text:
I had something different planned for today but Bill Simmons published his idea to solve NBA lockout and I feel like I should react. Because even though I have always admired him for his writing style and creativity [e.g. Entertaining As Hell Tournament could be awesome and it probably would help with tanking] IMHO there's too much inconsistency in too important article to leave it without any comment…
Don't get me wrong, I think he's spot on in some aspects, for example here:
Stubbornness in its rawest form. That's the National Basketball Association's lockout. The owners want to "fix" the system without actually fixing it. The players want everything to remain the same even if that "same" makes no sense. Both sides spent the past few weeks poking holes in each other's arguments, leaking unflattering tidbits to trusted writers1 and excreting code-word spin control BS like "we're unified" and "we're in this for the long haul." I never heard anyone say the words, "Hold on a second … what's really wrong here?"
or here:
NBA superstars should make more money than they do; it should be easier for NBA teams to keep those superstars; and too many nonsuperstars make too much money.
but as usual the problem can be found in the details:
We settle on a $52 million hard cap but promise players we'll spend 52 percent of the BRI on salaries, which should average out to $56 million to $58 million per season
For instance, if Dwight Howard wants to sign with the Lakers next summer, they could offer only his franchise cap number ($68 million over four years). Orlando gets the benefit of that $500k bump — eight Howard/Orlando seasons multiplied by $500,000 — so they can offer him a four-year deal worth $87 million. The longer he stays in Orlando and keeps playing at a 'Franchise' level, the more money Howard can earn.
How Magic would be able to resign Dwight Howard when they have committed 55M$ in 2012-13?
Wouldn't it create a whole new market of dumping players' contracts?
Would all contracts be restructured to fit into his 'All-Star' or 'Franchise' status? If the answer is yes the problem has another layer: two players could earn 39M$ per year… which would mean 13M$ for the rest of the roster… shouldn't we mention here voting process among players?
There's no way that majority of them would agree to such salary structure!
Speaking of which…
Going forward, we define an 'All-Star' as someone who's played four consecutive years with one team and made two All-Star teams OR an All-NBA team during that time. Any 'All-Star' automatically gets a $12 million cap figure
How many players among roughly 450 of them can be named All-Stars? How it wouldn't be a problem?
Not only it would screw deep positions and/or conferences but also with players' salaries based ONLY on individual accomplishments [which on the other hand are based on stats like PPG] wouldn't it create ENORMOUS incentive to be as selfish as possible?
—————————————– break for nitpicking —————————————–
Issue No. 5: Nobody is putting a gun to the owners' heads and telling them to overpay players.
Earlier quote in the same article:
By including a luxury tax in the previous two labor deals, they assumed it would frighten teams from overpaying players. Nope. If anything, it's turned into something of a Jedi mind trick. You can't win unless you're overpaying players. Open your wallets. Open them. Our past four champions were luxury tax teams. Not a coincidence. As deputy commissioner Adam Silver told the New York Times, "We had predicted the tax would be more of a drag on salaries than it's turned out to be. It became business as usual to pay the tax, and therefore it created a league of haves and have-nots, where you have the Lakers at $110 million and Sacramento at $45 million."
Am I splitting hair here or it is a contradiction, isn't it?
So owners are to blame for losses while rules force them to overpay?
Another one is here:
Any 'Franchise Player' automatically gets a $17 million cap figure, but can be paid $500,000 per years of service beyond that number without it counting on the cap.
What's the point of hard cap system if teams can spend more than that on salaries?
Final one is here:
If you're wondering why the Bulls would agree to this, here's my response: Has having a second NBA team in town hurt the Lakers these past 30 years?
No… but how can you deride and criticize Clippers about incompetence/cheapness for so long and make a realistic example out of them?
—————————————– end of nitpicking —————————————–
I left IMHO the biggest problem for the end:
Issue No. 2: The players are currently getting too big of a revenue share.
Are they? Why *correct* numbers should be taken out of the hat?
He mentioned in the article link to Nate Silver's piece where was clearly stated that NON-player costs have skyrocketed… Why did it happen? Will it happen again in the next 5 years? Does it even have to happen?
I don't know answers to those questions and without official books we probably won't know it…
but IMHO that's the point where the whole discussion should start…


text: Show Hide image Politics 24 October 2012 Here's why unemployment has fallen and why it will rise again soon The month-by-month figures show that the labour market is weaker than commonly thought. Sign-up One of the biggest puzzles economists are dealing with in relation to the Great Recession is why it is that the United States had approximately twice the increase in unemployment or decrease in employment compared to the UK for approximately half the fall in output. In the recovery phase, US output has surpassed pre-recession levels while less than half of UK GDP has been restored. In contrast, employment in the US is below what it was at the start of the recession in January 2008, while in the UK employment is up slightly, from 29,482,000 in January 2008 to 29,560,000 in August 2012. The two measures used to calculate employment in the US, based on a household survey and a firm survey, show slightly different amounts still to be restored. In the case of the former, civilian employment is down 2.3 per cent, while in the latter, non-farm employment is down 3.3 per cent. Commuter traffic The most unexpected figures recently were the big drops in the UK's headline unemployment number and rate. However, the way the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports the numbers – as three-month rolling averages – doesn't really help us understand what is happening. It turns out that this occurs because of concerns about the variability of sample estimates that arise because the survey from which the numbers are extracted – the labour force survey (LFS) – is underfunded and sample sizes are so small that there is a lot of month-to-month variation. If, for example, you go to the latest data release on unemployment rates from Eurostat, the statistical agency for the EU, you find that there are unemployment rates for August for 22 EU countries, including even tiny Cyprus and Malta; Hungary has data up to July, while Estonia, Greece, Latvia and the UK have data through to June only. It's time to fix this, Mr Cameron; it's embarrassing. Monthly data is available, however, on the ONS website, even though it is not designated as what we call "national statistics", which are used to calculate the rolling averages. The table illustrates the problem. The headline numbers were that the unemployment rate was 7.9 per cent, down from 8.1 per cent, and unemployment was 2,528,000, down from 2,577,000, marked in red in the table. These are derived as rolling averages, so the 7.9 per cent is the average of June to August, while the 8.1 per cent is the average of March through May, and similarly for the unemployment numbers as well as the employment and inactivity rates. What does stand out is that the drop in unemployment in August to 2,421,000 (from 2,633,000 in July) looks like an outlier, not least because of the huge increase in inactivity of 280,000 and a fall in employment of 32,000. Something strange appears to be going on. Note that employment fell in the past two months, from a June peak that is probably distorted by the Olympics, as well as by young people who may not be entering education, in part because of the increase in tuition fees. So the unemployment rate is likely to rise; the Bank of England agents in their October report suggested that there would be "little job creation" in the private sector over the next six months and their past predictions have been reliable. Why hasn't employment been as weak in the UK as in the US? I have two plausible explanations. The first relates to eastern Europeans and the other to interest rates. In contrast to other EU countries, in 2004 the UK, along with Ireland and Sweden, opened its borders to workers from the "A8" accession countries (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia). But the UK restricted access to state benefits. On 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU; workers from these two countries were given much less open access to the UK labour market than those from the A8. (I refer to the group of ten eastern European countries as the "A10".) Approximately a million workers from these countries registered to work in the UK and signed up for National Insurance numbers. The vast proportion of these workers, when interviewed at the borders, said they had no intention of staying permanently. This represents a problem because they were not picked up in the LFS or in the population weights used to generate national estimates, although their consumption would have been picked up. These folks from the A10 were, in essence, commuters – once the economy collapsed, they returned home and either did not work at all in the UK or severely restricted the numbers of days they worked. This would be picked up by a drop in GDP. Mea culpa By way of illustration, suppose there were a million A10 workers in the UK in 2008 who worked ten three-week spells. Assuming 50 weeks a year for simplicity, that is the equivalent of 600,000 workers who weren't counted in 2008. In 2012, there are only 800,000 workers who show up; on average they work three spells of two weeks. That is equivalent to a drop in employment of about half a million. So the drop in employment since then has been understated, although by how much is unclear because we don't have precise estimates. Another contributing explanation is that wages have become more flexible in the UK, because of the high proportion of homeowners who have variable-rate mortgages in this country compared to those in the US. In the US, those with fixed-rate mortgages could refinance as interest rates fell but, as credit conditions tightened for most people, that option was off the table. In the UK, workers were less resistant to reductions in hours and pay freezes than they might have been if they hadn't had big reductions in monthly payments on their mortgages. As a result, any increase in interest rates before growth is fully restored would have a major downward impact on consumption and GDP. I was wrong on the latest figures, to the delight of some of my Twitter followers, but I suspect unemployment will rise sharply again, and soon. David Blanchflower is economics editor of the New Statesman and professor of economics at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire David Blanchflower is economics editor of the New Statesman and professor of economics at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire Subscribe from just £1 per issue This article first appeared in the 29 October 2012 issue of the New Statesman, Something Rotten SUBSCRIBE More

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge competition yielded four exciting and completely unique vehicles.
The Dream Build Challenge featured Toyota NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch, plus NHRA drivers Alexis DeJoria and Antron Brown in a friendly build competition.
The 2012 Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge competitors are (from top left, clockwise) Clint Bowyer, Antron Brown, Alexis DeJoria and Kyle Busch.
The 2012 Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge competitors are (from top left, clockwise) Alexis, DeJoria, Antron Brown, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer.
Top Gear Cohost Rutledge Wood will announce Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge winner.
The Dream Build website will have a fresh look, with views of each completed vehicle and a graphic depiction of the total votes for each build.
Copyright Notice
All materials on this site are for editorial use only. The use of these materials for advertising, marketing or any other commercial purpose is prohibited. They may be cropped but not otherwise modified. To download these materials, you must agree to abide by these terms.


text:
Looking for a Fishing Net? Sportsman's Guide carries Fishing Nets that will help you land that next big catch or live bait and at amazing low prices!
Find the fishing net that will handle easy in water so you can grab your game fish smoothly. The type of fishing you plan on doing will determine the best type of net you will need. Look at larger nets for game size fishes and more compact models that will work best with fly fishing.


text:
Definition of kens
plural of ken 1
The word "kens" uses 4 letters: E K N S.
No direct anagrams for kens found in this word list.
Words formed by adding one letter before or after kens (in bold), or to ekns in any order:
a - kanes skean snake sneak c - necks sneck e - keens knees skeen skene i - kines skein o - kenos r - kerns u - neuks nukes y - ensky
Shorter words found within kens:
en ens es ken ne sen
List shorter words within kens, sorted by length
Words formed from any letters in kens, plus an optional blank or existing letter
List all words starting with kens, words containing kens or words ending with kens
All words formed from kens by changing one letter
Other words with the same letter pairs: ke en ns
Browse words starting with kens by next letter
Previous word in list: kenotrons
Next word in list: kenspeckle
Some random words: isagoge eigenmode nuisance unkempt dwarf wyandotte accede
This is not a dictionary, it's a word game wordfinder.
- Help and FAQ - Examples - Home
Privacy and Cookies Policy - Share - © Copyright 2004-2019 Morewords.com - 13.308mS


text:
Feel the emotions of a live performance
Bring life back into your music with deeper and more natural sound delivered through SoundSphere speaker technology. Equipped with AirPlay, these elegant speakers let you stream music wirelessly from iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad and iTunes. See all benefits
Feel the emotions of a live performance
Bring life back into your music with deeper and more natural sound delivered through SoundSphere speaker technology. Equipped with AirPlay, these elegant speakers let you stream music wirelessly from iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad and iTunes. See all benefits
Bask in the glory and energy of music as SoundSphere gives you each note as the artist intended. Delivering clear and natural audio, SoundSphere creates a sound impression that is deeper and wider. The result is life-like audio that will make you believe the artists are performing before you. Each SoundSphere speaker features a tweeter that hangs above the speaker box. The tweeter is able to emit sound more clearly and in all directions. Precise audio crossover engineering and careful positioning of the woofer to embrace the tweeter ensures minimized interference and even more natural sound.
Philips' proprietary FullSound technology uses latest-generation Digital Signal Processing to faithfully enhance music rendering. Music content is dynamically analyzed and optimized to let you experience music with great detail and warmth.
Bass-reflex acoustic load uses a bass pipe tuned to the acoustic volume of the speaker box, in order to reproduce deep bass from compact enclosures. The carefully designed profiled bass-pipe helps air flow and allows for deep and impactful bass, even at loud volumes while minimizing air turbulence that may cause distortion.
AirPlay lets you stream your entire iTunes music collection to your Fidelio docking stations. It plays wirelessly from the iTunes program on your computer, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch - to any AirPlay-enabled speaker in your home. All you have to do is ensure your speakers are connected to your Wi-Fi network. AirPlay also lets you play simultaneously on every speaker in every room. Get your favorite tunes to follow you whichever room you go.
Have music the way you like it now. SoundStudio truly puts the power over your music into the palm of your hands. It lets you change every aspect of sound, using only your iPhone, with controls that are intuitive and simple. Now you can tweak, tailor and create your desired sound experience and have your favorite songs come to new life. SoundStudio also lets you listen to thousands of Internet radio stations worldwide, broadening your music experience even further.
This speaker comes with a USB port, allowing you to conveniently charge your iPod, iPhone, iPad. Simply connect your Apple device with its USB cable to the back of the speaker. You can play any music from your Apple device whilst it is charging.
RMS refers to Root Mean Square which is a typical measurement of audio power, or rather, the electrical power transferred from an audio amplifier to a loudspeaker, which is measured in watts. The amount of electrical power delivered to the loudspeaker and its sensitivity determines the sound power that is generated. Essentially, amplifiers are limited by the electrical energy they can amplify and loudspeakers by the electrical energy they can convert into sound energy, without distorting the audio signal. The higher the wattage, the better the sound power emitted by the speaker.
The AUX-in connection allows direct playback of MP3 content from portable media players. Besides the benefit of enjoying your favorite music in the superior sound quality delivered by the speaker, AUX-in connection is also extremely convenient as all you have to do is to plug your portable MP3 player to the speaker.


text:
Kardone - 911 [Officially Submitted]
"This Goes Hard AF!
Download the Newly Released "911 EP" FREE Here!
http://www.datpiff.com/Kardone-911-The-EP- mixtape.310975.html
Director/Editor: Ethan Maniquis (Machete, Sin City)
Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kardone/15748416 0983779
Produced by @RdotPerez
Mastered by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner
Co-Director: Daniel Maldonado
For all inquiries: firstname.lastname@example.com
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Mortgage rates were unchanged this week as investors hedged their election bets.
Continue Reading Below
The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was unchanged at 3.57%, according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. The mortgages in this week's survey had an average total of 0.4 discount and origination points. One year ago, the mortgage index stood at 4.25%; four weeks ago, it was 3.59%.
The benchmark 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 2.88% from 2.89%. The benchmark 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage was unchanged at 2.72%.
With the re-election of President Barack Obama, there's a good chance that rates could drop even further over the next couple of days.
"With Romney announcing that he was likely to replace (Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke), markets were expecting that person to be less aggressive on rates, and that (expectation) kept rates up slightly," says John Stewart, managing director of Vantage Economics in Washington, D.C.
"Now that Obama has been re-elected, they're adjusting downward, and that could continue over the very short term."
John Walsh, president of Total Mortgage Services in Milford, Conn., agrees that the expectation of continuity on the Fed keeps rates down. Under Obama, the Federal Reserve is likely to "continue with the buyback of mortgage-backed securities," Walsh says. "As long as that will continue, the rates will stay at pretty steady levels if not go down a touch."
Sandy: Gone But Not Forgotten
The election is just part of the big news this week. Superstorm Sandy took a bite out of mortgage applications last week, particularly on the East Coast, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday.
Mortgage application volume fell by a seasonally adjusted 5% from the previous week, the association said.
"Applications fell more than 60% compared to the prior week in New Jersey, almost 50% in New York and nearly 40% in Connecticut," the MBA's vice president of research and economics, Michael Fratantoni, says. "Other East Coast states saw declines over the week, while many states in other parts of the country had increases in application volumes."
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, applying for a mortgage seemed to be a low priority for most people in the region.
"It's the last thing on people's minds. We still have no Internet or office phones. We're working off our cellphones right now," says Bob Moulton, president of Americana Mortgage in Manhasset, N.Y.
What Does German GDP Have to do With Mortgage Rates?
Another issue that hasn't gone away -- the European debt crisis -- "is having a little effect on rates where people are still buying our debt rather than debt from other countries," says Rob Nunziata, chairman and co-CEO of FBC Mortgage in Orlando, Fla.
On Wednesday, the European Commission revised downward the forecast for economic growth in the eurozone and the European Union. The report revealed that Germany's economy has softened somewhat in 2012, a trend that will likely continue through the end of the year.
The German economy is the strongest in the eurozone and has largely buoyed the euro-area economy in addition to financing bailouts. But what does that have to do with American mortgage rates?
"If Germany sees slowing, that can create further strain in the EU," Stewart says. "Other central banks are going to likely have to step up financially and add liquidity to the system if a country like Germany starts to see some further slowing.
"You'd start to see rates fall a little bit," he adds. "One, because of the potential added liquidity; but two, international investors would start a flight to quality, and U.S. bonds would be one of the places to park those assets," he says.
On the bright side, global economic angst and uncertainty could be good for mortgage rates. But even the uncertainty is not a sure thing. "If it makes sense to refinance today, make sure you lock in and get it done today," advises Walsh.


text:
|Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
First of all, I'd also like to wish all of my American friends a safe and happy July 4th. We hope you have been enjoying your long weekend!!! One thing that is a given is that I have no doubt in my mind that your weekend has been filled with delicious food for your family and friends. In my own little world L'il Burnt Toast and The Boy were here from Vancouver on the weekend, so, I spent yesterday afternoon in good company with dinner at the future in-laws parents...does that make them grand in-laws? They are grand!!!
It doesn't take much to make me happy in the summer, especially when L'il Burnt Toast visits. Give me my Adirondack chair on the porch and a bowl of freshly picked strawberries and my day is made. No... make that my summer is made! When the first of the local strawberries made their appearance (always worth the wait), I started to think ahead, remembering how quickly this season tends to fly by. We are now celebrating the arrival of cherries so strawberries are now at the tail end of their season, but this would still work wonderfully with the smaller and more intensely flavoured end-of-the-season strawberries. They are not just for jam anymore!
For the first recipe of the season I usually make strawberry shortcake for my loved ones but I found an ingredient, previously unknown to K-town shoppers, that inspired me to go a different and deliciously refreshing route.
Whenever I go to Pike Place Market in Seattle I head straight for Mr. D's Greek Deli and purchase several containers of Greek yogurt. A few weeks ago I was shopping at our local Choices and was thrilled to find this:
Yes Greek yogurt right here in K-Town. I haven't been this excited since I spent 5 weeks in Greece!!! So the idea of making a frozen Greek yogurt was born!!!
This recipe comes from David Lebovitz the "King" of ice cream making. You will find recipes from his book "The Perfect Scoop" all over the blogosphere. David says, "You can use Greek-style yogurt, which is three times richer than whole milk yogurt. Slicing the berries and tossing them in sugar makes the strawberries bright red in color and can make ho-hum berries quite delicious."
Use a good-quality, whole milk or Greek-style yogurt for best results. Healthy,better for you, but still a creamy, rich treat by any standard. Go ahead and pamper yourself!
NOTE: I forgot to mention that the addition of vodka or kirsch prevents the frozen yogurt from freezing completely. This is a David Lebovitz little trick. If you have ever made homemade ice cream you will appreciate this fact. Plus it adds a little extra boost of flavour as you all mentioned as well. Thanks for commenting:D
1 pound (450g) strawberries, rinsed and hulled
2/3 cup (130g) sugar
2 teaspoons (10 mL) vodka or kirsch (optional but a good idea)
1 cup (240g) plain whole milk yogurt (Greek yogurt is a good choice)
1 teaspoon (5 mL) fresh lemon juice
Slice the strawberries into small pieces. Toss in a bowl with the sugar and vodka or kirsch (if using) until the sugar begins to dissolve. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours, stirring every so often.
Transfer the strawberries and their juice to a blender or food processor. Add the yogurt and fresh lemon juice. Pulse the machine until the mixture is smooth. If you wish, press mixture through a mesh strainer to remove any seeds.
Chill for 1 hour, then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Makes about a quart.
You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.


text:
A view from Central Europe and the Baltics
Ten years ago this month the European Union expanded to include 10 new members - Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia. It was the largest expansion in the EU's history in terms of population and area, and of historic importance in that it brought into one Union countries that had formerly been on different sides of the Iron Curtain.
Given the Eurozone crisis from which the EU is slowly recovering, it is natural to ask if EU membership has benefitted the 2004 entrants.
Looking purely at income per capita, we see that the 2004 entrants have seen significant improvements in their average living standard, despite the crisis (Figure 1). Naturally, countries with lower average incomes to start with have grown more rapidly (e.g., Latvia and Lithuania, where average income grew by over 60 percent) than those with higher incomes at entry (e.g., Cyprus or Slovenia, where income growth has been in the 15-20 percent range), but all have seen income growth. Moreover, improvements in average income whether large or small have been greater than in the countries that they joined (average income in the older EU member states in Western Europe grew by an average of about 14 percent in the same time period). So, not only has expansion benefitted new entrants, it has resulted in a convergence of living standards. Viewed from the perspective of this longer term trajectory, the "class of 2004" has a lot to celebrate.
Did entry into the EU also reduce poverty? Here the picture is a little more mixed (Figure 2). The risk of poverty has fallen in six of the ten 2004 entrants. In the other four, however, the risk of poverty has increased. The poverty measure used – "At Risk of Poverty" - is a standard, multi-dimensional measure used in Europe and includes a combination of both income poverty and non-income dimensions of well-being, such as eating proteins, having shelter, owning a phone, and having a job. Although multiple dimensions muddy the tighter link between income growth and poverty reduction, the measure does capture an overall sense of well-being which arguably derives from more than just income. After all, "man does not live by bread alone." While recognizing the role of the broader crisis, viewed from the perspective of poverty risk, the 2004 expansion is a qualified success for the former transition economies: six out of eight Central and Eastern European countries experienced a reduction in risk of poverty. In Hungary and Slovenia the risk remained broadly unchanged while for the two island economies, Cyprus and Malta, the risk of poverty increased.
Despite the success, economic challenges remain for the eight former transition economies. First, although economic growth has resumed since the 2008-9 financial crisis, it remains fragile and the job market is sluggish. Employment has not recovered to pre-crisis levels, and unemployment remains high with a rising share of long-term unemployed in most cases. Without raising employment it will be difficult to sustain growth, especially as all countries are aging rapidly and have begun to see a shrinking of their labor force. Second, while poverty has declined, there remains a core of poor people –e.g., the Roma minority in Hungary and the Czech and Slovak Republics - who have still not seen the benefits of income convergence. Integrating these populations is needed both from an economic growth perspective (the Roma are a growing share of new labor force entrants) and critical for social justice. Finally, future economic growth requires the emergence of higher value-added, innovative industries. To use the words of a senior policy maker in Poland, closing the gap with high-income countries will require going beyond being competitive on "labor cost" to becoming competitive on "brand" which would entail a better business environment and world-class research and development.
We thought that our role as a development partner in Central Europe and the Baltics was completed when these countries joined the EU; but given the economic challenges that remain (despite income convergence) and the recognition that the World Bank can help find solutions, we have stayed engaged on issues ranging from competitiveness and jobs to social inclusion. We both learn from the 2004 entrants and help them gain knowledge from our global development experience.
This is a well-written piece,
This is a well-written piece, however in order to strengthen the claim that these 10 countries benefited from the entry to EU in terms of economic expansion, it will be a good idea to compare these countries with those that did not enter the EU or those that were/are in the accession process such as Turkey, Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria who joined later. Of course these countries have their own dynamics apart from being a member/non-member, but the growth rate of Western Europe is not a really good benchmark on its own, too.
Thanks for your message. You
To answer the larger question of whether the countries have benefitted from EU accession one would arguably need to take an even longer perspective. Some of the benefits of joining the EU flow during the accession process before entry, through the harmonisation of policies and institutions to "higher" standards, and the growth of trade and investment flows. In fact, the class of 2004 grew more rapidly in the run-up to EU entry than afterwards. The same holds for Romania and Bulgaria which joined in 2007.
|Time period
|Growth in GDP at market prices (PPS)
Turning specifically to countries such as Turkey and Croatia which were outside the EU during the period in question, we see that income growth is higher than in the EU-10. Income grew by 67 percent in Turkey (2004-11) and 65 percent in Croatia (2004-12). Of course, these countries have their own specific circumstances, with Turkey rebounding from the negative growth of the early 2000s, and Croatia opening EU negotiations in 2005 which could have possibly boosted growth (the recession in Croatia since 2008 would of course have dampened outcomes).
-Mamta Murthi
It's a bit sad that the story
It's a bit sad that the story here is quite one-sided (using the change in GDP as a key measure of success). If we add to the story the changes in the countries' private debt levels, then it becomes quite different. On average the private debt in these 10 countries has increased by 47% of GDP between 2004 and 2012 according to Eurostat (sorry, these are unweighted averages, but still make a point I hope). This has generated an average of 40% increase in GDP across the 10 countries (again - unweighted average). So, the million dollar question is - if your income increases by 40% and your debt by 47% of GDP - is this success?
Sorry for bothering you, but as a former WB staff member in the region I just had to point out these few things...
P.S. And, just some food for thought - could it be the case that the Risk of Poverty rate has declined just because the jobless people have left the respective countries?
Dear (former) Colleagues at
Dear (former) Colleagues at the WB,
Perhaps my earlier comment did not go through, but a summary is as follows - if a group of countries achieves an average of 40% increase during 10 years and their private debt to GDP ratio increases from 87% to 134% of GDP in 2004-2012 (in other words - the burden of private debt has gone up by 47% of GDP) - do you label it as success? These are unweighted averages - did not have time for proper calculations.
And by the way, regarding the decline of risk of poverty rates - wouldn't they be easily explained by combining them with emigration? Those without jobs have simply left (the big declines in the risk of poverty for PL, LV, LT tell me exactly that).
Good luck!
Thanks Andrejs. I fully
Thanks Andrejs. I fully agree that we need to look at multiple dimensions of well-being. Most of the writing on the tenth anniversary of the 2004 EU expansion focuses on GDP per capita alone. This is why we decided to look beyond it. Given the renewed focus on poverty reduction at the World Bank, we looked at the At Risk of Poverty (AROP) measure. As the blog suggests, when you look beyond measures of aggregate welfare, the picture is more mixed. To take one case, Hungary, while there has been income growth at the national level and some convergence with EU-15, the AROP measure has hardly changed. In this sense, people are not better off.
On the question of indebtedness, this is difficult to handle in the AROP framework. AROP is a multidimensional measure that is the sum of those who have low income, are materially deprived and have low work intensity, with the same person counted only once. The material deprivation sub-measure has nine dimensions, but none of them relates to indebtedness. (It does include ability to face unexpected expenses, which is related to having savings and not being in debt, but admittedly this is only an indirect connection.) You raise an interesting point on whether AROP has declined on account of emigration of the jobless. In principle, a decline in the joblessness (low work intensity) rate on account of emigration could lead to a decline in the AROP. In practice, for the countries where there has been a decline, it is the result of a fall in all sub-measures (low income, material deprivation and low work intensity).


text:
jgtornoe needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 74 designs submitted by 8 freelance designers.
Austin Biblical Creationist
This blog is a response to God's calling to share crucial truths that our Lord shares with us on Genesis 1 through 11, thus contributing to the process of removing the veil of evolutionary theory from people's eyes and strengthening their faith in and love for Jesus Christ. I trust that His truth and glory will prevail above all else, because He is God and we are not. http://www.austinbiblicalcreationist.org
A subtle hint of the "Keep Austin Weird" mentality would be appreciated.
Currently, I am using a snapshot of plantet earth as a logo, attached (not thrilled about it, though)
I've also added a pdf with a word cloud on Genesis 1-11 so you can get an idea of the main themes/characters (attached).
Slogan: Because God and His Word Never Fail.
One of the uses of the logo and slogan will be as a header on the blog. Measurements: Width: 950px and Height: 248px. The logo is also expected to be used as icon/image on social media sites.
The Blog is in English and Spanish (although the name and slogan will remain in English). The primary target audience are Christians in the English and Spanish speaking countries who don't fully understand how God created the world and are searching for sensible, Bible-based answers; secondary target: everyone in the same geographies who is searching for information on creation vs. evolution. This blog is more bible-based than science-based and therefore it is assumed that most followers will be either non-scientists or persons who will have less than a high school level education. It should be attractive to younger audiences (18-34)
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
The dashboard and underhood of your car provide a constellation of symbols — much of the iconography is standard. The symbols that aren't? Sometimes they're easily understood and sometimes they're open for misinterpretation. Here's 20 icons trending toward the hilarious.
What if you were plopped into a car with no idea what any symbol in it meant? You'd probably come up with some pretty funny and really incorrect interpretations. We took a fresh look at some of our cars and came up with these. What about in your car? Anything really weird in there? [inspired by Reddit]
Click here if you want to see all of this list on one long-time-to-load page.
Location: Engine radiator
Misinterpretation: Attention, read iBooks but do not put orange gatorade in urine storage tank
Real Meaning: Use only yellow-type coolant rather than the orange-type
Location: Rear seats
Misinterpretation: Baby recliner
Real Meaning: Lower child seat anchor point
Location: Under hood, near fire wall
Misinterpretation: Dharma initiative division
Real Meaning: Brake fluid fill point
Location: On top of fuse box
Misinterpretation: Harry Potter Walrus
Real Meaning: Fuses here
Location: Dashboard
Misinterpretation: Master Shake signal
Real Meaning: Cupholder
Location: Radiator housing
Misinterpretation: Microwave bacon is not allowed and will disappear when lid is twisted
Real Meaning: Do not open the radiator when the coolant is hot
Location: Accessory belt and fan housing
Misinterpretation: No drumming and no record spinning
Real Meaning: Don't touch accessory belt or fans while in operation
Location: Radiator housing
Misinterpretation: Warning, no hand turkey zone
Real Meaning: Don't touch, hot.
Location: Fan housing
Misinterpretation: No hands, boat propellers only
Real Meaning: Don't touch the fan while in motion
Location: Key fob
Misinterpretation: Purse may spontaneously break, red flying saucer beacon, double trunk size
Real Meaning: Lock, unlock, panic, and click twice to open trunk
Location: Dashboard
Misinterpretation: Seat bacon (alt. Summon Seat Snakes)
Real Meaning: Seat heater
Location: Sun visor
Misinterpretation: Stop dancing babies with lasso
Real Meaning: Do not place rear-facing child seat in front seats, may result in injury
Location: Headlight controls
Misinterpretation: Top to bottom: Circle, shiny booty, escape pod, novelty christmas ornament
Real Meaning: Off, running lights, low beams, automatic headlights
Location: Side glass
Misinterpretation: Sunrise causes general alarm
Real Meaning: Car equipped with factory alarm
Location: Overhead controls
Misinterpretation: Start sunset
Real Meaning: Map light
Location: Center console
Misinterpretation: Tire bacon results in a Predator targeting an open trunk
Real Meaning: Traction control off, emergency flashers, trunk open
Location: Lower drivers side kick panel
Misinterpretation: Tow truck neighborhood this way
Real Meaning: Hood open
Location: Steering wheel
Misinterpretation: Trumpet storage
Real Meaning: Horn
Location: Door
Misinterpretation: Wall mounted TV programming
Real Meaning: Mirror adjustment
Location: Hat shelf behind the rear seats
Misinterpretation: Attach anchor to baby and throw overboard
Real Meaning: Upper anchor point for child seat


text:
As it says...a place to just chat about anything and everything.
Hear a funny quote? Think of one yourself? Post it up for all to enjoy!!
(keep it as clean as possible though...LOL)
I am one of the founders of NEF and I'm in the process of moving to Raleigh, NC. I am posting this thread to try and get together a group of people that might be interesting in launching a sister site that would be called SoutheastFoto DOT com. I have the domain already, and it would be...
I think it would be cool to keep a running "introduce yourself" thread... we've got a lot of new members joining (Yea! :happy LOL) and it's getting kind of hard to keep up with who everyone is... at least, it is for me anyway :o: LOL... so it would be nice to have one central place with a short...
Where has the site been?
Recently, We are experiencing a rash of pretty hard spamming here on the site. I try to get in to delete and ban the posts and the users but its an up hill battle on my part. There are soft ware programs out there one could download to use to help thwart the assulting spam bots and help keep them...
Hi Folks ~ long long long time, no posting here!
I've been focusing my online time to posting on deviantart and now G+.. if any of you are on there, I would love to circle you :)
come find me - Ginger Grant
Hope all is well with...
I have an educational website project. Please review my website and share your feedback.
Havent been on here in awhile....not sure how long it's been, noticed that a lot of my old sports photos are on here haha man they stink haha. I've upgraded my equipment a bit since then. How is everyone these days??
I just got home from 4 days in Sin City and did not take a single photo, whats up with that? Not only did I not take any vacation photos, but I did not even take my camera on the trip. I bet I could have got some cool night stuff with my 50mm 1.8 on the Vegas Strip.
Mistake? Maybe, but I had a...
Seriously, I was using my iPhone 4 to take some pics of my daughter and her friend and went to show the picture to them and we bumped into each other and the iPhone went off the boat and into the lake. :eek: As I was telling my wife this story, I said that I dropped my camera in the lake......
hey all its been a long time, anyone here even remember me? I need to get myself motivated to get out and take some pictures down here in good ol el paso.
I'm just asking for a Benro A49F monopod since my Manfrotto is crapping out on me :(
I wish I could get a 7D or something, but that may have to wait until the tax return fairy comes
What's on your list that's photography related?
Been absent for a while, i know i keep up with a few of you on facebook, others not so much. Life has caught up to me over the last year and I guess photography has taken a back seat. hopefully I will be checking in a little more and maybe even shooting and posting again from time to time!
So every time I come here and log on, I check that little check box for a cookie... I never get one. I keep thinking Mmmmm Cookie...:drool
but no, no choco chip, no nutter butter.. not even a cheap a** Sugar Waffer.. :mad:
Hey New Yorkers....after your done here check this NEW Place out!
not sure what this guy was thinking standing where he was:
New York Institute of Photography
The Fast Track to Taking Better Pictures</STRONG>
Do you have a digital SLR, but wish you could do more with it? Do you want to learn how to use its many functions and features? How to download and edit your photos? Then youll want to take our Short Course:...
So... I know I haven't been here on the site much lately. It's been a little bit of a rough year for me... woke up the day after Christmas in excruciating pain - long story short - 2 ruptured discs in my neck, had surgery in April, sliced open my neck, cervical implant with titanium plate and...
In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter, but I was invited to be a regular contributor to the TRAINS magazine online bi-weekly contest called Trackside with TRAINS.com. Basically they give us (about 20 photographers, most of which are TRAINS/Kalmbach Publishing employees - there's...
just curious if any one would be interested in a photo shoot, a friend of mine has quite a collection of birds(wild) and lots of other critters too plus a ton of woods and possibily even access to an old cemetary. so first i was wondering if anyone ...
is anyone attending the George Lepp seminar this sunday @ Storrs?
There are currently 3 users browsing this forum. (0 members & 3 guests)
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


text:
Today's Sale Price:
You Save:
Checking inventory..
What would summer be without your Oregon pride? Totally boring! Make sure summertime is exciting like your Ducks devotion in this Solid bathing suit bottom. This cute bikini bottom is a solid green color to show off the elegant team name woven on the back. You'll display your Oregon spirit and look great as you relax on the beach!
Stay updated on sales, new items and more:
©2019 Fanatics, Inc., All Rights Reserved. No portion of this site may be reproduced or duplicated without the express permission of Fanatics, Inc.


text:
By Bara Vaida
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Lisa Zamosky
Sept. 26, 2013 (Largo, Md.) -- As part of an aggressive campaign to explain his signature health care law to Americans, President Barack Obama urged millions of Americans to sign up for the new health insurance Marketplaces that will open Oct. 1.
Latest MedicineNet News
The campaign-style speech, in front of a supportive crowd of college students, came as news emerged that another part of the law would be delayed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday it will be delaying online enrollment in the Marketplaces for small businesses in some states; they will be able to enroll with a paper application.
Obama did not mention the delay during his speech, although he acknowledged that glitches would happen.
"Somewhere around the country, there will be a computer glitch and the web site won't work the way it's supposed to, and I guarantee that there will be a camera ready to document it," Obama said. "But most of the stories that Obamacare won't work just aren't based on facts."
With the opening of the Marketplaces just days away, about half of Americans say they don't know enough information about the law and half also say they disapprove of it.
The Obama administration is also facing stiff opposition from congressional Republicans, who have been using the budget and debt-ceiling debate in Congress as a way to eliminate funding for the law.
The insurance Marketplaces are the key part of the Affordable Care Act, the law aimed at giving more than 41 million uninsured Americans access to reasonably priced health insurance. Small businesses and individuals who currently buy their own insurance will also be able to seek coverage in the Marketplaces.
A report released this week shows that average premiums for insurance will be lower than had been projected in the 36 states where the federal government will be running Marketplaces.
The average price for a "silver plan," which will cover 70% of an average person's medical costs, will be $328 a month for individuals. The numbers do not include tax credits, which may bring the costs lower. In Maryland, Obama said that a 25-year-old making $25,000 will pay as little as $80 a month for health insurance.
"You can probably get insurance for less than the cost of a cell phone bill," Obama told the supportive crowd of 1,800, who were packed into an athletic center on the campus of Prince George's Community College, 15 miles east of Washington, D.C.
He said that buying insurance would be like "shopping for a ticket on Kayak" or "shopping for a TV on Amazon."
Many consumers who shop in a Marketplace will be eligible for federal tax credits to help offset the cost of the monthly premium. The administration said that 56% of the roughly 41 million uninsured people eligible for the Marketplaces could pay monthly premiums of $100 or less. Enrollment for insurance in 2014 begins Oct. 1 and will last until March 31, 2014.
"Go to healthcare.gov. You can look and they'll tell you where to go," the president said. "You don't have to take my word for it. Go see for yourself what the prices are. See for yourself what the choices are. Then make up your own mind. That is all I'm asking."
SOURCES: Politico: "Obamacare Faces New Delay."The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: "Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: August 2013."USA Today: "Health Care Law Faces Difficult Future."HHS: "ASPE Issue Brief."CBS News: "Amid Delays, Obama Reassures Americans About Health Law."Wall Street Journal: "Key Functions of D.C. Health Exchange Delayed."
©2013 WebMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved.


text:
The daughter of Gina Rinehart, Hope Welker, was warned by her lawyer that her mother and younger sister would be "most annoyed" if she bowed out of a bitter court battle engulfing the family rather than supporting their choice of replacement trustee to head up a $5 billion family trust which Mrs Rinehart's four children are equally entitled to.
The email was sent in December last year after Hope told her lawyer the litigation was causing her a "high degree of distress" and she wanted to avoid telling siblings John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart that her mother gave her a $45 million loan in return for taking a back seat in the family spat.
Mark Deutsch from Deutsch Miller told 28-year-old Hope to "think very carefully" before making a final decision not to be heard on who should be trustee, because "withdrawing your 'voice' as a beneficiary is likely to increase the chances the plaintiffs' proposals . . . will succeed".
He also warned Hope to weigh up how "damaging" information might be that could come to light should she choose to have an active say in who would replace her mother as trustee.
That damaging information was two separate loan agreements between Mrs Rinehart and Hope to lend her $45 million in return for forfeiting her voting rights in relation to the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust, which is at the centre of the litigation and was set up by Lang Hancock for his grandchildren before he died. It holds 23.4 per cent of the family's flagship company, Hancock Prospecting.
The documents were handed over as part of discovery of documents in the case after lawyers for John and Bianca sought to find out if the other two siblings were being influenced by their mother. John and Bianca have been vying for a lineal descendent to be appointed as trustee, whereas Mrs Rinehart and daughter Ginia want an independent trustee.
Twisted history
The dispute erupted in 2011 just days before the trust was due to vest when youngest daughter Ginia turned 25, after Mrs Rinehart told her children they would be bankrupted if the trust was allowed to vest and demanded further powers. The three eldest children sued in the NSW Supreme Court and subsequently accused their mother of deliberately deceiving them and breaching her duties as trustee. Hope later settled with her mother and withdrew as a plaintiff.
As part of the loan, Hope also promised not to sell or transfer her interest in the Hancock Prospecting shares and gave up her voting rights in relation to the shares, signing them over to her mother, who already owns the remaining 76.6 per cent.
Hope is also prohibited from disparaging her mother, or helping her elder siblings John and Bianca in their fight against their mother and Ginia. Hope shall not "cause, procure, finance, support, encourage, provide documents or evidence for or otherwise assist or facilitate" any claim or prosecution brought by another person, the deeds say.
The loans are seven years in duration, but the full amount is repayable if any of the key requirements under the deeds are not met.
It was the prospect of this information being seen by her siblings that resulted in Hope questioning whether to pull out of the case completely, but in his email of December 16, Mr Deutsch told her there were serious risks associated with that course, including that Hope could not object if a trustee she did not support was appointed.
"I know when we last spoke the litigation was causing you a high degree of distress and retreating to this truly neutral position has the potential to alleviate and shield you from future stress," he wrote. "That said, I imagine taking this step . . . will bring its own short-term stress in dealing with the other defendants' annoyance/disappointment."
Mr Deutsch suggested Hope give her mother and sister Ginia at least a "heads up" one day before she told lawyers for her other siblings.


text:
Greek needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 165 designs submitted by 20 freelance designers.
9GREEKS.COM is a social networking site geared toward the nine historically black fraternity and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Member of these organizations come here to connect on a social and professional level.
This site will service the over 100,000 members of the "Divine Nine" African American Fraternity and Sorority organizations.
The members consist black of college students and alumni who take pride in their individual organizations as well as the whole community of the "Divine Nine".
(updated for clarification)
I am looking for an eye catching , creative logo for 9greeks.com. It should include the words "9GREEKS" "Meet. Greet. Connect." (edit--not 9GREEKS".COM")
I DON'T want it to look like a cartoon or look corporate/tech. Remember this will be primarily for black college students and will be the branding image for the company. We'd like this to end up on T-Shirts, hats, etc. Be creative and have fun with it. These organization are known for "stepping" so check out http://www.spritestepoff.com for ideas on who they are.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
MARC Pugh believes he can fulfil his ambitions with Cherries after pledging his long-term future to the club.
The talented winger revealed that the return of Eddie Howe and Cherries' Championship credentials persuaded him to sign a new deal.
Star player Pugh yesterday committed himself to Cherries until 2016 when he penned a three-and-a-half year contract with the Dorset outfit.
The 25-year-old had previously declined the opportunity to seal fresh terms after stating his desire to ply his trade in English football's second tier.
But Pugh, who was signed by Howe from Hereford in 2010, had a change of heart after the former Cherries boss returned as Paul Groves's successor.
The fans' favourite said the appointment of Howe and Jason Tindall had been a major factor after admitting to frustration under the previous management duo of Groves and Shaun Brooks.
Pugh told the Daily Echo: "We were really struggling before the gaffer came in and I think (the appointment of) the gaffer and Jason was a big turning point for me.
"I love working under them. No disrespect to Paul and Shaun, they liked to play a diamond formation without wingers and it doesn't really suit my game and it was getting a bit frustrating being in and out of the team.
"Eddie and Jason like to get the best out of me. Hopefully, I can continue my form and we can make a good push for the play-offs, if not top two. You never know."
Pugh, who revealed he had not previously been formally offered a contract since Lee Bradbury's reign, had just seven months to run on his existing deal and would have been entitled to leave for free in the summer.
But having now extended his stay, Pugh is confident he can play a part in a famous chapter in the club's history.
He said: "We have got a great opportunity of getting to the Championship and I believe we can do that, and the club is pushing for success. Everything is in place."
Pugh, last season's Micky Cave-Daily Echo supporters' player of the year, has netted 30 times in 114 league and cup appearances.
Following his move from Hereford, the Lancastrian has settled in Dorset with his wife Laura and daughter Halle. He said that also played a role in his contract decision.
Pugh added: "It had to tick all the boxes for me and my family. My two girls absolutely love it down here and we were saying the other day that we don't want to leave the beach just yet! We are really happy here.
"It is a lovely place to be, the people are great, the fans have been brilliant with me, I love the lads to bits and we get on so well, and it is just everything about the place. All we need now is Championship football and I believe we are striving to do that, if not this season then next season."


text: MainGet InvolvedBecome a Special Olympics Athlete Listen Become a Special Olympics AthleteSpecial Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. There's a place for everyone with an intellectual disability in Special Olympics. Get Involved Near YouThrough the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence and fulfillment -- on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. There are about 200 million people with intellectual disabilities around the world. Our goal is to reach out to every one of them – and their families as well. To become a Special Olympics athlete, get in touch with the office nearest you.


text:
With 96 gun deaths in the U.S. everyday—more than Columbine and Virginia Tech combined—it's time we start putting lives before politics.
We are not calling for restrictions to our Constitutional Rights, but just common sense legislation that will help save lives.
Help us prevent firearm violence through public awareness, sensible legislation and support for law enforcement – without banning guns.


text:
Our ex-pat buddies in Japan, Nihon Car and Bike file one of their oft-taped HD-video reports on the Toyota Mega Web, reportedly the largest car showroom in the world. The giant dealership houses 150 Toyota, Daihatsu and Lexus models, a private test track, restaurants and a movie theater — in a low-sales-pressure environment. Plus, for about six bucks, you can take any of the cars available for a drive on the track. Why not just change the name of Tokyo to "Heaven."
Toyota Mega Web, the biggest showroom in the world, HDTV [Nihon Car and Bike via Motorpulse]
For Relaxing Times, Make it Suntory Times; New Pics of GM's The Drive in Las Vegas [internal]


text:
Automobiles are considered as the most successful means of personal mobility. With a technological development, they are created to make our life much more easier and comfortable. Today, we can't deny the fact that we rely on cars more than ever. It is our means of transportation . So I've created the list of trusted businessses that offers automobiles that would surely capture your heart. On the other hand if you alreafy owned one yet it needs repair you can check these listings also.
Los Angeles Auto Show
Motor Village LA
Honda of Downtown Los Angeles
Nick Alexander Imports
Universal City Nissan
Complete Automotive Systems
Airport Marina Honda
Martin Automotive Group
Felix Chevrolet
Downtown L.A. Motors
Honda of Hollywood Motorcycles
Pep Boys Auto Parts & Service
Toyota of Downtown L.A.
Beverly Hills BMW
Monroy Enterprises Inc
Euro Design Auto Crafts, Inc.
Freeway Auto Sales
Family Car Buyers
Toyota of Hollywood
Hornburg Los Angeles
European Auto House
Jeff's Mercedes Auto Service
Airport Marina Ford
G&N Motors MBZ Certified Mercedes-Benz Service&Repair
The M Shop
Rony's Car Pros
A&G Auto
Jem Motor Corporation.
Dream Motor Cars
Absolute on Hoover
Alpine Auto
Kay Kars
Humming Motors
Trade-In Solutions
One Stop Auto Shop
101 Vermont Hyundai
Volkswagen of Downtown LA
Milano Auto Sales & Leasing
Battery Alternator Starter
Jim Matson Automotive
Cash For Cars Los Angeles
Petersen Automotive Museum
Nissan Of Downtown L.A.
Kia of Downtown Los Angeles
Nowcom Corporation
Audi of Downtown L.A.
Crestview Service Center
Pinky's Automotive
Commerce Hyundai
Atlantic Tire and Auto Service
Harry's Auto Collision Center
Beverly Hills Unique Sports Cars & Luxury Vehicles
Midway Auto Center
William E Benoit
Find It All Car Audio
For Autos in Los Angeles, California click here: http://us.wowcity.com/losangeles/?what=Auto
In this modern world that we are currently living, we tend to cope to every changes that takes place once in while. So, grab your phones now and contact the business that offers a deal suited to your liking.


text:
Intelligent Design - Message from the DesignersYears ago, everybody knew that the earth was flat, everybody knew that the sun revolved around the earth, and today everybody knows that life on earth is either the result of random evolution or the work of a supernatural God. Or is it? In "Message from the Designers", Rael presents us with the vast amount of information that he received during his UFO encounters in 1973 - a third option: all life on earth having been created by advanced scientists from another world.
First book in the whole series, best to read this book first.
Please note: This new edition is a combination of the 2 books previously released as "The Message Given by Extra-terrestrials" and "Lets Welcome the Extra-terrestrials". The printed version (paperback and hardcover, available from Amazon.com) contains photos not found in this e-book.
To open this file you will need a pdf viewer like Adobe Acrobat or alike.
Author: Rael
Filesize: 1.22 MB
Downloads: 844100


text:
Molto Bene! Employees at Cisco Italy Exemplify Volunteer Engagement
In the summer of 2010, Veronica Recanati, Security Partner Account Manager for Cisco Italy, spent one month of paid time off volunteering at an orphanage in Tanzania. It turned out to be a life-changing experience not just for her, but for many of her colleagues in Rome.
In Tanzania, Veronica realized just one euro could buy ten meals for children. She realized more help was needed, not just in Tanzania, but at home in Italy and around the world. And she realized she wanted be involved.
"It was like a bomb that exploded in my head," Veronica says. "I wanted to use my experience with Cisco to help."
Today, Veronica is part of a very active Italy Civic Council – a group of Cisco employees that leads volunteer and charitable activities at the local level.
Civic Councils are an important part of Cisco's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach, which combines human and technology networks to multiply impact. When our employees throughout the world coalesce to help others and apply Cisco technology to solve problems in the communities around them, we can make a meaningful impact on far more people.
Veronica and the 31 other members of the Italy Civic Council are proof of that.
When Veronica's colleagues heard about her trip to Tanzania, they were inspired. The Cisco Country Manager for Italy, David Bevilacqua, presented her with a donation of US$5000 to the orphanage from Cisco Italy. Employees donated another EURO€1000 (US$1270), plus clothes, shoes, and books; the money helped build a school at the orphanage.
When Veronica went back to Tanzania to check the status of the school, she met someone from Sensacional, an Italian charitable organization active in the international cooperation field. Cisco Italy liked Sensacional's approach based on transparency and decided to support the young organization and to donate funds for a library in Ecuador. Today Sensacional is part of the Cisco Matching Program.
Like Veronica, many other Italy Civic Council ambassadors are cooperating to help communities. Through the power of human and technology networks, they are engaged in many initiatives aimed at making a difference. A few examples:
- Cisco Italy collaborates with the Polizia Postale, the Internet police department, to visit schools and educate students and parents about Internet safety. About 108 ambassadors participate in the program nationwide.
- A strong product grant donation program has provided 23 different charities with 75 products, such as phones, computers, switches, routers, and the Cisco WebEx solution. Systems engineers in Italy even worked with local service provider Vodafone to bring an Internet connection to a research scientist in Calabria, a remote region in southern Italy.
- An online portal where Cisco employees, partners, and customers can donate to charities, find volunteer opportunities, and log their activities has generated EURO€80,000 (US$101,800) for charitable organizations to date.
- High school students are regularly invited to visit Cisco's facility in Milan to learn about professional opportunities in the information and communications technology (ICT) field.
- Employees participate in annual fundraising activities common in many offices, such as selling candy at Easter, raising thousands of euros for charities each year. Donationbay Band, a rock band comprised of Cisco employees, performs for charity, and employees participate in a blood donation drive three times a year.
Veronica says she is grateful to work for a company that is so civic-minded and supports her efforts to help people in her own community and other parts of the world.
"I feel very useful if I do something good for others," Veronica says. "It is great that I can do it while working at Cisco–they give me the possibility to do all of these activities."
On May 22, the yearlong Cisco VolunteerX Campaign will get underway, encouraging Cisco employees throughout the world to volunteer their time and talent to charitable organizations.
Employees in different operational functions and geographic regions will compete against each other. The functions and regions that accumulate the most community service hours will each win a grant of US$25,000 to award to a nonprofit organization of their choice.
"Through this initiative, we can remind employees about the interconnected relationships that branch out from our work into our communities," says Director of Cisco Global Community Relations Sandra Wheatley. "We touch nearly every part of the community in some way and that gives us the ability to engage with a wide range of people and organizations."
Community Relations will also donate US$1 for every approved photo and video employees post to the Cisco CSR Facebook page during the Cisco VolunteerX Campaign.
Visit the Cisco CSR website to read more about the impact of our societal investments.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.
2 Comments
That's amazing their so luck to have you. Your welcome to Swiwsco Ophanage in the future good work
It's great to see employees of large corporations volunteering their time and energy – commendable! Keep up the good work.


text:
GIANT Pictures From Pigmy Prints (Aug, 1938)
GIANT Pictures From Pigmy Prints
By H.H. Slawson
LIKE all big things that have a small beginning, the making of giant photomurals was just a little idea back in 1927, when Mrs. C. B. Goodspeed of Chicago walked into the photo studio of Kaufmann & Fabry. She carried with her a 4×5 negative of India's famed Taj Mahal and explained to the skeptical Messrs. Kaufmann & Fabry that her idea was to have a picture large enough to cover the entire wall of an alcove in her home.
"We told her at once," said Arthur E. Clason, the veteran photographer who eventually completed the job, "that a picture the size she wanted had never been made before. Enlargements, as known today, were unheard of. The widest paper available was only forty inches, so three strips would be required to cover her eight-foot alcove. We were not sure printing could be controlled so that tonal values of these strips would be identical. We feared, too, that due to inability to hold the paper absolutely flat during printing, the curled edge would distort the image. Our big worry, though, was that the dampened paper would stretch without uniformity. There was also the possibility that, due to improper development, the emulsion on the negative would show a blotched or 'grainy' appearance when enlarged to the unusual size, thus destroying the artistic tone of the finished picture."
Mrs. Goodspeed departed but did not give up. And finally, when the studio consented to project the negative, it was found to everyone's surprise that it had been correctly exposed and developed. Even when enlarged to twenty-five diameters on the screen, the superior quality of the negative nullified all opposition to the undertaking. After that showing the studio was compelled to accept her order.
"We realized that we were attempting something without knowing the rules, but there was nothing hit or miss about our procedure. Every step was carefully plotted out and our subsequent operations have closely followed that first experience. When the strips were eventually joined on the alcove wall, the images matched within less than a quarter of an inch.
"Mrs. Goodspeed provided the paper-hanger, but we furnished paste, just to be sure he did not use anything injurious to the emulsion. The paper was applied direct to the plaster, which, as learned from later experience, might have brought disaster. This first job was saved, however, because Mrs. Goodspeed had asked for a 'gold tone' finish and $50 worth of pure gold bullion was used to produce it. Between that gold coating and the lime no chemical action occurred and today, after nearly twelve years, the world's first photomural still hangs there in all its original bright perfection.
It was not until three years later, in 1930, that the commercial possibilities of photo-murals was realized by Kaufmann & Fabry, when they were asked to decorate the walls of a Chicago night club's reception room. Here, after preliminary consideration, a drawing, 6×20 inches in size, the work of the artist, Aaron Douglas, was enlarged to fill every inch of wall space in a room measuring 51×20 feet.
The accomplishment attracted widespread attention and discussion in art circles. Interior decorators began placing orders and then came Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition, which, as Mr. Clason remarked, was "practically baptised with a photomural."
H. M. Pettit, the artist who specializes in bird's eye drawings, had made a picture visualizing how the fair would look when completed and the exposition's president, Rufus Dawes, thought it would make a fine ornament for the administration building's reception room, "if it could be enlarged a bit." So Kaufmann & Fabry enlarged it quite a bit. Pettit's picture was 26×40 inches in size and the completed photomural was 20 feet, 6 inches high by 35 feet long.
"It was our first real 'whale,' " remarked Mr. Clason, "and gave us our first experience in excessive height and multiple sections. The first photomural had been made in three sections, but since our projector could only throw images about ten feet long, this fair job required thirty-three sections. Today, incidentally, sections twenty-four feet long can be printed without difficulty.
"Those thirty-three sections had to be uniform in tonal values. But variations in strength of light, temperature of developer and a half dozen other factors might combine to cause slips that could not be corrected once we had started. During hanging, expansion, both horizontal and vertical, had to be watched and at the same time moisture content of each section when applied to the wall, must be approximately equal to that in the sections to which it was joined. I stayed on that job like a hawk."
This installation introduced the world to the possibilities of mammoth photographs as a new form of wall decoration. After seeing it, fifty exhibitors placed orders for giant pictures for their 1933 exhibits. Next year this number increased and meanwhile other studios had also begun to produce the new style pictures.
It was for the 1934 fair that Kaufmann & Fabry made the world's largest photomural for use by the Ford Motor Company. It approximates 600 feet long and twenty feet high and is composed of ninety-eight steel-framed panels. Subjects are scenes around the company's plant, made from negatives 4×5 or 8×10 inches in size. Nearly one mile of photographic paper, forty inches wide, was required, together with 12,000 feet of plywood for backing, 200 gallons of paste, half a mile of chromium metal moulding and other materials in proportion. The big picture now hangs permanently in the Ford "Courtesy Building" at Dearborn.
Photomurals are now employed for wall decoration and other purposes in an infinite number of situations. Some twenty distinct types have been created, ranging from the continuous over-all panorama, to the frieze and the removable panel. One of the most talked about examples of a giant picture made from a pigmy print was installed at Miami, Fla., where a tiny "shot" 3-1/2 inches square, was magnified to a height of 23 feet, 9 inches, with a total surface area of 27,360 square inches.
Considerable mystery prevails as to how photo-murals are made but essentially the process is identical to what any amateur home photographer follows. As the first step, the photomural engineer surveys the room. Then he constructs a miniature scale model so that a photograph, properly reduced in size, can be studied in position with respect to balance and composition and for estimate of costs.
The negative, after retouching to remove blemishes, now goes to the projection room. The screen is a sheet of sensitized photographic paper tacked to the farther wall. On this the negative's image is cast by a huge projection camera. This machine, 4x6x8 feet in dimensions, rests on wheels running along a four-foot gauge track. With its lenses, condensers and 5,000-watt lamp of airplane-beacon type, the camera weighs 450 pounds. Special ventilation apparatus keeps it cool and an ingenious device protects the negative from the lamp's heat.
After exposure the long strip of paper is developed in large tanks. The developing process is like that employed in ordinary photography. Tanks vary in length up to ten feet and a large job consumes about 800 gallons of developing solution.
Following the fixing bath, the photomural moves to the washing tanks. Constructed of stainless steel to eliminate chemical action, these hold 400 gallons of water, filtered and tempered and made to circulate around, up and over the paper. Again timing is carefully clocked and chemical tests are made to detect the slightest traces of hypo before the loops of paper are lifted out and adjusted on drying racks of steel webbing through which air circulates freely.
The "skiving" process which follows involves tearing the side edge of the print on a bevel, so that two sections may be lapped together with the least possible visible joint. Mounting is done in various ways, depending on the job, but in most cases a strip of chemically pure white muslin serves for an immediate foundation. Specially developed paste prevents chemical action that might cause blemishes. A "spotter" then inspects the job to eliminate minor defects that escaped the retoucher's magnifying glass.
From the negative to the wall on a small job might be a matter of less than twelve hours for a crew of two or three men. Larger jobs call for more men and more time.
That development of photomurals has not been as simple as this account sounds Mr. Clason emphasizes. He has seen "hot spots," caused by unslaked lime in the plaster, start discolorations that ruined an entire job.
Lengthy research was required to determine the chemical effect of muslin on photographic paper and a dozen types of wall board were investigated before suitable mounting board was selected. Photographic paste went through various changes in formula. When atmospheric gases were discovered to cause discoloration a search was started for the right kind of lacquer to use as a protective agent. This formula was also revised several times.
Photographic supply companies have made many changes in paper stock to provide a more uniform and stronger paper base for photomurals Sensitized paper is commonly made in rolls 300 feet long, but recently the largest roll yet manufactured was specially produced for one job. It was 750 feet long, and its absolute uniformity of emulsion guarded against variations in tonal values during the printing process. Improved negatives have also contributed to higher quality of artistic finish.
Constantly changing technique has called for new apparatus all down the production line and the business of making photomurals is now well established on a sound technical basis. Photomurals in natural color are, for instance, being discussed as a future achievement.


text:
[Illinois] Microbiology Seminar Series: Salmonella Resistance to Phagocytic Superoxide
Published on
The most serious Salmonella disease results from extraintestinal infection and bacteremia. Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to more serious Salmonella infection. The hallmark of these extraintestinal infections is the ability of Salmonella to survive in macrophages, which normally kill bacteria by producing a variety of antimicrobials, including superoxide and other reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Evidence that phagocyte-produced superoxide is important in Salmonella infection is clear; mice and humans who are genetically defective in superoxide production are significantly more susceptible to infection. However, the molecular mechanism by which external superoxide kills or inhibits Salmonella is not known.
S. typhimurium resistance to the oxidative burst of phagocytes requires periplasmic Copper/Zinc co-factored superoxide dismutase (SodC), which detoxifies superoxide. Our strain of S. typhimurium produces two periplasmic superoxide dismutases. SodCII is chromosomally encoded, whereas SodCI is encoded on the fully functional bacteriophage Gifsy-2. We have shown that only SodCI contributes to virulence in the animal. In contrast, SodCII is not required during infection, even in the absence of SodCI. Both proteins are made during infection and are enzymatically indistinguishable, suggesting that some physical difference between the two proteins allows SodCI, but not SodCII, to contribute to virulence. From our work and that of others we know that SodCI is dimeric, protease resistant, and tethered within the periplasm by some non-covalent ionic interaction. SodCII is monomeric, protease sensitive, and released normally from the periplasm by several different methods. Our current working model proposes that macrophages deliver to the Salmonella-containing phagosome a variety of antimicrobial molecules, including antimicrobial peptides, proteases, and superoxide. The antimicrobial peptides, at least transiently, disrupt the outer membrane of the bacterium. Periplasmic proteins, like SodCII, are released and/or phagocytic proteases gain access to the periplasm. SodCII is degraded under these conditions. In contrast, SodCI is tethered within the periplasm and is inherently protease resistant. Therefore, it remains to detoxify the phagocytic superoxide. We are currently testing aspects of this model.
The fundamental question of how phagocytic superoxide damages or kills Salmonella remains. We have generated extensive genetic data showing that phagocytic superoxide damages an extracytoplasmic target; cytoplasmic targets including DNA seem to be irrelevant. However, we do not know the nature of the target(s). Several projects are focused on determining the targets of superoxide and the overall mechanism of bacterial inhibition.
Our second area of study is the regulation of the Type III Secretion System (T3SS) encoded on Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI1). This complex of over 30 proteins is transcriptionally induced in response to a variety of environmental signals such that the machinery is produced at the appropriate time when the bacteria are in the intestine of the host. Using this machine, Salmonella injects bacterial proteins, termed effectors, into the epithelial cells leading to actin rearrangement and invasion of the bacterium. Using careful genetic analyses, we have modeled the complex circuitry responsible for integrating these various environmental signals. The master SPI1 regulatory gene hilA is controlled directly by three AraC-like regulators: HilD, HilC and RtsA. HilC and HilD are encoded in the SPI1 locus, while RtsA is encoded elsewhere in the chromosome. HilC, HilD and RtsA are each capable of activating expression of hilC, hilD and rtsA, creating a complex feed forward regulatory loop that regulates hilA expression.
We now understand that the global regulatory systems feed into SPI1 through HilD. Our current work is focused on understanding how several global regulators affect HilD function at the molecular level. The data to date suggests that this regulation is post-translational, with some regulators controlling translation while others affect action of HilD protein. This is the key to understanding SPI1 regulation."
-Retrieved from Dr. Slauch's faculty profile.
B.S. (Biochemistry), The Pennsylvania State University, 1984
Ph.D. (Molecular Biology), Princeton University, 1990
Postdoc. (Microbiology), Harvard Medical School, 1990-1993
Sponsored by
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
William Edward Nixon, Obaid Sarvana, George Michael Daley, NanoBio Node
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign