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By somegeekintn [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
When it came to the top of teams who "lucked their way to success" last season, the topic that was most scrutinized by the hockey stats community was the Minnesota Wild's hot start. However, there was another team who probably fit that category a little better and that team was the Nashville Predators.
But wait, how can a team who finished the year second in the Central Division with 104 points and a +27 goal differential possibly "luck" their way into the post-season? While it might be harsh to say that their success was completely due to good fortune, it's hard not to get a little skeptical about their success when you see that they were the second worst team in the league at controlling even strength shot attempts in close game situations. Some eyebrows also begin to raise when you see that they had the third highest shooting percentage in the league during 5-on-5 play, a top 10 5-on-5 save percentage and the highest 5-on-4 shooting percentage in the league.
The Preds were able to ride a wave of high shooting percentage and great goaltending to the post-season but it's tough to believe that they will be able to have a similar run this season. Nashville already plays in the toughest division in the NHL and are significantly weaker on defense than they were last season with the loss of Ryan Suter.
Can the Predators overcome this loss along with their weak possession game and find their way back to the post-season?
A Brief Look at 2011-12
Before we go into previewing the upcoming season for the Preds (assuming there is a season…), let's take a look at what made them such a weak territorial team at even strength. They were not bad in this department in the two previous years and were even a borderline positive team in 2010-11 as early as two years ago. What caused such a decline?
When looking at their microstats and some of the roster changes that were made, most of it comes down to a lack of depth and some role changes that didn't turn out so well. Up front, the Preds lost both Joel Ward and Marcel Goc to free agency and while those are two replaceable players, they are each very solid defensive forwards and Ward played a very big role on the Preds' checking line before he left for Washington.
An asterik indicates that this player was not on the team for the entire year.
One of the reasons why the Preds were able to be a decent team at even strength this year is because they had guys like Ward, Erat, Goc and Legwand who could take tough draws and manage to come out relatively unscathed despite that. At first glance, it might be easy to say that these two were replaceable, especially with Nashville having a lot of forwards at their disposal and while that might be true, things didn't quite work out as planned.
To make up for Ward leaving, the Preds gave Mike Fisher, Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn the majority of tough assignments and you can easily there here that none of them were up to it. All there were able to turn in decent season going by their boxcar numbers but it's hard to deny that they were run over at even strength. This was the case for most of the Preds forwards, though as only a few were able to keep their heads above water when it came to winning the shot battle, and only two of them were on the team for the entire season.
It also didn't help that their defense could be summed up as "Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and everyone else" and while that might not sound like a problem since Suter & Weber are two elite defensemen, the Preds had very little depth on their blue line. There is no doubt that this affected their ability to control possession because aside from those two and Ryan Ellis, just about everyone on the Preds blue line was getting mauled during even strength play.
Yet, despite all of these issues, the Preds managed to have a great season and make it all the way to the conference semi-finals for the second year in a row. Expectations are high in Nashville but if the Preds continue to be powered by high shooting & save percentages while getting hammered at even strength, making the playoffs could be very difficult.
Life Without Suter
By Dan4th Nicholas from Cambridge, MA, USA (20100206 Ryan Suter-1 Uploaded by Spyder_Monkey) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Nashville was able to get Shea Weber locked up by way of an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers but they still lost the other half of their top defense pairing with Ryan Suter signing a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. The good news is that the Preds still have one of the best defensemen on the league on their roster but replacing Suter will be no easy task.
Weber is obviously good enough to handle the majority of the tough assignments on Nashville's blue-line but Suter played just as many minutes at even strength, on the powerplay and on the PK as Weber did and there really isn't anyone else on their roster who can take over the minutes and workload that Suter left behind. The enormous drop-off in time on ice per game after Suter & Weber should indicate that.
Some good news for Nashville is that they have quite a few young defensemen in their system and most of them are NHL-ready. Between Jonathan Blum, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm and Roman Josi, the future of the Preds blue-line should be in good hands but things could get very ugly in the short-term. Defensemen usually take quite some time to develop and there are going to be some growing pains with most of these players. Both Josi and Blum went through that last season as both struggled mightily to keep the puck out of their own zone. Blum ended the year in the minors while Josi managed to be a +1 thanks to the Preds goalies stopping .930 of the 5-on-5 shots they faced when he was on the ice.
Ekholm and Ellis could be the x-factors for the defense because both are very talented and not much is known about their NHL ability. Ekholm has only two games of NHL experience but he was very good in the Swedish Elite League for the last two years and could turn out into a solid NHL defenseman. Ellis has 32 games of NHL experience and played well in a sheltered role with the Preds last year. More is going to be expected from him this year, though since the loss of Suter is going to increase the workload for everyone in the defense. Ellis was a star in junior hockey, though and he has the most potential out of anyone on the Preds blue-line outside of Weber. It will be interesting to see how these two perform.
The rest of Nashville's defense corps consists of Kevin Klein, Scott Hannan and Hal Gill, veterans who are probably borderline 3/4 guys at best. Klein is the most relied on of the group as he played over 17 minutes a game at even strength last year and was one of their regular penalty killers, but his game at even strength has its holes. He was beaten pretty badly when it came to controlling shots but also started nearly 60% of his shifts in the defensive zone, which may have contributed to his struggles. Regardless, I could see him as the one who is initially promoted to the first pairing to replace Suter since he has the most experience in the defense. I'm not sure if Gill can handle those minutes and Hannan's play with the Flames last year showed that his days as a top-four guy are numbered. Klein isn't an ideal top-pairing defenseman but unless one of the young players steps up, he could be forced into that role.
Weber is good enough to elevate the play of his defense partner, so the Preds top defense pairing could be in good shape. After that, however, things will get dicey.
Scoring by Committee
By Resolute (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
One thing that's remained consistent with the Preds over the years is that they don't have one big offensive threat and usually rely on a group of players to provide scoring. Last season, they had seven forwards who scored at a top-six rate (1.8 even strength points per 60 minutes or higher) and a couple others who came pretty close to that mark. The only player in the group leaving is Andrei Kostitsyn and he wasn't on the team for the entire year, the Preds forward corps should be in good shape, right?
Not necessarily.
Many of Nashville's top scorers at even strength were getting the benefit of some high shooting percentages and weren't doing much to drive the play on top of that. Matt Halischuk, Martin Erat, Mike Fisher and Sergei Kostitsyn are the guiltiest parties here. Let's just say that it's going to be tough for them to continue to score on over 16% of the 5-on-5 shots they take for a second year in a row. It's going to be even more difficult for Nashville to score on over 10% of their 5-on-5 shots while they are on the ice. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's very unlikely for the Preds to continue to have this kind of shooting luck.
With the exception of Hornqvist and Legwand, Nashville's forwards are going to need to be much better at controlling the shot battle than they were last season if they want to maintain their scoring depth. If Erat, Kostitsyn and Fisher still struggle to win the battle at even strength and see their shooting percentages decline, then the Predators might want to look at giving these three an easier role while returning the heavy-lifting duties to David Legwand's line. They might also turn to some of their younger depth forwards for scoring depth as players like Gabriel Bourque, Colin Wilson and Craig Smith who weren't beaten too badly in the territorial game last year and have a decent amount of potential.
Pekka Leads the Way
Rinne has been Nashville's starting goalie for the last four seasons and since that time, he has been able to give the Preds above-average to elite goaltending on a yearly basis. His .928 even strength save percentage last season was in the top-10 for starting goaltenders and one of the reasons why the Preds were able to get as far as they did.
Goaltender performance is essentially unpredictable but Nashville feels secure with Rinne in net and they indicated that last off-season by re-signing him to a seven-year contract worth $49 mil. When that decision was made, the general consensus was that Rinne would need to perform at an elite rate to be worth this contract. Something that he was able to do in 2010-11 thanks to a high PK save percentage that crashed back down to Earth this year.
Rinne is a very good goalie but if the Predators possession woes at even strength continue, he may need to repeat 2010-11 for this team to make the playoffs.
Between the questionable underlying numbers, unsustainable shooting percentages and high number of young defensemen in the mix, all signs seem to point towards the Predators having a down season. Things might change if they improve their game at even strength a little but there haven't been enough roster changes up for me to believe that will happen. Add in the fact that they are in a tough division and it's hard to see this team making another playoff run but they always seem to be in the mix no matter what they are going through. We'll see what happens.
Stats courtesy of Behind The Net & Time On Ice


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Hudson Institute's Center for Global Prosperity (CGP) announced the publication of its pilot study on Philanthropic Freedom, the first time that ease of giving has been fully measured in 13 countries across the globe. The pilot study and each of the detailed country reports can be downloaded for free here.
The new study fills a major gap in development policy and philanthropic research by surveying barriers and incentives to philanthropic giving in three main areas: the ease of registering and operating civil society organizations (CSOs); domestic tax policies for individual and corporate deductions, credits, and exemptions; and, the ease of sending and receiving cash and in-kind goods across borders.
Like the World Bank's Doing Business report and Freedom House's Freedom in the World report, this research is intended to help governments remove barriers and create incentives for growing philanthropy.
A distinguished panel conversed on the key factors that encourage and inhibit philanthropy and the important policy implications of this pilot study.

subset: commoncrawl


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This is surf filmmaker supreme Bruce Brown's first film: the story of five surfers on their dream trip to Hawaii, spending an entire winter living and surfing on the North Shore of Oahu on $100 a month.
Dale Velzy, Del Cannonn, Freddy PfahlerWatch Trailer
|This is surf filmmaker supreme Bruce Brown's first film: the story of five surfers on their dream trip to Hawaii, spending an entire winter living and surfing on the North Shore of Oahu on $100 a month. Try doing that today!
"It was the summer of 1958. I was a 20-year-old lifeguard in San Clemente, California, which to date is the only real job I've ever held. At nights I worked as a glorified janitor at Dale Velzy's surf shop. Occasionally, while I swept up, Dale would show an 8mm surf film I'd made while stationed on a submarine in Hawaii. He charged 25 cents, and on a big night we'd rake in as much as six dollars. Dale, however, being of of surfing's great characters, envisioned bigger and better things for me. We spent the summer negotiating about making a "real" (16mm surf film). He'd pay for it and I would make it. Eventually, Velzy put up $5,000 which was to include, among other things, camera equipment, 50 rolls of film, six plane tickets to Hawaii and my living expenses until the film was completed. I looked for some surfers who not only wanted a free plane ticket to Hawaii, but who could afford to pay their own expenses once there. I found Del Cannon, an old friend; Henry Ford and Freddy Pfhaler, two well-known surfers from the South Bay; Kemp Aaberg, a hot, up-and-comer; and Dick Thomas, who was the only one of us old enough to have an ID. We boarded the plane for the 12-hour flight to Hawaii, which gave me plenty of time to read my book, "How to Make a Movie." Remember, Slippery When Wet is 42 years old - it was my first film - I was only 20 years old - so gimme a break!" Bruce Brown
|Classic Surfing
|Dale Velzy, Del Cannonn, Freddy Pfahler, Henry Ford, Dick Thomas, Kemp Aaberg, Mike Diffenderfer, Gidget, Ricky Grigg, Bob Cooper, David "Dewey" Weber, John Richards, Jose Angel
|Bruce Brown
|Bruce Brown Films
|not rated
|Running Time
|1 hour 8 minutes
|Audio Language
|English | Stereo
|Download Resolution
|SD | 704x480 (808.67 MB)
|Streaming Resolution
|SD | 640x480
|Additional Features
|Chapter Markers
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Have you ever thought about Working as a PR practitioner in China? Through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2010 Expo in Shanghai, China has revealed itself as a growing economic power and an increasingly resourceful consumer market.
Nowadays, western business organizations are seizing the opportunities to establish relationships with Chinese corporations. In order to gain their share of the Chinese market, the organizations from the Western world perceive PR as an effective and crucial method to reach the consumers in China. With that being said, an increasing number of PR agencies started to land in major cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
While being excited about the huge career opportunities and potentials of working in China, there are some differences between the two kinds of industries that you should expect if you decide to take that path.
1. Expectations on professionalism: According to a research done by China International Public Relations Association (CIPRA), PR is one of the easiest career choices in China. "Everyone can do PR." that's what the Chinese professionals said. However, the Chinese culture values education like no one else, your degree in PR will definitely become a competitive advantage in the Chinese industry.
2. Reputation and Public Perception: The public's perception toward public relations as an industry in the U.S remains more negative than the public's perception in China. The reputational downward trend of the PR industry in China has been reversed by recently pronounced events such as the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai Expo. Through these events, the Chinese professional society began to realize the crucial role of PR in its' development. However, there are still negative perceptions that PR practitioners have to bear in China from time to time.
3. Relationship with the Government: When working in a Chinese agency, especially a domestic agency in China, the campaign that practitioners run for clients should accommodate with the Chinese government's ideology of "Harmonious Society". It is not as propagandized that the campaigns should include the actual idea or thoughts of the government, but the campaign should, at the least, not be conflicting with the ideology.
4. Ethical Issues: There are practices in China that are ethically-challenging to U.S. practitioners, especially for those who work in media relations. For instance, PR practitioners in China might: pay "transportation expenses" for the reporters in order to get them into a press conference; write press releases for their clients with the featured style of news stories at the reporters "convenience"; While members of the CIPRA are advocating for the inhibition of such practices, the practices remain common in the Chinese industry.
5. Different Approaches in Practices: Two-way symmetrical communication, an idea that is valued by the U.S. Scholars and Practitioners, is not really emphasized in the practices of Chinese PR. While practitioners in China value feedback from the public as well as the U.S. practitioners do, they prefer to send the perfect message to the public one time and one time only, what's been learned from the feedback will be applied to the next campaign instead of the current one.
These are only some of the salient differences between the Chinese and the U.S PR industry. Are there any comparisons you would like to add?


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|Performer Information
|Performer name:
|Rita Parisi
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Chemung County Library, NY, Northfield Library. Northfield MA, Russell Library, Middletown CT, Coventry Library, Coventry RI, Libby Library, Old Orchard Beach Maine
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|Victorian Courtship Tea
Performing Arts- Storytelling
How did young ladies and gentlemen become acquainted back in the 1890's? COURTSHIP of course! Courtship was a ritual in which romance, etiquette, and socializing played an essential part. Mrs. Gordon will recount how her husband courted her during the 1890's during afternoon tea. Appropriate for Teens & up; Great for Valentine's Day and Mother/Daughter Teas
|$351- $500
|1908 Tea
Performing Arts- Storytelling
In 1908, the world was on the cusp of change. The traditions of the Victorians were giving way to a modern way of thinking. The automobile, airplane, changes in fashion, entertainment, and social conventions were altering the lives of people forever. Mrs. Gordon, a middle-class housewife, will entertain you during her afternoon tea as she tells you stories that will illuminate life at the turn of the 20th century. Then everyone will have an opportunity to engage in an open discussion as she shares with you her latest issue of the Ladies Home Journal.
|$351- $500
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First let me say I was so excited to not only see Tim Gunn on the red carpet but you along with him! I must say I have missed you both since you are not apart of the Runway All-stars. Second let me say this isn't truly directed at you Nina, I still think you're top-notch, but I have been writing this blog post in my head way before the blog was a glint in cyber mama's eyes. As I was watching I was hanging on every word about your top 3 dressed list of the night so far; as I was eager to hear your point of view on fashion that wasn't crafted in less than 4 hours. Jessica Chastain topped your list. As you and Tim were discussing this look you said, and I quote, "It's that red hair..." Well, it's not actually an accessory piece -but okay, she has great hair, perhaps it looks especially nice with her dress. But then you went on to say, "redheads are really trending right now." {Insert the sound of a record backing up or scratching or whatever that sound is when someone says something and you go, What?!} Redheads are trending right now? Huh? Do groups of people "trend?" Well, perhaps they do in Hollywood, but I don't think it's appropriate to say out loud. And don't worry I am not totally directly relating this to a race issue, well okay, I will later, but right now, I am just saying... I can can relate to it as a race issue in ways...black women who are seemingly praised at times because they are successful and black. Or Latina women, like J lo who will always be the symbol of a perfect Latina...er, derriere. Or the Asian kids who are good at math or justifying all our products being made in China because they all have those little hands. Or how a Muslim woman who wears a hijab are simply slaves to misogynist religion and have no voice of their own. These stereo-types run the gamut of being out-right racist and being accepted stereo-types.
As a young girl I couldn't stand in a grocery line without the checker asking where I got my red hair from, which was always quite awkward considering I got it from my father, a man I had never met or known. Old ladies thought I was the cutest thing in the world; little boys hated me. I was called tomato head by mean classmates, which never made sense to me considering my hair wasn't actually the color of a tomato at all. Carrot maybe, but carrot top? No, carrot tops are actually green. As a teenager I was consistently asked (in all seriousness) if I could be asked a "personal question." Oh and did I always know what was coming next. Yep, something along the line of "does the carpet match the drapes." It was as though I held some magical answer that unlocked the universe. It's an odd place to find yourself in when you are constantly marginalized by your peers -then when they finally show a little interest in what you have to say it had to do with my pubic hair. Awkward.
As I got older I was often slapped on the shoulder by an old guy who heckled that he bet I was fiery just like his first wife "who had red hair too . . . and stabbed him with a fork." Or asked "Is true? Are redheads really good in bed?" I can't tell you how man times I have been told "I was pretty for a redhead." Or had some guy tell me he has a "thing for redheads" like I had come across a real stroke of luck. When in truth this declaration has always been a pretty good sign to excuse myself as quickly as possible from declarers company. I have been high fived by other redheads while walking down the street for sharing some form of the red hair gene. I have been screamed at numerous times from large pick up trucks who like to hoot and whistle from their cabin "fire in the hole." My first nickname was fire-crotch or "FC" for short. All my life I have wondered why is it such an appropriate and accepted form of stereo-typing? And I should be clear I do not compare this on a broad level to true hate speech or hate crimes as we see with homophobia or true racism, I am such saying it is a form of discrimination that continues to be accepted. Like, why do some sperm banks not accept male redheaded doners? Why in the movies are the meanest little boys always the ones with red hair and freckles? Having red hair seems to be the last great frontier of open and accepted stereo-types and derogatory comments, at least in America. "Ginger" is the newest one. This I will not be called - not by friend or foe. Perhaps it was because in my adult ignorance of self acceptance I didn't realize redheads were still being made fun of all the time... until I heard the word ... Ginger . Um hm, it came from a South Park episode in which cartman declared "gingervitis" was a disease (ok, so that is actually kind of funny). Anyway, this little 'haha' funny went on to cause some serious troubles for "gingers." In fact there was a movement of sorts which was forged on Facebook, not the good kind like we saw in Egypt, but the bad kind like "kick a ginger day" in which a day was declared to kick people with red hair. Yeah, I know, it's nuts! That actually is a hate crime.
I am different. Less than 1% of the worlds population has red hair. Good news is I personally don't see this as a negative. I think it's kind of neat, some people might call it unique. I love my red hair. I even love my freckles, (weird I know). But it's who I am. In fact not having my father around as a child but getting my hair from him and his side of the family made me feel more connected to my roots, my history, my ethnicity. I know I come from a line of peoples somewhere that shared these unique qualities. As his lineage could be traced back hundreds of years to Scotland. I loved feeling like I came from a "peoples" some where. And for the record, NO, REDHEADS ARE NOT GOING TO GO EXTINCT SOMEDAY. Geez. See what I have to deal with Nina? Do you know by how many strangers I am told that "my kind" are going extinct. Are we being hunted for our pelts? Did you know that there are Mexican Jews? Did you know there are Christians in Egypt? Did you know that there is red hair also found in Iran and Pakistan and Afghanistan?
But back to my burning question, why is there this strange dichotomy with red hair? It is unique and beautiful one second and witch like the next. Well, like all forms of discrimination it dates way, way back. Greeks believed that redheads turned to vampires when they died. Could this be why redheads are trending? Vampires sure are. Egyptians both dyed their hair red and yet many redheads were also burned to death. Having red hair, freckles and green eyes was enough during the times of witch hunts to burn you at the stake. I don't want to get all melodramatic on you here Nina, but saying redheads are "trending" right now, just kind of lit a fire under me, so maybe I am a little fiery? Or maybe I was burned at the stake in a past life and this just brings up my post traumatic stress disorder from a previous life. Perhaps I just don't like it when any race or any person/s are labeled and there is public acceptance of this. Maybe it was because as a young girl I imagined if I ever had children with red hair we would have finally moved passed being an accepted target for mean jokes and comments. But as an adult I see, and not just with your comment, but in general, this isn't true. Human difference is something to embrace, not to exploit. We are all one people with the same make-up just very minor variations. But for the record, Nina, I hope this redhead trend last a very, very long time so that little girls (and boys) with red hair can grow up to feel good about themselves. But let's just toss all kids into that mix. All the different kinds.


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Gynecological Complications in Women with HIV
December 1998
A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!
While gynecological (GYN) complications are but one area of concern for women with HIV, they are critically important because they are the most commonly reported condition of women living with HIV and AIDS. When evaluating HIV-associated GYN conditions and the provision of appropriate gynecological care, it is important to consider what GYN health reveals about the status of a woman's immune system.
What does it say about the health of a woman's immune system, for instance, when a common GYN condition like vaginal candidiasis becomes progressively more difficult to treat? What does the absence of an HIV infected woman's period (amenorrhea), a common menstrual abnormality in women with HIV, tell us about immune function? How does the marked increase in the rate and severity of cervical abnormalities experienced by women with HIV correspond to a weakening immune system? These are some of the questions that must help guide women and health care providers in the evaluation and treatment of GYN complications in women with HIV. These complications should also be considered in light of CD4+ cell count, an important marker of immune function. A chart of common GYN conditions and a flow chart of screening guidelines are presented below.
Common GYN Complications
Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections) is a fungal infection common in many women. It is the most common initial manifestation of HIV in women, and its prevalence increases as CD4+ cell counts decline. As immune suppression worsens, the primary location of the candida infection may shift from the vagina to the mouth (for more information on candidiasis, call our hotline and request the Candidiasis Fact Sheet). Recurring vaginal candidiasis is often associated with more rapid HIV disease progression.
Fortunately, there are several effective forms of treatment for vaginal candidiasis, including topical creams and suppositories such as clotrimazole (GyneLotrimin®) which are available over-the-counter and by prescription. If the candidiasis is unresponsive to such treatment, the antifungal drug fluconazole (Diflucan® ) may be necessary. For women not responding to fluconazole, the antifungal ketoconazole (Nizoral®) may be an effective alternative. Dietary modifications such as decreasing sugar intake or adding lactobacillus containing yogurt or acidophilus capsules may help prevent recurrences of candidiasis. Refraining from using bleach and fabric softeners when doing laundry might also be useful.
Several studies show that the sexually transmitted disease, herpes simplex virus (HSV) type II, may take an altered course in HIV-infected people. For instance, the painful sores in and around the genitals and/or anus caused by herpes tend to be more frequent, persistent and requiring of higher doses of treatment in people with HIV. HSV ulcers persisting for over 1 month are associated with severe immunosuppression and are considered an AIDS-defining illness. Acyclovir (Zovirax®), an oral pill, is most commonly used to treat genital herpes. For women with frequent HSV outbreaks, acyclovir may be helpful in preventing future outbreaks.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) represents a range of inflammatory disorders of the upper genital tract, including fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries and, in advanced stages, abdominal lining. Common symptoms of such inflammation involve chronic, moderate-to-severe pain, tenderness in the abdomen, irregular menstrual cycles, non-menstrual bleeding and painful and frequent urination. Like other gynecological conditions, PID appears to be more prevalent, severe and resistant to treatment among women with HIV, and especially women with AIDS. Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics for treating PID in women with HIV. Studies indicate that relapse of PID occurs more often in women with impaired immunity.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease which primarily affects the cervix, plays a primary role in the development of cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells) and cancer of the cervix in women. Recent studies have demonstrated that women with HIV, particularly those with low CD4+ cell counts, have an increased frequency and severity of HPV-related cervical dysplasia. The outcome for HIV-positive women with cervical cancer, the most severe form of cervical dysplasia and an AIDS-defining illness, is much worse than for women without HIV. However, if detected early, less severe grades of dysplasia (CIN I or II) are fairly easily treated, stressing the need for regular and timely screening.
If symptoms occur, they often include multiple small warts on the vagina or around the anus. Multiple types of therapy are available. However, recent studies caution against the use of one common treatment option called cryotherapy, which involves freezing the wart. Cryotherapy can cause normal tissue to heal over deeper areas of dysplasia, causing future genital screenings to appear normal while abnormal tissue grows undetected underneath. Anecdotal reports also indicate that the aftermath of cryotherapy can be extremely painful.
Given that women with HIV have higher rates and generally more severe cases of GYN complications, it is important to screen frequently and regularly. Screening is normally done with one of two diagnostic tools, the Pap smear and/or colposcopy.
The ability of Pap smears to adequately screen for cervical cancer in women with HIV is currently under debate. Studies have shown that 15-30% of Pap smears that are considered normal are, upon subsequent colposcopy and biopsy, found to be "false-negative." In other words, abnormal pre-cancerous cell growth passed undetected during the Pap test. The problem of false-negative Pap smears has lead some health care providers to suggest colposcopy plus biopsy as a more accurate screening procedure, particularly among HIV-positive women where early detection is most critical.
Still, colposcopy has drawbacks of its own. Not only does it require management by a specialist, colposcopy is often accompanied by a biopsy and can be a painful experience with some risk of infection and bleeding. At this point, it is difficult to say whether or not colposcopy screening is a necessary routine screening procedure for HIV-positive women without signs of an abnormal Pap smear. A promising new screening tool called Pap Plus Speculoscopy (PPS) has recently gained FDA approval. It is almost as sensitive as a colposcopy plus biopsy, is less invasive and painful and does not require a specialist.
Many of the GYN complications HIV-positive women experience also affect women who are not living with HIV. The same conditions tend to occur more frequently, are more serious and more difficult to treat in women with a compromised immune system. At the same time, GYN complications further compromise the immune system. Consequently, it is very important that GYN complications be diagnosed, monitored and treated under the guidance of a health care provider.
For more complete information, call Project Inform's National HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline and request the Gynecological Conditions in Women with HIV Fact Sheet.
Common GYN Complications in Women with HIV/AIDS
This table is a partial listing of complications. For complete information, Call Project Inform's National Treatment Hotline at 800-822-7422 and request the GYN Conditions in Women with HIV Fact Sheet.
GYN Screening Guidelines
As follow-up after any treatment for dysplasia, have a Pap smear at three months.
If no history of abnormal Pap or treatment in 12 months, have a Pap smear at three months.
If there's a history of abnormal Pap or colposcopy in past 12 months, have a Pap smear at three months.
A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!
This article was provided by Project Inform. It is a part of the publication Project Inform Perspective. Visit Project Inform's website to find out more about their activities, publications and services.


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(Click the image to go to the shop.)
Okay, on with the pretties...
Hi Rhiannon!
Thank you for participating in the blog hop! Wishing you much success in your bloggy endeavors! New follower:)
Thanks for the sweet comment..I'm a new follower! Congrats on opening your new etsy shop!! I love etsy!!!!ReplyDelete
Loving your blog! Those letter cards are awesome! Now following! Feel free to check out my blog and follow back. :)
Found you on Blissful and Domestic. These sweets look amazing!!! Anxious to look around your blog. Happy HUMP day!!!!ReplyDelete
I love those letter cards. That cookie pouch (is that what its called?) looks very creative.
Stop by my blog? I'm not a craft blogger, hehe.
CONGRATS on opening your Etsy shop. Your letter art is beautiful! How exciting!
I'm stopping by via the blog hop. It's so nice to meet you :) I'm a new follower.
Lots of love,
That card idea is wonderful. I have those little letter stampers. Thanks for the idea. I'm glad I found you on Thirty Handmade Days.ReplyDelete
Congrats on the Etsy shop! I still haven't gotten the courage to open one up yet. Those cards are darling! Thanks for sharing at Thursday's Temptation.


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Here's a list of Boeing 's 10 largest customers before this week's Dubai Airshow, ranked by aircraft orders still to be delivered. Four U.S. carriers, two leasing companies, two low-cost specialists and a reminder that Turkish Airlines is quietly emulating the Persian Gulf trio of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.
Lionair 314
American Airlines 238
United Airlines 225
Air Lease Corp. 207
Ryanair 175
Gecas 142
Delta Air Lines 114
Turkish Airlines 105
Source: Boeing


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I don't think this one was by Sheilah Beckett, though. In fact, I don't recognize this style at all... but I sure like it!
This might be a good time to remind visitors to check out my Ads with Cartoon Elements Flickr set. With nearly 54,000 views, its by far my most popular set. Go have a look and... enjoy!
Celebrating illustration, design, cartoon and comic art of the mid-20th century.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
One More from Whitman's
4 comments:
It puts a smile on my face just looking at it Frankly, who cares who did it. It's another great 20th century bit of art.ReplyDelete
Hah, well I'm certainly glad you enjoyed the piece and said so, Chuck. For the record, I care who did it because I have this strange obsession with unravelling the history of the mid-century Illustration industry... hopefully I'm not the only one who's reading the results of my ongoing research that gets posted on this blog! ;^)ReplyDelete
Leif, we all count on your strange obsession!ReplyDelete
Lief I showed my mother the picture and she says she did do it.ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text: Sydney - Former great Ian Chappell said Thursday that Australia need key all-rounder Shane Watson for the second Test against South Africa, dismissing as "ridiculous" suggestions he was not a top-six batsman.Watson sat out the first Gabba Test with a calf injury and is no certainty for next week's match-up with the world number one Proteas, with selectors warning that an inability to bowl would count significantly against him.The Australians came out of the first of three Tests with an edge over the South Africans in the drawn game. But they must win the series to wrest the world number one ranking from their rivals.VIDEO: Australia v South Africa, first Test highlightsChappell, a former Test captain and top-order batsman, said Watson should make the cut regardless of whether he can bowl."If I'm a selector picking the Australia XI and Shane Watson is not in the best six batsmen, I've been watching a different game," Chappell told the Australian Associated Press Thursday."If Watson is fit to play and they don't pick him as a batsman, I find that strange. He has proven himself as a batsman."Chappell said omitting Watson, prolific for Australia with both bat and ball in all formats recently, could leave the team exposed to a strong South African pace attack. The first three wickets fell cheaply in Brisbane.Australia's top three of Ed Cowan, David Warner and Watson's replacement at the Gabba Rob Quiney only have 19 Test caps between them and Chappell said Watson's 35-cap experience could prove vital to fending off the Proteas."Australia have taken a strong psychological edge away from the first Test, but South Africa can turn that around with their bowling," said Chappell."If Shane can't bowl, that is not the major consideration," he added. "You want to pick the best team to give you the best chance to win the game and that means Shane Watson should be there, whether he can bowl or not."Warner also threw his support behind Watson."Just having him in the team, the class of player he is, brings a lot of experience to the team," Warner told reporters.


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Zoe Saldana goes green for 'Guardians'
SAN DIEGO (AP) — How many more colors can Zoe Saldana be on the big screen?
"Well, the rainbow has a lot of colors," Saldana said in an interview at Comic-Con, laughing. "I dig it. I like being in space. I get to play less girlfriends, more female parts, more women. So I find it meaty."
The actress portrays green-skinned alien Gamora in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" after going blue in James Cameron's "Avatar," a role she's expected to return to for sequels. And she recently reprised her other space-bound character, Uhura, in JJ Abrams' "Star Trek Into Darkness."
"It's a testament to how creative the people that conceive supernatural and science-fiction kind of stories," Saldana, 35, said of her love for the genre. "They're able to build something out of nothing by just imagining it. I have a huge fascination with that. Filmmakers like JJ, like ("Guardians" director) James (Gunn), like James Cameron. ... You need to be really, really special to do that. So I like being with special people."
Chris Pratt is among Saldana's co-stars in "Guardians," which had been filming for just a few weeks in the U.K. before its actors dropped in to show fans footage at Comic-Con.
Pratt plays Peter Quill, an interplanetary gunslinger known as Star-Lord who assembles a team of aliens to do battle. His character's wit and rebellious spirit has been compared to another planet-hopper, Han Solo of "Star Wars."
"You can make the comparison, that's for sure," Pratt said, acknowledging that like "Star Wars," ″Guardians" — set for release next summer — is "a big space opera."
Saldana was more emphatic: "It's an awesome comparison. Are you kidding me? Harrison Ford!"
But Pratt, 34, said he has more pressing concerns as he returns to the set.
"I just feel like, I'm hoping every day that they're not going to fire me," he said. "I'm like, 'So you saw dailies yesterday and I still have my job?' They say 'Yeah!' So for now I do."
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson at http://www.twitter.com/ryanwrd .


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It's going to be a long time before we have a game pre season or otherwise, I am already sick of all these experts and media Knob Slobbering over us hoping to be able to say they were right when the season ends. All or most over the last few years calling our team, players and coaches wanna be's, failures, reaches, etc.
Whats worse is how so many on the board are rolling in the spewing that has come out of their mouth, as football fans in general we should know by now that all these people Knob Jobbing us now will bring out the daggers and fire and brimstone the second they have a opportunity.
Not a damn thing they say means a lick of anything if we don't look at each game as it's own war, every team in the league wants them to shut up about us and will do their best to do that, we have a NEON green target painted on our backs now, not just for what Sherman does since he is more replieing to things said, but what all the experts are saying. Teams are going to give us that extra shot or shove, with the how ya like that attitude prima donnas.
This is a position we can exploit or that can be used to exploit us from reading to many headlines, doing to many interviews, losing focus and having a game is won before we take the feild attitude, that leads to embarassing defeats and loss of momentum that we have built up the last few years.
Playing with a lead in not only a game but in opinions isn't something we have much expereince at as a team, Pete has in USC but this isn't USC, I trust Pete has a method here to work thru this, but will it be timely?


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April 12, 2018
This year marks two very important anniversaries in the UK. It is 70 years since the inception of the NHS and 40 years since the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first child conceived through IVF.
The 40 Years of Hope Inaugural Charity Ball will take place at Café de Paris in London on Thursday 1st November 2018. Forming part of National Fertility Awareness Week, we will be bringing together the fertility community toacknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements within the fertility Industry whilst raising money to support patients.
This glamorous industry evening is being hosted by Jessica Hepburn and will include a champagne reception, 3 course meal, after dinner entertainment and a charity auction which will feature some special and unique prizes.
Also at the 40 Years of Hope Inaugural Charity Ball,The Fertility Foundation's Annual Fertility Awards (The Fertility Awards) will be launched. The Fertility Awards willrecogniseindividual clinicians and scientists; outstanding patient support offered by clinics; products which help those experiencing fertility issues and individuals who have championed the raising of awareness of the growing incidences of fertility.
Whether you are looking for an exclusive way to entertain clients, a special night out with your team or would like to showcase your brand via sponsorship or product placement, The Fertility Foundation's 40 Years of Hope Inaugural Ball has a package to suit your needs and your budget:
The Fertility Foundation () has been set up to raise money which couples and individuals can apply for to help cover the costs towards their fertility treatment. Monies are raised through the fertility industry itself and it is hoped this will increase access to fertility treatment for those who currently find it prohibitive.
Notes to editors
About The Fertility Foundation: Launched in September 2017 to provide financial grants for IVF treatment, emotional support and practical advice to anyone who wants to start or extend their family. It is estimated that in the UK alone 1 in 6 will be affected by infertility, that is some 3.5 million people. This means that it is very likely that one of our friends, family or work colleagues will have experienced infertility issues.
Images available on request.
Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. This Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact support [at] perpetualwire.com.


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New York, NY (PRWEB) July 11, 2013
More than 20 social development ministers from Latin America gathered at the United Nations headquarters today to discuss how to move beyond poverty reduction to further reduce inequality and address demands from the region's rising middle class, such as better public services and more accountability.
Opening the Sixth Ministerial Forum for Development, a two-day meeting organized annually by UN Development Program (UNDP), Harvard University competitiveness expert Michael Porter, stressed that local businesses and multinational companies play a crucial role in further alleviating poverty and reducing inequality in Latin America if they offer goods and services that create profit while also boosting social and economic growth.
UNDP Administrator Helen Clark praised Latin America's success in lifting millions out of poverty, also recognizing governments' efforts to make decision-making more transparent and responsive.
"Protests and events around the world remind us that citizens want a greater say in the decisions which impact on their lives," she said. "Along with the movement out of poverty, people's expectations of being heard, engaged, and having accessible and quality public service have grown."
"The challenge is to enhance institutions so they can respond to a new level of high intensity citizenship," added Heraldo Muñoz, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "Many of the street protests in Latin America are sparked by a new middle class, increasingly indebted, who aspire for more and demand quality public services and decent treatment."
To shed light on risks surrounding the new middle class in Latin America and to help map inequality in the region, Chile's former Minister of Planning Clarisa Hardy presented a new UNDP-commissioned study which shows that 38 percent of Latin Americans are in a vulnerable situation, living on $4-10/day. They risk falling back into poverty particularly because of the quality of education, lack of access to basic health services and poor working conditions.
The new report groups Latin American countries in terms of percentage of people in the middle class (living on US$10-40/day) and living in poverty (less than $4/day)—and extreme poverty (less than $2.5/day). Uruguay, Argentina and Chile rank as the countries with the proportionately lowest levels of poverty and the largest middle class. Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador are characterized by a proportionately medium-sized poor population and an emerging middle class. Finally, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Peru and El Salvador struggle with high levels of poverty and a proportionately weak middle class.
Overall, more than 30 percent of Latin Americans live under $4 a day with 16 percent of the population living under extreme poverty (less than $2.5 a day), according to the UNDP study. Only 2 percent of the population is classified as part of the upper class (living on more than $50 a day), and nearly 30 percent are part of the middle class (living on $10-50 a day).
Even though inequality has declined, 10 of the 15 most unequal countries in the world are in Latin America, according to UNDP figures. Yet, progress is visible: in 16 of 17 countries, income inequality has reduced over the past 10 years.
This is in large part due to the fact that Latin America is a worldwide leader in social programs that give financial aid to people living in poverty on the condition that their children stay in school and have regular medical checkups, including routine immunization. In addition to economic growth in the past decade, these schemes are among the principal means of poverty reduction for 18 countries in the region.


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A dangerous coating of ice on the NOAA Ship MILLER FREEMAN. Such icing can
affect a ship's stability and cause capsizing.
Image ID: ship0720, NOAA's Fleet Then and Now - Sailing for Science Collection
Location: Alaska, Bering Sea
Credit: NOAA NMAO Pacific Marine Center
• High Resolution Photo Available
of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric
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Last Updated:
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His finalist year: 1970
His finalist project: Looking at properties of equations with four-dimensional variables
What led to the project: Joe Buff had two big interests as a kid: math and the U.S. Navy. He taught himself calculus in junior high school and his father, a former Seabee (the U.S. Navy's construction division), told him stories of ships and subs.
When Buff was 11, however, his parents divorced and his father did not play a big role in his life after that. He wound up living with his mother and five siblings in a one-bathroom winterized beach bungalow in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, N.Y., and turned to reading math books as a way to take his mind off the situation.
His teachers at Far Rockaway High School (also the alma mater of Bernie Madoff and Carl Icahn) nurtured his interests, and at age 15 he undertook a project that he called "Extension of Cauchy-Reimann and LaPlace Equations to Analytic Functions of a Quarternion Variable"—which characterized some of the mathematical properties of differentiable functions (smooth operations) in a four-dimensional arithmetic system. "I think it's the sort of thing a math professor could have figured out in about 15 minutes," he says, but when he entered the paper in the 1970 Westinghouse Science Talent Search, he was named a finalist.
The effect on his career: Buff was accepted to New York University at 15 and graduated as a math major three years later. He then entered graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He enjoyed the classes, but realized that he was "not that interested in spending the rest of my life as a math professor."
So he left M.I.T. with a master's degree and looked at the private sector to find a job where his math skills might be of use. This was the beginning of a 20-year career as an actuary. This took him to a variety of places including the Guardian Life Insurance Company, Towers Perrin and, briefly, Merrill Lynch, which he calls his "last real job." He left there in 1997.
While at Towers Perrin, Buff had come up with an idea for a science fiction novel. Most busy actuaries would have dismissed this as a passing fancy, but Buff had some experience with the writing life; his wife, Sheila, is a medical writer who has collaborated on or ghost-written several best-selling books, including 2003's Atkins for Life. "My wife thought I was insane," Buff says. "She knew what it was like getting started."
Nevertheless, because he had a few months off between leaving Towers Perrin and starting at Merrill Lynch, he decided to write the book. "It had flaws," he says, and it has never been published. But it was good enough to land him a literary agent. After leaving Merrill Lynch he began writing nonfiction pieces about his old love: submarines. He decided to write a novel about them, as well, and in 2000, Bantam published Deep Sound Channel, a thriller about a war fought in the South Atlantic in 2011. Over the next five years, he cranked out five more novels, including Tidal Rip, which made the Barnes & Noble top 20 paperback bestsellers list.
Then, in 2005, Buff took time off to help care for Sheila, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is now in remission.
What he's doing now: Buff is back at work on a new novel, a more science fiction–oriented one this time. He's also writing, mostly about naval issues, for DefenseTech.org, a military site owned by Monster, the career Web site. Despite his father's naval experience, according to Christian Lowe, the managing editor of Military.com (DefenseTech's parent site), this may seem odd, given Buff's own lack of a military career, but his research and insight make up for it. "He wasn't in the Navy, but sometimes it's a lot better to have someone who's coming at it from a noninstitutional angle," he says.
Lowe recently featured a podcast with Buff about a topic very much in the news: Piracy off the Somali coast. Although it has become trendy to argue that the Navy needs new, lighter craft to combat pirates, Buff disagrees. "The blue water Navy, he argued, was perfectly postured and equipped to defeat piracy," Lowe says. ("Blue water Navy" refers to the ships that can sail in the open sea, unlike smaller ones that are limited to inland and coastal waters.) Existing guided missile destroyers intimidate pirates more than small ships. "[Buff] thinks for himself and [is] a darn good writer," Lowe adds—so he's glad to have him on board.


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The Longest
The longest known phasmid and longest extant insect in the world is the female of the Giant Stick-Insect Phobaeticus chani Bragg, 2008 (Clitumninae: Pharnaciini) from Sabah, Borneo. The holotype specimen in the Natural History Museum London (BMNH) has a body length of 357 mm and measures an amazing 566 mm (the fore tarsi are incomplete) with the fore legs stretched out straight.
The second longest known phasmid in means of overall-length is the Malayan Giant Stick-Insect Phobaeticus serratipes (Gray, 1835), with a female collected in November 1994 in the Tasek Chini National Park, Peninsular Malaysia measuring 555 mm from the tip of the fore tarsi to the apex of the abdomen. The body-length of this specimen however only was 278.0 mm. In means of body-length the second longest insect in the world is represented by Phobaeticus kirbyi Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907, the holotype specimen in the the Natural History Museum London (BMNH) measuring 317 mm. A female of the same species from the Temburong District in Brunei measured an overall-length of 546.0 mm, and hence is the third longest insect in means of overall-length. The third longest insect in means of body-length is the female of Phobaeticus magnus Hennemann & Conle, 2008 found in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia with up to 315 mm.
The world's longest known extant male insect is Phryganistria heusii (Hennemann & Conle, 1997) from Northern Vietnam with a maximum recorded body-length of 250.5 mm and an overall-length of over 470 mm.
The Top-Ten of the world's longest insects (body-length):
1. Phobaeticus chani Bragg, 2008 [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], Borneo (Sabah): 357.0 mm
2. Phobaeticus kirbyi Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], Borneo: 317.0 mm
3. Phobaeticus magnus Hennemann & Conle, 2008 [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], Thailand & Peninsular Malaysia: 315.0 mm
4. Phobaeticus redtenbacheri (Dohrn, 1910) [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], Borneo (Sabah): 300.0 mm
5. Ctenomorpha gargantua Hasenpusch & Brock, 2006 [Phasmatinae: Phasmatini], Australia: ca. 300 mm
6. Phryganistria heusii Hennemann & Conle, 1997 [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], N-Vietnam: 293.0 mm
7. Tirachoidea jianfenglingensis (Bi, 1994) [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], N-Vietnam: 280.0 mm
8. Phobaeticus serratipes (Gray, 1835) [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini], Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore & Sumatra: 278.0 mm
9. Acrophylla titan (Mac Leay, 1827) [Phasmatinae: Phasmatini], Australia: 270.0 mm
10. Macrophasma lyratum (Redtenbacher, 1908) [Stephanacridini], New Guinea: 268.0 mm
There are several other species whose females achieve body-lengths of 25 cm and more. The following is a list of the largest species of certain zoogeographical regions or islands:
Afrotropis: Bactrododema hippotaurum (Karsch, 1896) [Palophinae], East-Afrika (Malawai): 263.0 mm
Madagascar: Achrioptera punctipes punctipes (Audinet-Serville, 1838) [Achriopterini]: 258.3 mm
Sri Lanka: Phobaeticus hypharpax (Westwood, 1859) [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini]: 236.0 mm
Indonesia: Nesiophasma plateni (Dohrn, 1910) [Stephanacridini], Talaud Islands: 263.0 mm
Philippines: Phobaeticus philippinicus (Hennemann & Conle, 1997) [Clitumninae: Pharnaciini): 247.5 mm
Fiji: Hermarchus pythonius (Westwood, 1859) [Stephanacridini]: 242.0 mm
New Zealand: Argorsarchus horridus (White, 1846) [Phasmatinae: Acanthoxylini]: 150.0 mm
Neotropis: Otocrania aurita (Burmeister, 1838) [Cladomorphinae: Cladomorphini], Brazil: 245.0 mm
Caribbean: Diapherodes gigantea (Gmélin, 1789) [Cladomorphinae: Hesperophasmatini]: 194.0 mm
Nearctis: Megaphasma dentricus Stal, 1875 [Diapheromeridae: Diapheromerini], U.S.A.: 150.0 mm
The largest representatives of the "Leaf-Insects" (Family Phylliidae) is the well-known Malayan Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) giganteum Hausleithner, 1984 from West Malaysia. Females reach body-lengths of up to 115 mm, males measure up to 82 mm. Hence, both sexes are considerably larger than most other species. Only the females of Phyllium mamasense Größer, 2008 from South-Sulawesi and Ph. westwoodii Wood-Mason, 1875 are almost as long as Ph. giganteum measuring up to 100 mm.
Figure 1: The female holotype of Phobaeticus chani Bragg, 2008 in the Natural History Museum London (BMNH) has an overall-length of almost 57 cm and is the longest extant insect in the world.
The Shortest
The shortest so far known phasmid is the male of Grylloclonia minima (Zompro, 1998) from the Andes of South Ecuador with a body length of only 17.5 mm (Xerosomatinae: Xerosomatini). The female of Miniphasma prima (Zompro, 1999) from the central highland of Sri Lanka (Subfamily Pachymorphinae) also measures 17.5 mm; the male of this species is presumed to be even shorter. The females of several Grylloclonia-species from the South American Andes are real dwarfs, the female of Grylloclonia papallacta (Giglio-Tos, 1910) for instance measures only about 23 mm.
The shortest phasmids of the Oriental Region are the males of Ommatopseudes harmani (Brock, 1995) and Ommatopseudes paradoxus Günther, 1942 (Aschiphasmatinae: Aschiphasmatini) each with a recorded body-length of 18 mm. Furthermore, most representatives of the genera Dares Stal, 1875, Planispectrum Rehn & Rehn, 1939 and Pterobrimus Redtenbacher, 1906 (Heteropterygidae) hardly measure 30 mm. The smallest known phasmid of the african continent is the male of Clonaria parva (Zompro, 1998) from Kenia, with a body-length of only 30 mm (Pachymorphinae: Gratidiini).
The smallest representative in the "leaf-Insects" (Family Phylliidae) is the male of Microphyllium spinithorax Zompro, 2001 from the Philippine island of with a body length of merely 24 mm.
Figure 2: Left: Grylloclonia punana (Giglio-Tos, 1910) female, paralectotype, coll. MIZT (body length 29 mm); right: Grylloclonia papallacata (Giglio-Tos, 1910) female, holotype, coll. MIZT (body-length 23 mm).
The Heaviest
In full egg-production the females of the well known "Green Jungle-Nymph" Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson, 1798; Subfamily Heteropteryginae) from Peninsular Malaysia can weigh up to 65g. With an estimated weight of up to 60g females egg-laying females of the New Guinean Extatosoma popa popa Stal 1875 are not much less. Very small, fragile and flying species in contrast may weigh less than 1g.
Figure 3: A female of Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson, 1798)
The Largest Eggs
The largest and heaviest eggs are those of the bulgy and spiny Haaniella echinata (Redtenbacher, 1906) from with a weight of up to 0.3g and a length of up to 12 mm. Other species of the genera Haaniella Kirby, 1904 and Heteropteryx Gray, 1835 (Subfamily Heteropteryginae) produce almost equally largw and heavy eggs with lengths up to 10 mm. The eggs of some of these species are often boiled and eaten by locals in Borneo, because of the high degree of proteins contained and as a medicine against diarrhoea. The longest eggs are those of Asceles malaccae (Saussure, 1868; Subfamily Necrosciinae) from Peninsular Malaysia with an overall-length of up to 15 mm. They are however much more slender with a diameter of only about 2 mm and have the polar end produced into a long spine-like projection, which is used to draw the eggs into leaves or stems of the host-plant. The overall-length is furthermore only achieved thanks to the almost 2mm tall, conical operculum. It is also remarkable that such large eggs are produced by rather slender, stick-like females with a body-length of only 90-100 mm.
Figure 4: Egg of Haaniella echinata (Redtenbacher, 1906) left, and Asceles malaccae (Saussure, 1868) right.
The Largest Number of Eggs
Females of the giant stick-insects Acrophylla titan (Mac Leay, 1827) and Anchiale briareus (Gray, 1834) from Northern Australia can produce a total of up to 2.500 eggs during their life-time (Phasmatinae: Phasmatini). A total of 2.052 eggs have been recorded for a captive reared female Acrophylla titan. A captive reared female of the Philippine Hermarchus leytensis (Zompro, 1997) was recorded to have produced 2.375 eggs.
Females of Anchiale briareus (Gray, 1834) from Queensland can lay up to 21 per day! The main reason for this great number laid per day is the remarkably small size of the eggs (length only 3.5 mm) in relation to the rather large insects, which reach body lengths of up to 17 cm. In contrast, most species of the subfamily Dataminae, e. g. in the genera Dares Stal, 1875, Planispectrum Rehn & Rehn, 1939 or Pylaemenes Stal, 1875, merely produce one or two eggs per week. In these cases the eggs are remarkably large if compared to the insects.
The Longest Copulation
Males of the genus Anisomorpha Gray, 1835 (Pseudophasmatinae: Anisomorphini) usually remain on the back of "their" female for an entire life-time, being carried around by the much larger female. The copulation is not even interrupted during oviposition. Sometimes, when the female dies first, males are observed to remain attached to the dead body of their female for several more hours or even days. In general, the copulation only takes a few hours in the Phasmatodea.
Figure 5: A mating couple of Anisomorpha buprestoides (Stoll, 1813) in the Ocala National Forest, Florida, USA.
The Highest Distribution
Species of the genus Monticomorpha Conle & Hennemann 2002 (Pseudophasmatinae: Anisomorphini) in particular live in highly mountainous biotopes in the Andes of South America. They are characterized by their very small size and mostly black colouration, hence are very well adapted to the extreme climate of the habitats they live in. The highest record of the entire Phasmatodea is represented by the strikingly black and yellow banded Monticomorpha flavolimbata (Redtenbacher, 1906), which occurs on the Volcano Cotopaxi (N-Ecuador) in altitudes up to 5.000 m. These highest dispersals of M. flavolimbata are situated along the snow-border where the insects endure the night-frosts under stones and warm themselves up in the sun during the day.
Figure 6: Snow-border on the Volcano Cotopaxi (N-Ecuador) at almost 5000 m, the highest record of Monticomorpha flavolimbata (Redtenbacher, 1906)
The Longest Lived
The highest recorded age was achieved by a widl-caught female of Haaniella scabra (Redtenbacher, 1906; subfamily Heteropteryginae) from Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Borneo). Imported to Germany, this insects survived for over 5 years in the laboratory and readily accepted various alternative food-plants including brmble (Rubus spp.) or oak (Quercus spp.). Kim D´Hulster (Belgium) has reported rearing a female Dares verrucosus Redtenbacher, 1906 (subfamily Dataminae), still alive after hatching five years earlier.
In general, representatrives of the family Heteropterygidae have the highest live expectancy amongst all Phasmatodea. Almost all species live at least for one year after their final skin-shed. Many phasmids however, but in particular males of small flying species (e.g. subfamily Necrosciinae) or of the "Leaf Insects" (genus Phyllium Illiger, 1798), live no more than a few weeks as adults.
The Rarest
Answering the question which is the rarest phasmid is difficult to answer. The most popular and endangered species is the "Lord Howe Island Stick-Insect" or "Tree Lobster" Dryococelus australis (Montrouzier, 1855; subfamily Eurycanthinae), which was added to the red list of seriously endangered species in 2002. This remarkable, almost 13 cm long species was formerly very abundant on Lord Howe Island,,an island some 500 km off the Australian east-coast, with as many as 68 individuals found inside a single cavitiy of a tree trunk. They were usually found hiding in tree holes during the daytime and apparently only left the holes at night to feed.
In the 1920s Black Rats (Rattus rattus, Fam. Murinae) were introduced by European settlers which had a strong destructive effect on the islands fauna and exterminated D. australis. The "Lord Howe Stick-Insect" was since thought to be extinct, until freshly dead specimens were found by climbers on Balls Pyramid during the 1960's. In February 2001, a survey of Balls Pyramid, a volcanic spire 23 km southeast of Lord Howe Island, which is free of rats, discovered a small population of D. australis on a precipitous terrace 65 m above sea level. Three live specimens were located feeding on an endemic tea-tree Melaleuca howeana (Fam. Leguminosae). All evidence indicated that the species was confined to this single small terrace measuring only 30 m x 6 m. A second survey, in March 2002, located a total of 17 D. australis dispersed on six of these shrubs at the same locality. Two live couples were captured and brought to the Australian mainland in order to breed D. australis in captivity and re-introduce it to Lord Howe Island, which however deserves a systematic rat eradication program to be implemented and successful.
Video: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/news/animals-news/stick-insect-apvin.html
It is also worth mentioning the obviously extinct species Xenomaches incommodus (Butler, 1876) from Rodrigues Island in the Indian Ocean. This strinkingly green species of the subfamily platycraninae with bright red antennae appears to have been quite commonly encountered at least since the late 19th century on the endemic palm Latania verschaffeltii. X. incommodus has probably become extinct with the disappearance of it's host-plant on Rodrigues Island.
Certainly, due to the increasing destruction of their natural habitats numerous other species may have become endangered or already extinct since they were last recorded. This in particular the case for those highly specialized species which are restricted to small and fragile biotopes, e.g. in den Andes or on small islands.
Figure 7: Dryococelus australis (Montrouzier, 1855) female and male [From: Westwood, 1859, pl. 1: 1 & 2]
The Commonest
Pest-like often seasonal occurances of various phasmid species and considerable damage to certain plants are frequently reported from different parts of the world. Due to their abundance some species are even treated as pests with agricultural importance. A few examples are from different geographical regions are given below:
Polynesia: There are reports from the 1800s of Graeffea crouanii (Le Guillou, 1841; subfamily Platycraninae) causing such dreadful devastation in coconut plantations throughout Fiji and Tuvalu that food was scarce. Systematic destruction became necessary but it is not sure how true are the remarks that cannibalism in some of the islands was due to the want of food caused by the ravages of G. crouanii!
Australia: Frequently outbreaks of the three species Didymuria violescens (Leach, 1814), Podacanthus wilkinsoni Mac Leay, 1881 and Anchiale austrotessulata Brock & Hasenpusch, 2008 are reported, which usually occur in cycles, with a two year generation period. Didymuria violescens in particular causes considerable defoliation in the mountain forests of New South Wales und Victoria, with some 650 square miles of Eucalyptus forest almost completely destroyed in 1963.
USA: A two year cylce of outbreaks is also observed in some Nearctic species, which mainly concerns to Diapheromera femorata (Say, 1824) in the eastern United States and Megaphasma dentricus Stal, 1875 in Texas and Arkansas. Both species frequently cause considerable damage predominantly in Oak forests. The insects may sometimes be so numerous that the dropping of eggs and excrements sounds like rain! Diapheromera femorata usually makes two generations per year.
China: Numerous species in China are locally very abundant and can occur in pest-like numbers. Since the 1970's consuiderable defoliations caused by phasmids were recognized in many provinces. Some have even become pests of serious importance for agriculture in China. The following summarizes a few bad cases. In March and April 2005 Baculonistria alba (Chen & He, 1990; subfamily Clitumninae) has caused serious damage in the most important green-shelter of Yangtze River, Three Gorges Area Chongqing with an area of about 800 ha of Cupressus funebris (Fam. Cupressaceae) lmost completely defoliated. About 40 ha of the trees were dead and an average of 120 specijmens were counted per tree. In early May the outbreak was controlled by application of pesticides. In 1989 and 1990 up to 3500 ha of Castanopsis fissa (Fam. Fagaceae) were damaged by a pest of Micadina yingdensis Chen & He, 1992 (subfamily Necrosciinae). Some 850 ha of the trees were entirely defoliated or dead in 1990, which has caused an economic damage due to the loss of timber of approximately 560.000 US$. More than 450 specimens were encountered in a single three year old three with less than 100 leaves. Similarly serious damage was caused by Ramulus minutidentatus (Chen & He, 1994; Unterfamilie Clitumninae) between 1998 and 2001 in Tongua city (Jiling Province). Asn average of 2000-5000 insects were encountered in a single Tilia mandshurica (Fam. Tiliaceae) and random analysis of fallen leaf-litter on the ground beneath the affected tree, has shown the density of dropped eggs to be 1000-3000 per square metre!
Figure 8: Serious defoliation of Cupressus funebris (Cupressaceae) at the Yangtze River, Chongqing, China in April 2005, caused by Baculonistria alba (Chen & He, 1990).
The Most Dangerous
Phasmids are generally harmless, but several Phasmatodea have developed aktive, either mechanical or chemical ways, of sufficiently defending themselves against predators.
Mechanical defense: The males of the genera Eurycantha Boisduval, 1835 or Dryococelus Gourney, 1947 (subfamily Eurycanthinae) have developed the perhaps most impressive and spectacular weapons for aktive defense agains predators. The hind femora are massively thickened and enlarged, equipped with strong musculature and on the underside armed with a large and very strong back-curving spine. The corresponding tibiae are also armed with numerous sharp spines on their underside. These armed hind-legs are agressively are used to pinch the predator and can cause serious injuries. In case of a human hand, the length of the femoral spine and strength of the musculature is plenty enough to draw the spine through the flesh right until the bone!
Chemical defense: Quite a number of species, mostly in the families Aschiphasmatidae and Pseudophasmatidae or the subfamily Platycraninae, have developed effective chemical defense mechanisms in form of prothoracic glands. These enable the insects to squirt an irritating and strongly smelling milky spray. This causes considerable harm or even temporary blindness when it get's in contact with the eyes. Oreophoetes Rehn, 1904 (subfamily Diapheromerinae) merely extracts the defensive fluid dropwise, whereas it is actively sprayed over a distance of up to 50 cm in e.g. Megacrania-species (subfamily Platycraninae). In this latter genus the smell of the secretion remarkably resembles that of peppermint. Representatives of the New World Pseudophasmatidae (e.g. Anisomorpha Gray, 1835 or Peruphasma Conle & Hennemann, 2002) strongly disperse their secretion. The chemical composition of these defensive secretions is currently being studied in more detail and some have already been given names (e.g. "Anisomorphal", "Peruphasmal" or "Parectadial").
Figure 9: Hind leg of a male Eurycantha calcarata Lucas, 1869 from New Guinea.
The three first scientifically described Phasmid-species
The three first phasmid species were described in 1758 in the "Systema Naturae" by the famous Swedish scientist Carl von Linnaeus. These are:
1. Gryllus (Mantis) gigas Linnaeus, 1758 [= Phasma gigas (Linnaeus, 1758)]
2. Gryllus (Mantis) phtisicus Linnaeus, 1758 [= Pseudophasma phtisicum (Linnaeus, 1758)]
3. Gryllus (Mantis) siccifolius Linnaeus, 1758 [= Phyllium (Phyllium) siccifolium (Linnaeus, 1758)


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Insufficient data schools - Note that there was insufficient data yet available to calculate performance grades or growth Oxford Preparatory.
Alternative Accountability Schools - Oxford Preparatory was approved to participate in the North Carolina Alternative Schools' Accountability Model (ASAM). For this reason, School Performance Grades are not available for this report. For more information about the ASAM please see:
To view the ASAM performance of Oxford Preparatory see:
|Not Met
Note - To protect student privacy, any percentage that is greater than or equal to 95% appears as 95%, and any value less than 5% will not appear in the charts below.
This section describes some key measures about the students at this school.
This section describes data around the Career and Technical Education at Oxford Preparatory. For more information about Careeer and Technical Education please see: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/cte/.
This section describes student performance in various test subject areas. Student test performance is reported as one of five achievement levels. Levels 1 and 2 are below grade level. Level 3 is at grade level. Levels 4 and 5 indicate college and career readiness.
|Percent graduating within four years at
Oxford Preparatory
|Percent Scoring 17 or above at
Oxford Preparatory
|Percent earning a Silver certificate or higher
Oxford Preparatory
|Percent Passing at
Oxford Preparatory
This section provides information on teachers and their qualifications.
This section provides information on the school environment and facilities.
This section provides information on the school funding and expenditures.


text: The Stones Brilliant At Glasto. The Rest Were Rubbish A post originally shared by Alexander first published over on Stirring Trouble Internationally. Stirring Trouble Internationally is a current affairs website with news about music, entertainment, politics and world news. Stirring Trouble Internationally - A humorous take on news and current affairs. stirringtroubleinternationally.com June 30, 2013 at 04:35PM


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Several days ago, the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Syria announced that it would establish its own militia, the Armed Men of the Muslim Brotherhood, and function independently of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) – the main military rebel movement.
United by a common goal to topple the Assad regime, the two entities seem to have different backers, pursuing conflicting interests. The FSA – consisting mainly of defectors and representatives of various religious groups – is supported by Saudi Arabia, while the new group is funded by Qatar, a country that promotes Islamist regimes.
The fact that there are conflicting parties involved in the civil war comes as no surprise to some experts, who say divisions within the opposition were dictated by the ethnically diverse nature of Syria.
"Syria is a medley of ethnicities, religions, languages and cultures – all living in one place, where every group is competing in a tug of war, trying to promote its own interests," said Orit Perlov, a researcher with the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) specializing in the Arab states.
The same pattern holds true for the rest of the Arab world, where different ethnic communities and tribes have been forced to share the same territory despite significant differences. With the eruption of the upheavals that have rocked the Middle East since late 2010, movements have begun resisting the artificially drawn borders – intact since the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 – that divided control over the Arab provinces of the ailing Ottoman Empire between Britain, France, and Russia after the conclusion of World War I.
In December 2011, the spokesperson for Syria's MB, Zuhair Salim, stated that the organization was interested in reviving the caliphate and creating a state for all Muslims of the region. "The hell with Syria and Syrian nationalism!" he was quoted by Kurdish-Iraqi publication Kurdwatch as saying. "How was the modern Syria created? It was sketched by Sykes and Picot… We don't recognize this agreement!" he added.
Addressing the issue, Reuven Paz, a former head of the research department at Israel's General Security Service agreed with Salim's statement, saying that "although the Arab Spring was inspired by social inequality and widespread corruption it was also caused by the desire to scrap the artificial boundaries between states and to establish a more natural territorial division of the Middle East".
Boasting a crucially strategic location, the Middle East served as a convenient ground for the superpowers to promote their geopolitical and economic interests, where little (or no) heed was paid to the interests, desires, or differences of the affected local communities. "The borders were aimed at securing the world powers' access to key locations, like the Suez Canal, present day Iran and Iraq, [all of which] led to India, Britain's former colony," explained Paz. The pundit also stressed that western involvement in the region has only increased following the discovery of impressive reserves of oil first in Persia (1908) and then Saudi Arabia (1938).
But by fragmenting the region, Paz reasoned, the world powers created mostly failed states, torn by endless wars and conflicts. Each of Israel's neighbors, for example, has had tense relations with a fellow Arab state. Such was the case with Jordan and Saudi Arabia (following King Hussein's pro-Saddam stance in 1991), Syria with Iraq (after Syria sided with Iran during the Iran-Iraq war), Lebanon with Syria (amid the Lebanese civil war), among other instances. The absence of close economic relations, the expansionist ambitions of certain regional leaders, and frequent territorial disputes aggravated the situation even further, leaving the region in a perpetual state of tension and conflict.
"Even though there were attempts to unite the peoples under various ideological concepts, including socialism, communism, nationalism, Pan Arabism, all of them failed – although strong armies and powerful leaders (read dictators) did serve as connecting elements," stated Paz, stressing that only religion was able to bring a sense of unity and belonging.
Yet, in a pluralistic country like Syria, the possibility of religious unity is unlikely. Out of the country's 22.5 million people, some 74% are Sunni Muslims (with at least 40% belonging to the MB). Other Muslim sects like Druze, Alawis and Kurds make up 16% of the population, whereas Christians of various denominations comprise 10%.
This is part one of a three-part story. Check back tomorrow for part two of this important report.
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One who authors and approves legislation on behalf of the populace, usually a representative such as a congressman or senator.
See conflict of interest and self-serving.
See conflict of interest and self-serving.
In a democracy, the authority to author and approve legislation would reside with the people. However, that would not be conducive to the job security of lawyers and politicians, so legislators make sure it isn't done that way.
by Downstrike May 21, 2004
buy the domain for your pet vlog


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3915 W Wendover Ave #A
Directions Greensboro, NC 27407
* By submitting your contact information, you consent to be contacted by telephone about purchasing a vehicle or obtaining vehicle financing. Clicking on the Submit button above is your electronic signature.
* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges.
* Images, prices, and options shown, including vehicle color, trim, options, pricing and other specifications are subject to availability, incentive offerings, current pricing and credit worthiness.


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Real Talk Forum
Monday, November 19, 2012, 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm
Student Union Rathskeller
Current Students
The BSU freshmen council invite you to come out to our Real Talk Forum. It will be held on November 19th in the Rathskeller starting at 7:15 PM. It will be a night of fun, laughter, movie clips and real talk discussions about college life. Bring food, bring your friends and prepare to have a good time.


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Last year we gave you a glimpse of the poo-poo powered, three-wheeled Toilet Bike Neo from popular Japanese toilet-maker Toto. In addition to its (*ahem*) "green" power source, the Toilet Bike Neo has the distinction of, well, looking like a giant toilet on wheels. But don't be so quick to flush this quirky design down the drain as simply a publicity stunt. The toilet-seated trike was originally designed as a part of a green initiative undertaken by Toto in Japan whereby a self-imposed company-wide reduction of C02 emissions is currently set for 2017.
Despite its lovely latrine-like design, the Toilet Bike Neo is not actually powered by human waste as originally believed. Instead, according to Metro UK, the three-wheeled 250cc motorcycle runs on biogas fuel, (fertilized, purified, and compressed livestock waste and household wastewater). So, rather unfortunately, any notion of powering this ingenious contraption for miles on end (from your rear end) after dining on the best Mexican or Indian cuisine money can buy is simply out of the question.
For now, Toto hasn't decided whether its Toilet Bike Neo will actually make it to production. The bike recently made its debut last week in a Fujisawa showroom, near Tokyo, as it continues its poop-fueled journey across the island nation.
Indeed, we're not holding our breath (only our noses) at the prospect of this actually making its way to production either. As a marketing mechanism for the company's environmental efforts, Toto's design is flawless, but the reality that riders will have easy access to the necessary biofuels, especially in larger cities is unlikely.We can't imagine sitting on a giant toilet is altogether comfortable either.
And don't look to it as a convenient road-going potty machine either because that idea has gone down the crapper, too. According to the company's blog post, the bike doesn't have the proper mechanisms to actually function as a toilet, so that giant roll of toilet paper attached the back of the bike will likely only be used to wipe the bugs off your face shield and nothing more.
Hey, nobody ever said saving the earth was going to be glamorous…
Editors' Recommendations
- Inubox is an automated dog toilet that aims to get some tails wagging
- Hate poop? Then $500 may not be too much to pay for this toilet-cleaning robot
- Smart toilet seat is flush with possibilities to monitor patients' health
- How VR, 3D modeling, and craftsmanship help Ducati design alluring motorcycles
- The hubless, carbon-fiber Cyclotron bike looks straight out of 'Tron'


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MEMS 1xN Multi-Mode Optical Switches
Index - Switches
Download PDF file
MEMS MxN Rackmount OXCDiCon's MEMS MxN Rackmount OXC is an integrated switch module based on DiCon's MEMS 1xN switch. Up to forty-eight MEMS 1x24 switches, twenty-four for inputs and the other twenty-four for outputs, can be interconnected to form a fully non-blocking, two stage, fan-out/fan-in Spanke Configuration. Under this matrix switch platform, different MEMS 1xN switches can be used to form customized MxN switch Matrices.
Applications:The MEMS MxN OXC is used in an optical network to dynamically configure the system. For Test and Measurement applications, the matrix switch is a simplified alternative solution for cable management and allows users to share resources. The rackmount chassis allows for convienient storage for all applications.
Housing DimensionsUnits: mm
Optical Specifications
Ordering InformationSCD 0133 Rev A
Optical Switches
Tunable Optical Filters
Optical Channel Monitors
Filters / Splitters / Detectors
Rackmount Systems
Custom Solutions


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Daily 2 hour walking tours of historic Richmond at 12:00 noon daily.
Tours start from inside One Kew Road - immediately opposite Richmond train and tube station with fast and frequent services from all parts of London, Windsor and Reading.
Richmond's character stems from its location on the River Thames. Historically a residence of the English monarchy, it soon established itself as a popular riverside resort and place of relaxation. It also boasts the oldest bridge spanning the River Thames within Greater London and sits alongside a riverside development that evokes memories of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Richmond benefits from a timeless charm more akin to a village than a town. King Henry VII named Richmond after his favourite Earldom, Richmond in Yorkshire and the gateway of his stately Palace, favoured by Queen Elizabeth I, still remains on Richmond Green.
The view from the top of Richmond Hill has been a source of inspiration for artists and poets and was protected by an Act of Parliament in 1902. Beyond the Hill lies the 2,500 acre Richmond Park enclosed by King Charles I in the 17th century as a favoured hunting ground, where large herds of deer still wander freely today.
ONE KEW ROAD - where your Richmond walking tours start and finish
Formally the Station Hotel, the current name conceals its major significance and reputation as one of the world's most celebrated music venues and home to the original Crawdaddy Club.
Regular Jazz & Blues had been played here prior to The Rolling Stones securing their first residency on 24th February 1963. Decca Records' Dick Rowe signed them at this venue soon after The Beatles came to watch them perform here in April 1963.
In June 1963, the The Stones played their last gig at the Club before it moved to the nearby Athletics Ground - home also to the National Jazz & Blues Festival which later became the Reading Festival.
Those pre-booking walking tours ONLINE will receive 25% OFF their food & drinks bill (when ordered together). Just show the waiter your e-ticket when ordering. Applies to lunch or dinner on the day of your tour and not redeemable with any other offer
One of last photographs to be taken of The Beatles all together in April 1969 - 'The Flowerpots' in Richmond


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Fortinet to Announce Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Copyright © 2017 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and unregistered trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet's trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, FortiGate, FortiGuard, FortiManager, FortiMail, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiReporter, FortiOS, FortiASIC, FortiWiFi, FortiSwitch, FortiVoIP, FortiBIOS, FortiLog, FortiResponse, FortiCarrier, FortiScan, FortiAP, FortiDB, FortiVoice and FortiWeb. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding technology releases. Changes of circumstances, product release delays, or other risks as stated in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, located at www.sec.gov, may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release. If the uncertainties materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Fortinet assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Investor Contact: Media Contact:
|Peter Salkowski
Fortinet, Inc.
|Sandra Wheatley
Fortinet, Inc.
Source: Fortinet, Inc.


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Embarrassing: Girl Playing Varsity Basketball.. Shoots The Game Winning Shot In The Wrong Basket In Detroit!
Varsity girls basketball game. .Shout out to China McGee
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Law School Admissions / Ahhh!!!« on: August 17, 2007, 12:48:27 PM »
I am a 20-year old Sophmore in college and it's time to choose a major, something I have dreaded since I started college. I am about the most indecisive person you will ever meet. I went from a major in Radio & Televison to a major in K-12 education to a major in English to my current major which is Journalism/Philosphy - Law concentration with minors in Radio & TV (since I only need 3 classes to complete the requirement) and Sociology. I am fairly certain about the choice I made the only thing that nags me is future job prospects. I am currently the assistant to the director of cardiology @ a well known hospital, so it would behoove me to major in Health Science or Business Admin. Am I setting myself up for failure with my current major? Thanks in advance!!!


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Gastroschisis repair is surgery to correct a birth defect that causes an opening in the skin and muscles covering the belly (abdominal wall). The opening allows intestines and sometimes other organs to bulge outside the belly.
Abdominal wall defect repair
The goal of surgery is to place the organs back into the baby's belly and fix the defect, if possible.
The surgeon will wait until your baby is stable enough to have surgery. This may take a 7 to 10 days. During this time, a plastic pouch called a silo will be used to return most of your baby's intestines and other organs into the belly.
When ready for surgery, your baby will receive general anesthesia. This will make your baby asleep and pain-free during the operation.
Gastroschisis is a life-threatening birth defect. It needs to be treated as soon as possible after a baby is born.
Risks for any anesthesia are:
Risks for any surgery are:
Other risks of gastroschisis repair are:
Gastroschisis is usually seen on ultrasound before the baby is born. The ultrasound may show loops of bowel freely floating outside the baby's belly.
After gastroschisis is found, your baby will be followed very closely to make sure he or she is growing. Most babies who have gastroschisis are delivered by Cesarean section.
Your baby should be delivered at a hospital that has a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and a pediatric surgeon. A NICU is set up to handle emergencies that occur at birth. A pediatric surgeon has special training in surgery for babies and children.
Immediately after birth, any organs that are outside your baby's body will be covered with a warm, moist, sterile dressing or a sterile plastic bag. A nasogastric (NG) tube will be inserted through your baby's nose or mouth into the stomach to drain fluids and keep the stomach empty. This prevents the baby from choking and breathing stomach contents into the lungs.
After surgery, your baby will receive care in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. The baby will be placed in a special bed called an isolette. This bed has an incubator to keep your baby warm.
Your baby may need to be on a breathing machine until organ swelling has decreased and the size of the belly area has increased.
Other treatments your baby will probably need after surgery are:
Feedings are started through the NG tube as soon as your baby's bowel starts functioning after surgery. Feedings by mouth will start very slowly. Your baby may eat slowly and may need feeding therapy, lots of encouragement, and time to recover after a feeding.
The average stay in the hospital is a few weeks up to 4 months. You may be able to take your baby home once he or she is taking all foods by mouth and gaining weight.
After you go home, your child may develop a blockage in the intestines (bowel obstruction) due to a kink or scar in the intestines.
Most of the time, gastroschisis can be corrected with one or two surgeries. How well your baby does will depend on how much damage there was to the intestine.
After recovering from surgery, most children with gastroschisis do very well and live normal lives. Most babies who are born with gastroschisis do not have any other birth defects.
Ledbetter DJ. Gastroschisis and omphalocele. Surgical Clinics of North America. April 2006;86(2).