and accelerates cell killing, particularly the CPE described as "ballooning degeneration" [34]. Therefore, it is possible that Nef may function in a regulatory or compensatory role for ion fluxes mediated by other HIV-1 proteins.
Materials and methods
Cells, virus and recombinant proteins
Cells of the RH9 subclone of the CD4+ human T-lymphoblastoid cell line RH9 were the kind gift of Dr. Suraiya Rasheed (University of Southern California), and were maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum[6] (GIBCO, Long Island, NY), penicillin (100 U/ml) and streptomycin (100 μg/ml). Oocytes were removed from anesthetized Xenopus laevis, and prepared for electrophysiological evaluation as previously described [18]. All animal experiments were evaluated and approved by the Tulane University Health Sciences Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Recombinant HIV-1 and SIV Nef was obtained from the NIH AIDS Research & Reference Reagent Program.
Measurement of intracellular potassium and pH concentrations with fluorescent indicators
Potassium-binding benzofuran isophthalate-acetoxymethyl ester (PBFI-AM) was used for fluorometric determination of ion ceoncentrations in intact, living cells [12]. Intracellular pH in RH9 cells were measured using the pH-sensitive fluorescence dye 2'7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)- carboxyfluorescein-acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) [11]. The acetoxymethyl ester group linked to each dye renders the molecule uncharged and thereby able to permeate living cell membranes. Once inside the cell, the lipophilic blocking groups are cleaved by endogenous cellular esterases, resulting in a charge free acid that is unable to pass through the cell membrane. Upon binding by target ion, the excitation maximum of this fluorescent indicator shifts to shorter wavelengths, causing a large alteration in the ratio of energy absorbed. This induces a 2.5 fold enhancement of fluorescent intensity with little change in the emission maximum. After adding PBFI- AM or BCECF-AM at final concentration of 10 μM or μM, cells were incubated for 2 hours or 30 min, respectively. Cells labeled with PBFI or BCECF were plated into 96-well Fluoricon GF assay plate (10,000 cells per well) fitted with a glass fiber filter (1.0 μm pore size), and washed three times. The FCA allows vacuuming of solutions through the well thereby concentrating cells at the bottom. To prevent cells from clogging the filter membrane, inert polystyrene particles (3.3 μm diameter) were added to each well prior to addition of cells. PBFI and BCECF fluorescence intensity were determined with the photomultiplier gain set at 100. 8 replicates were quantified for each sample. Microscopic analysis of cells loaded with fluorescent indicator of K+ was performed as previously described [11, 12].
Two-electrode voltage clamping
The whole-cell currents were measured with a GeneClamp 500 amplifier using two microelectrodes as previously described [25]. Currents in oocytes exposed to 300 nM recombinant Nef were determined by holding the membrane voltage to a set point of -20 mV, then changing the membrane voltage stepwise from -80 to +80 mV in 20 mV increments by 280- msec pulses with 60-msec prepulse at -80 mV and a 60 msec afterplus at -80 mV. Measurements were conducted within 30 sec of adding Nef to the circulating bath.
HIV-1 Nef induce alterations in the intracellular [K+] in CD4+ T-lymphoblastoid cells, but not intracellular pH. Nef proteins do not form ion channel-like pores in Xenopus oocytes and may regulate intracellular [K+] in CD4+ lymphocytes, and perhaps other cell types, by interacting with monovalent ion channels.
This research was supported by Public Health Service grants AI054238, AI054626 and AI068230 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Authors' Affiliations
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This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


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CARPE DIEM – seize the day!
Do not wait for something to happen tomorrow.
Seize the day, today!
The tendency is to think tomorrow has more promise than today.
That is faulty thinking!
Today is the day that someone thought would be so great.
You are living today in the day someone thought would be so great.
The promise of tomorrow is very unfulfilling because there is no guarantee.
Unless of course that promise is from the Almighty.
The promise of today is most fulfilling because it is in your hand.
You can do something about now right now!
Now is all you got.
Yesterday is gone, it is a cancelled checked.
Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is now!
This is today!
Today matters!
Because today matters!
We over exaggerate yesterday, we think it was better than it really was and it was not.
And we over estimate tomorrow, thinking it is going to be so great and so wonderful.
We over exaggerate and over estimate, and we underestimate today.
We underestimate today!
Now is all you got!
So take advantage of it!
What is it that you have been postponing that you could do right now?
Do it now!
Now is all that you have.
Take advantage of it!
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Ed Moran – So Brave, So Stalwart, So Lonely
Daily News Hockey writer, Ed Moran, is a man of courage, conviction, and valor. We need more Ed Moran's on the Philly sports scene. It can be lonely when you're the only writer who's right. It can be isolating when you're out there on an island, all by yourself, with nothing to get you back home except the exquisite knowledge that you're the only one who knows the truth, and has cojones enough to speak the truth. But our Ed is nothing if not determined, despite overwhelming evidence that he's a fool.
Ed Moran is the one and only Philly sportswriter to refer to the Flyer's Danny Briere as DANIEL. He is steadfast, if not supercilious, in his resolve. In his heart, he knows he's right. You are not going to sway Ed. The idiocy of his position as the one true believer that Danny prefers Daniel serves as a beacon of audaciousness to us all. All praise Ed Moran, a public servant of steely tenacity.
But, wait, let's pause to look at the Danny v. Daniel scorecard:
Philly sportswriters who refer to Briere as Danny:
Tim Panaccio
Ray Parrillo
Phil Sheridan
Rich Hofmann
Sam Donnellon
Les Bowen
Anthony J. SanFilippo
Jack McCaffery
And all other writers, well, almost.
Philly sportswriters who refer to Briere as Daniel:
Ed Moran
And if you want a real scoop, I can tell the world that Ed Moran prefers, no, insists, that he now be referred to as Eduardo. Here's to you, Eduardo, so right, so brave, so silly.
P.S. I can't believe I missed this. Our Eduardo refers to Vinny Prospal by his non-hockey name of Vaclav! Wow, that's so exciting and encouraging. O.E. (Our Eduardo) is not just a one trick pony. By Golly, O.E. is true to his core. Now I've done some research among Philly sports writers to see who calls Vinny "Vaclav" and who calls Vinny "Vinny." I've tabulated the results for all my fine readers and here they are:
Philly sportswriters who refer to Vaclav as Vinny:
Tim Panaccio
Ray Parrillo
Phil Sheridan
Rich Hofmann
Sam Donnellon
Les Bowen
Anthony J. SanFilippo
Jack McCaffery
Philly sportswriters who refer to Vaclav as "Vaclav":
Ed (call me Eduardo) Moran.
God bless you, Eduardo. Thank's to your steadfast persistence in pursuit of a higher truth, there is peace and harmony in our little corner of the planet.
Out of the Zu – Marc Zumoff is Wayoff
I was so thrilled when Marc Zumoff began announcing 76ers games. His was a fresh voice. He knew the game and he reported it with clarity, with just the right amount of enthusiasm. He brought the games alive. Zu was a joy.
As he settled in, I thought Zu was on a path to the greatness of Merrill Reese and Harry Kalas. There is a beauty to the way Reese and Kalas call a game. They clearly root root root for the good guys, but they tell a creditable story, while not getting in the way of that story. Yes, Zu was headed in that august direction, but sadly (and I AM sad about this) he has become a cliché-ridden bore. And worse, the clichés are of his own labored creation. Instead of reporting the game, he seems to be saying, "Hey everybody, look at me! Wait till you hear this one! Ain't I clever?"
Zumoff has coined so many catch phrases that he assaults the poor listener with what seems like scripted inserts. I mean Marv Albert has "Yes," and Dick Enberg has "Oh, my," but one catch phrase is not enough for Zu. No, Zumoff seems to have an endless supply of them. Now, when I watch a 76ers game on TV, I feel like I am under continuing attack with Marc's precious and predictable "Zumoffisms." Instead of reporting the game – which he once did so well – he postures and preens by churning out his stash of in-game clichés. He makes it painful to listen to the telecasts.
Here's a list of Zumoffisms, right off the top of my head:
takes him to the weight room
turning garbage into gold
mining for gold
lock all windows and doors
in among the trees
bust a move
heaves it down
double vision
Yes! or Yesss! or YESSSSSS! or OH, YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!
That's nine of them. I'll bet there are at least nine more.
If Zumoff could get back to making the game about the game, instead of about him, watching the 76ers on TV could become fun again. But for now, Zu is both predictable and heavy handed (heavy mouthed?). Sad to say, he's made himself more important than the game.
P.S. While we're on the subject of sports announcing, let me just say: Bob Salmi must go! His relentlessly preachy commentary is so tiring, so tedious. I'll bet you weren't aware of this little known fact: basketball was not invented by Dr. James Naismith, or even by Stephen A. Smith. No, it was Salmi. Just ask him.
Thanks, Bill Conlin, You're Too Kind
Now I know how it feels to be a "Teflonic," a member of the "Gang of Six,"
or the newly minted, "Gilbuckle."
Yes, I've been slammed by the over friendly Master, Bill Conlin. The Big Man, once a fireballing columnist, but now throwing slider speed slop out of the bullpen, who, upon receiving a complementary posting of my new blog, wrote this: "Took it, blocked it and now will never miss it. . ." Thanks, Big Man, makes me feel all warm and toasty.
Gary Matthews – Discharge the Sarge
So, let's begin. Let's begin with the most painful, grating, puerile announcing work ever to be foisted upon us fans. Of course, I'm referring to the horrid mutterings of Gary (The Sarge) Matthews, alleged color man for Phillies telecasts. Ordinarily, I'd demote the Sarge to Private, but his work is so bad, I have to drum him out of the service with a Dishonorable Discharge. Now that I think of it, Matthews pollutes the airwaves with a putrid stream, no, make that a river, of nasty discharges.
During yesterday's telecast (Phils v. Padres, Sunday, May 4th) I counted the number of times Matthews used his favorite crutch – "ACTUALLY." He actually used "actually" 14 (!) times in 3 innings. Just be thankful he isn't doing all 9 innings like last year. His "actually's" would total 42. Hard to believe, Harry.
But, wait, there's more. Matthews never seems to connect the beginning of a thought with a conclusion. He wanders all over the tortured outfield of his mind. And he doesn't simply have a grasp of the obvious, no, he has a choke hold. Get this: Referring to former pitcher Mike Krukow: "He's got a vineyard where they actually make wine out there." Brilliant. Or how about this juicy bit of reporting, referring to the Giants' Emmanuel Burriss scoring on a close play at the plate: "He actually got his foot in there and made it easy – not easy – for the umpire to see." Inane to the Nth.
What's a fan to do? I've tried muting Matthews, but that really doesn't work. So, sadly, I've given-up the Phils telecasts during Matthews' time – the 3rd through the 5th innings. I am, however, getting more (vin) yard work done while listening to the radio broadcast of the very adequate Scott Franske.
In parting, I would like to sing the Sarge outta here: na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye.
PC – Post's Coming: Rob Brooks – Phillies Director of Broadcasting, must follow Matthews out the door. Marc Zumoff and his clutch (crutch) of cliched announcing. Ed Moran gets it right – He's the only person in the 6th largest city in America to know that Danny Briere prefers to be called Daniel. Thank you, Eduardo!


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"Movie night" screenings at long-term care and senior living facilities are considered "public performances" that require a license, even if the facility rents or buys the films. The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) has forged a partnership with the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) to make the compliance process easier.
MPLC, a copyright licensing agency, is offering an Umbrella License to NAAP member-facilities for a discounted rate. Those who acquire the license will secure public performance rights to show films from more than 650 different studios and film producers without the need for further reporting.
The partnership makes sense, noted Sal Laudicina, president of the MPLC Licensing Division, in a press release about the deal. "In virtually all facilities, the activity professional is the person who organizes the movie event, and this agreement will provide the assurance of comprehensive copyright compliance."
MPLC, which handles film licensing at more than 250,000 facilities in the United States alone, has already partnered with other major long-term care member organizations, including LeadingAge, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living and the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals.
Read more about the motion picture licensing process for retirement and senior living communities.
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The Rendezvous
by Curt Truninger Out of Competition
Jackie works as a secretary for a law firm. She is secretly attracted to her colleague Michael, a charismatic but eccentric paralegal. Harbouring romantic feelings, she invites the lonely single for dinner at her apartment. During an intense evening, they share awkward secrets about their personal and professional lives, culminating in a surprise revelation that could shatter the intimacy that they both desperately have longed for.
- Genre: Drama
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- Subtitles: German
- Director: Curt Truninger
- Cast: Eva Birthistle, Tim Dutton, Myra Fried
- Screenplay: Tom Noonan, Margrit Ritzmann, Curt Truninger
- Cinematography: Barry Stone
- Producer: Margrit Ritzmann
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I'm emerging from craft fair prep to say hello for a bit! I have been creating a lot of burlap art lately and realized I haven't shared any photos in a long time.
This is a bit of an easy post for me, but hopefully you will enjoy looking at photos of my latest creations! ;) I've branched out a little for some of them, it's been fun. (You can read more details about that on my other blog here.)
Here they are:
These last two are in my shop on Etsy, just click on the photo to get to the listing.
I will be participating in the Holiday Arts + Crafts Open House at Red Square Yoga in Seattle, WA this coming Saturday afternoon (December 8, 12:30-6:30PM). I would LOVE to see you there if you're local (I'm so nervous, it's my first craft fair ever!!). There should be lots of beautiful handmade gifts for sale. Here's the flyer.
For timely updates on my business-y projects, you can "like" the Jenny Bartoy ~ Handmade Designs page on Facebook here. It takes me a while to share recent projects on Stumbles & Stitches sometimes.
What are you working on these days? Ornaments, gifts, decorations? Do you have tips for success at craft fairs? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!