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https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/issue/feed International Journal of Agricultural Extension 2019-05-09T21:58:39+00:00 Saleem Ashraf email@example.com Open Journal Systems
 International Journal of Agricultural Extension is a multidisciplinary, open access, peer reviewed journal aimed to publish authoritative empirical research and conceptual contribution building the theory of agriculture extension especially focusing on rural development through practices of agriculture extension.
 https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2721 Effects of Farmers' Socioeconomic Characteristics on Access to Agricultural Information in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province 2019-05-09T21:50:04+00:00 Sinah M. Modirwa email@example.com
Information plays an important role in enhancing agricultural development. Agricultural extension exchange information with farmers to improve their production, however, farmers use other sources to access the information they need to improve their production. However, their access to agricultural information may be hindered by some socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, the current study identified the effects of farmers' socioeconomic characteristics, their sources of agricultural information and the constraints they face in accessing agricultural information. A proportionate sample of 120 respondents was selected randomly from the participants. The data was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to perform statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used. On the basis of to what extend different information sources were used by farmers the rank order was used. Further, bivariate analysis was used to test the level of association among selected variables. The results show that the majority of the respondents were over the age of fifty and were males. Most of the respondents went up to high school level of education. More respondents had a land size of up to five hectares. Further, the results showed that there existed a significant relationship between respondents' age, education and their sources of information. The results further revealed that fellow farmers and extension staff were the major sources of information. However, distance from the extension staff and lack of awareness of new technology were identified as the constraints that the respondents face in accessing agricultural information. The results of the study therefore reveal that there is a need for farmers to access relevant and timeous agricultural information to improve their production.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/1778 The floating traditional Rice Techno-Demonstration for Community Food Security 2019-05-09T21:50:04+00:00 Pasigan U. Buisan email@example.com Nasrudin A. Buisan firstname.lastname@example.com
Rice ranks as the most important cereal in the Philippines. It is one of the country's largest agricultural production systems, highest among crop production. The general objective of the study was to determine if traditional rice variety can give optimum yield when planted in the floating area. The materials used were traditional rice varieties. The water hyacinth was converted into a rice floating area. Data gathered was analyzed using the analysis of variance. The LSD Test was employed to compare the significant difference between treatment mean values. Floating rice production is a viable option among small farmers particularly in areas where water availability is not control such as marshy area. Local materials such as water hyacinth as floater are widely available. There is a need however, for a sound cultural management to make it sustainable. The good agronomic characteristics of the rice varieties can be attributed by the types of variety and the management practices. The floating area can be converted a potential area for rice production for a certain community particularly in the marshy area. However, there a need for a sound management practices in the floating area that can farmers may adopt for a sustainable rice floating production area
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2732 Assessing the Status of Social Media Familiarity among Smallholder Farmers: A Case Study of Thika, Kiambu Kenya 2019-05-09T21:50:04+00:00 Anne W. Kimani firstname.lastname@example.com Hillary T. Nyang'anga firstname.lastname@example.com John I. Mburu firstname.lastname@example.com
Social media provides huge opportunities and incentives that could ease promotion of agricultural extension, facilitate real-time service delivery and enable wider farmer coverage. Ineffective dissemination approaches, expanding farmer population, low staffing, and aging agricultural extension agents continue to negatively affect the provision of agricultural extension services in Kenya. Despite the social media potential in agricultural communication, lack of awareness and low usage in the rural areas of developing countries have been documented. This study sought to establish the level of social media familiarity among smallholder rural farmers with the aim of exploring the possibility of usage in agricultural extension. The study was undertaken in Thika Sub-County of Kiambu County on 140 farmers through a researcher administered semi-structured questionnaire. Probability-proportional-to-size sampling method was employed to derive the sample size from existing extension farmer groups. Simple random sampling technique was further used to identify the actual respondents from each group. A low level of social media familiarity was established among the farmers with education, age and gender having significant influence. The study recommends awareness creation initiatives to promote social media familiarity with a particular focus on women who form the bulk of the farmers but with the lowest level of social media knowledge.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2809 Analysis of Improved Indigenous Chicken Adoption Among Smallholder Farmers: Case of Makueni and Kakamega Counties, Kenya 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Christopher N. Kamau email@example.com Lucy W. Kabuage email@example.com Eric K. Bett firstname.lastname@example.com
Indigenous chicken (IC) production is a source of food security and income among smallholder farmers within high potential areas and semi-arid lands (ASAL). The demand for IC eggs and meat is anticipated to increase threefold by the year 2020 by health conscious consumers. However, potential of IC to contribute to household incomes and poverty alleviation in ASAL is constrained by slow maturity of IC and low productivity. Hence, to address these constraints improved indigenous chicken (IIC) technologies have been developed and introduced to smallholders in high potential area and ASAL. However, only a few smallholder farmers have adopted the IIC technologies. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the effect of farmer socioeconomic characteristics on adoption and intensity of adoption the IIC technology in Makueni and Kakamega counties. A total of 384 households were sampled using multi-stage sampling to collect data through interviews. The collected data was analyzed using a double hurdle model. The results suggest that sex of the household head, farm size, group membership, which had not been previously identified in IIC studies as a significant variable, distance to training centre, off-farm activities and IIC awareness significantly affected adoption decision of improved IC. On the other hand education of the household head, household size, farm size, source of information on IIC and awareness on IIC had significant effects on the level of adoption. The recommendations from this study have an implication on extension policy, land use policy, food policy, collective action and pricing policy in the context of technology adoption in Kenya.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2786 Communication Modalities Used in the Delivery of Extension Programs to Small Scale Livestock Raisers in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Mary Y. A. Declaro-Ruedas firstname.lastname@example.com Leoniel S. Bais email@example.com
This study was conducted to determine the communication modalities used in extension program offered to livestock raisers in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. This study utilized the descriptive research method. The data were collected through questionnaire. All data was organized, classified, and interpreted using descriptive statistics. Results show that the small scale livestock raisers in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro were mostly male, middle aged, with low level of education and had been raising not more than five heads of livestock. Majority have a long experience of livestock production. Most of them rated the quality of support services provided to them as "good". One-on-one method is the most common communication modality used by the extension workers, however, the preferred modality is the conduct of seminar/conferences. The problems encountered on the adoption of technologies were the financial constraint, lack of institutional support, and the mismatch of the message and the communication media used by the extension worker.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2490 Impact of high yielding wheat varieties adoption on farm income of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia 2019-05-09T21:58:14+00:00 Regasa D. Wake firstname.lastname@example.com Degye G. Habteyesus email@example.com
The objective of this study was to assess impact of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties on farm income in Mao-Komo district of Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from sample of 174 farm households selected through two-stage stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Propensity score matching (PSM) applied to analyze the impact of adoption on farm income. The result of the PSM estimation showed that adoption of high yielding wheat varieties has significant impact on farm income of treated households as compared to the control groups. The treated households had earned farm income of about 21452 Ethiopian Birr per year while the untreated smallholders earned farm income of only 11141 Ethiopian Birr. The average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) of farm income of adopters is greater than non-adopters that has brought about 9 % increases in farm income of smallholders. The findings suggest that the government and stakeholders should need to focus on improving farm land and livestock productivity, strengthening the provision of education, and frequency of extension visits, encouraging participation in non-farm activities, creating reliable information and awareness towards farmers' perceptions, and improving infrastructures in the area. Finally, further support of high yielding wheat varieties adoption should be given due attention for its impact on farm income generation of smallholders.

 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2651 Participatory potato (solanum tuberosum l.) variety development in Ethiopia. A review 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Getachew E. Gemechu firstname.lastname@example.com
Participatory potato variety development includes the identification of the main components, participants and stakeholders, their roles, types of interactions and constraints identified in the system. Some research result indicate that, there is a less complex potato innovation system was observed at the plot site of Ethiopia and a more complex and dynamic system was observed in the case of Peru. Many Achievements were gained by participatory potato variety development in different part of Ethiopia. In southern Ethiopia, Umbulowach, Hawassa Zuria Wereda of Sidama Zone; Marachere variety was preferred by farmers for its excellent response in yield and other traits. In Tigray region of Atsbi woreda, from seven varieties three best performing varieties: Jalene, Gera, and Gudene were selected for their disease resistance and other quality traits. In North-western Ethiopia, With aid of CASCAPE project in South Achefer, Burie and Jabitehenan Districts, Belete variety was selected for its superior yield, disease and insect tolerance; In West shewa, at Jeldu, Dendi, Wolmera and Degem district, both Farmers Field School (FFS) and Farmers research Group (FRG) were established and a chances were given Farmers to select potato clones suitable to their conditions based on late blight disease resistance and yield. As a result, farmer's ranked as 1st, a potato clone CIP–392650.516 which is the highest yielder and late blight resistant among the tested clones); in Jimma area kersa (serbo), Seka Chekorsa and Dedo Districts, Farmers select Abalolarge 1 st, abateneh 2 nd and Gudane 3 rd as three high yielder variety and in Jimma and Illuababora zone area, variety "Guasa" was selected due to its earliness, high yield advantage and market demand.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2744 Quantitative framework for coffee leaf rust (hemileia vastatrix), production and futures 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Laura H Kahn email@example.com
The livelihood of at least 120 million people worldwide depends on the coffee supply chain. Coffee rust is among the main diseases that attack the coffee plant and is caused by the Hemileia vastatrix fungus at temperatures between 10 - 30° C. Coffee rust infestation leads to production losses of over $1 billion annually worldwide. Coffee is the second largest traded commodity worldwide, with about $100 billion in volume traded annually. Understanding if there is a relationship between Temperature, Rainfall, Rust, Production and Futures coffee rust variables is important. This research offers the first known quantitative framework for describing and visualizing the correlation between coffee rust, amount of coffee produced and futures prices.
. 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2814 Indigenous chicken production environments, reproductive and productive performances and constraints in kaffa zone, south western Ethiopia 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Abiyu Tadele email@example.com Aberra Melesse firstname.lastname@example.com Mestawet Taye firstname.lastname@example.com
The main objective of this study was to describe the production systems, productive performances and associated constraints of indigenous chicken populations in Kaffa Zone. From ten districts of Kaffa Zone, three districts were purposively selected based on their potential for indigenous chicken population and accessibility. From each rural kebeles those households who possess a minimum of five mature indigenous chicken were purposively selected. Then, data on both qualitative and quantitative variables were collected from 300 purposively selected households using a semi-structured questioner. The results indicated that majority of the respondent were female (71.1%) and 56% of them were illiterate. The average family size per household was 5.86. Farmers mainly keep their chickens in the kitchen (60.7%) and main houses (30.7 %). Maize (55.7 %) and sorghum (20.3 %) were the major feed supplements provided by the households. The average chicken flock size, age at first egg (months), average egg/hen/clutch (clutch size), clutch number and annual egg/hen/year were 8.68, 6.09, 12.3, 3.6 and 44, respectively. The average hatchability was 80.5%. The major production constraints were predators (72.7 %) and diseases (27.3 %) across the studied districts. The type of predators which are commonly occurring included Buteo jamaicensis locally known as "Gace", Helogale hirtula locally known as "Shiifoo" or "Wociwoco", Felis silvestris locally known as "Haallaro" and Felis catus locally known as "Kubbi Kullaro" accounted about 54.6, 24.4, 15.5, and 5.5 % respectively. The effective population size and rate of inbreeding were 486 and 0.111% indicating chicken populations in the study area are not exposed to inbreeding. In conclusion, the current study indicates illiterate female farmers were mainly involved in care and managing of chickens under scavenging system. The performances of chickens were comparable with the national reports under scavenging system; however, these performances were influenced by predators and diseases. Therefore, educating and training women's should be implemented to improve the overall socio-economic status of the family and benefit them. In addition, successful intervention strategy should be carried out to effectively utilize the existing potentials of indigenous chicken populations in line with predator and disease control programs. Again, conservation of the indigenous chicken populations should also be considered before they have been diluted with exotic breeds
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2486 Identification and prioritization of agricultural risks with special context of rice crop in the Punjab, Pakistan 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Muhammad Iftikhar email@example.com Ghazanfar A. Khan firstname.lastname@example.com Jawad Hussain email@example.com
This study was conducted to explore the production and marketing risks as perceived by the rice growers. The study was conducted in District Sheikhupura of Punjab province. The study area is fully conducive for rice cultivation. Of the rice-growing farmers, 100 were purposively selected to interview. Data were collected through interview Schedule and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results depicted that the prominent risks appeared "high prices of inputs", "price conflict between farmers, labour and buyer", "fluctuations in the prices of inputs" and "high/low rainfall". While the prominent coping strategy emerged as "information sharing with the community". In this context, there should be some sound policies for price control of inputs. Moreover, the conflicts among the farmers, labour and buyer should be reduced by opting the conflict resolution strategy according to the situation. There is a need for effective and strengthened information sharing system for farmers.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2733 Assessment of socio-economic factors affecting the utilization of manual screw press for gari production in Kwara state, Nigeria 2019-05-09T21:50:05+00:00 Adegbola A. Jacob firstname.lastname@example.com Wegh F. Shagbaor email@example.com Ikwuba A. Agbanugo email@example.com Nwafor S. Chimela firstname.lastname@example.com
This study investigated socio-economic determinants of utilization of manual screw press for cassava mash dehydration for gari production in four local government areas across the ADP zones in Kwara state, Nigeria. Using random sampling technique and a semi-structured questionnaire as a research instrument, data for the study were collected from a sample of three hundred and eighty-four (384) gari processors who use the screw press in the state. Multiple regression analysis shows that a correlation (R=0.678) exist between utilization of the screw press and the independent variables which include age, household size, level of education, years of processing experience, extension visits, and income from gari processing. R2 value of 0.460 indicates that about 46% of the variation in utilization was explained by socio-economic variables included in the regression model. Three variables significantly influenced the decision of the respondents to utilize the manual screw press: age, level of experience, and income; the most important predicator being income with a Beta value of 0.699. Conclusively, it was recommended among others that research, extension, and policy makers consider the significant determinants identified in the study seriously if increased utilization is to be achieved by gari processors and others similar to them in the study area and the region.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension https://escijournals.net/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2793 Livelihood diversification and its impact on cocoa production in Morobe and East New Britain Provinces of Papua New Guinea 2019-05-09T21:58:39+00:00 William Kerua email@example.com
Cocoa is an important cash crop of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Despite considerable Government investment, with its technical research, development, and extension (RD&E) focus, productivity remains less than potential. This study was carried out to establish the livelihood activities diversification and impact on cocoa production of selected areas of Morobe and East New Britain Provinces of PNG. The specific objective was to establish whether farmers' livelihood diversification activities affected cocoa production of the study areas. A cross-sectional descriptive study, in the context of phenomenological reflection involving semi-structured interviews and discussions was used to study the livelihood diversity and its implications on cocoa production in the selected provinces. Data were analysed using NVivo software. It was found that the main causes of farmer engagement of diversified livelihood activities were due to: land shortage, land tenure, minimising risk, cultural factors, farming system practices, opportunities, comparative advantage, and with the effects of modern changes. The main rationale behind such diversified livelihood activities was to raise household's income portfolio and to improved status in the community. Consequently, smallholder farmers do not put full effort into cocoa production.
 2019-04-25T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2019 International Journal of Agricultural Extension


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Is it possible to exchange data with CRM or other systems?
Is Mobsted PWA RESTful?
One of the major part of Mobsted progressive apps making platform is the built in functionality of integration with various external systems. In this article you will find general explanation of ways to exchange data. To learn the details please refer to Automations and to External Data for more detailed info, or if you are a developer you may want to proceed to API section on our site, where REST API generator is located.
General info
Mobsted API is based on REST.
A lot of internal work of the system is done by making the same API calls available for the outside use. Meaning that you can call and manage anything Mobsted has from your outside system, wether it is a CRM, ERP or a simple accounting system.
For example our integration with Intuit's Quickbooks is called Bill2.me and it is a fully ready integration which you can start using within one hour. Also our Visual IVR product has prebuilt connections to CRM systems and IP telephony, which you can also start using within a day.
What can be managed by API
Objects and its data, Events and its data, Applications, Filters, Triggers, various actions within an App, like sending an sms invitation to an AppUser. A full list of methods is available in the API Section.
Pre-built Integrations
All the pre-built integrations can be divided into two types - "system critical" and "business preferable". System critical are for example those that work with instant messengers, which are an essential part of Mobsted multichannel PWA.Business preferable is everything else and can also be divided into 3 main blocks:
- Communications: like an SMS provider for a specific country
- Payments: to facilitate the process of adding payment capabilities, like Stripe, Paypal, Braintree, etc.
- Business data systems: which are very specific to each buisness case
All of these are available in various parts of the Mobsted platform. For example payments are set.
We are constantly working on adding more pre-built integrations with the popular business systems, for example, right now there is work in progress on pre-building connectors to Intuit's Quickbooks and Microsoft Office 365. So all businesses using Mobsted would be able to connect apps to their data even quicker. If you want to pre-built an integration and sell it to certain customers, please connect with us at email@example.com.
It can be also a pre-built Operation to an external system, like MS Office 365, or QuickBooks, or SalesForce. Our team pre-builds these connectors using requests from various businesses and their needs. Please submit your request using firstname.lastname@example.com and we will respond with possible timing.
Making and using own API connectors
It is very hard to cover so many various products with pre-built connectivity. So we have a way to create your own API operations ONCE and to use these operations as much as necessary within your Mobsted app builder account.
Use _Operations constructor_ to add and save your own connections to external systems. These Operations you create will be available though out your Mobsted Tenant.
If an API request you need to make to your system has several logical steps, due to that API's architecture, you can use our built in API interpreter. Take a case for a car related app where you need to show a list of black Toyota Camrys less than 2 years old.
Often API can work like:
- Get all Toyotas
- Of that get all Camrys
- Of that get all under 2 years
- Of that get all black
Which is 4 consecutive API calls and a need to store what came in from the previous steps to make a new selection. For a mobile front it is better to get all at once, when user makes a choice of a black Camry, so our built in interpreter will make one request from a user into 4 requests for the API. This is only opened by request for your system, so please contact us at email@example.com and ask for the API interpreter.
Another way to integrate is to use API documentation. It is parted into sections based on what it does and can provide you calls needed in most popular web programming languages, so you can choose what suits you the most. If you somehow can not find an API call needed or need to have something that is not on the list, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be glad to help.
There are some pre-built integrations, but are not offered in the system. This integrations are only offered through partnerships with business software makers who complement their current offerings with Mobsted capabilities. In those cases Mobsted with pre-built APIs is only available to business clients through those partners. Examples are real estate management software, systems for HORECA, Ubilling software for utilities or telecom industries, among others. If you are related to a business software with a range of business customers.
We are always opened to discussion of how can Mobsted multichannel mobile tech can add value to any existing software system. We love to partner up with software vendors in various verticals, from billing systems to CRM systems so these systems bring more value to the businesses the serve. You may want to read an article on How Mobsted can be used or just contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com or in any way fit for you.

subset: commoncrawl


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A huge thank you to one of our strongest supporters, Laura Lavan who created an amazing sculpture of our logo to be displayed in the Lambaye Learning Center!Read More
More than 50 students, parents, and community members came out to run with us today. Students handed out finisher ribbons at the end of the Kids Gobbler Race and everyone had a wonderful time. This event caps off one of our most successful fundraisers ever!
On our largest service-learning trip to Senegal, 29 MHS students had the opportunity to visit Lambaye, see the Learning Center itself, and help with the construction. It was a truly life changing experience for the students.Read More
We raised over $30,000 to fund the education of children in Senegal. Thank You!Read More


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Full Demo
September 18, 2018
Wav:485.3MB • 232 x WAV 44.1 kHz, 24-bit.
Audioteknik's Underground FX sample collection packs over 550MB of dancefloor-primed sound FX, expressive atmospheres, dark pads & textures and freak-vocals giving you all you need to add those extra special flourishes and complex finishing touches to your tracks.
This pack is suitable for Deep House, Tech House, Minimal House and Techno
Pack Details:
• 65 Textures
• 13 Vocals
*Other genres that this package may be useful in:
• Deep House
• House
• Tech House
• Techno


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20 - 24 April
AH Metal Solution
AH Metal Solutions is a leading Danish manufacturer of small high precision metal stamping and deep drawing components. Since 1975, AH has been supplying customized parts for the Medical Devices, Electronics and Automotive industry, among others. Today we produce more than 1,5 billion parts.
The main areas of business are within Hearing Aid, ECG electrodes, Injections devices, Consumer Electronics/MEMS and Automotive contacts and sockets.
AH Metal Solution focus on creating innovative progressive stamping solutions in close cooperation and dialogue with our customers to secure long term and cost optimized components and solutions.
In-house prototyping, tool design, construction, and production is the basis for sharing knowledge and offering the highest level of quality and flexibility to our customers.
AH Metal Solution is certified with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015
Stored items


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Yokohama Tire says its 712L long-haul drive tire meets severe snow service criteria
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Yokohama Tire said Monday its 712L, a new long-haul drive tire, meets the industry's required performance criteria for severe snow service.
Manufactured in Yokohama's plant in West Point, Mississippi, all four sizes of the SmartWay-verified 712L — 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5, 285/75R24.5 and 11R24.5 — will carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall.
"Applying the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol verifies the capabilities of the 712L in adverse weather," said Tom Clauer, Yokohama's senior manager of commercial and OTR product planning. "The deep-tread 712L offers superb traction, outstanding wear resistance, top-tier fuel efficiency, plus tough, durable construction, making it an excellent year-round tire for fleets."
Clauer said other benefits of the 712L include:
- Advanced wear resistance. This is attributed to the 30/32-inch deep groove for long-lasting life and traction, without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Plus, stress control grooves reduce contact pressure at the tread edge, providing increased resistance to shoulder step down wear for long, even wear. Additionally, a flat footprint controls ground contact pressure and improves resistance to irregular wear.
- Outstanding fuel-efficiency and traction. This is achieved by the fuel-efficient tread compound that was developed for reduced rolling resistance without compromising wear performance. Also, straight and angled sipes – as well as zig-zag intermediate grooves – provide greater radial and lateral traction. And, straight circumferential outer grooves allow for water evacuation and enhanced traction even in the worst weather conditions.
- Durable construction. This occurs via the funnel-shaped grooves that prevent stones and other debris from reaching the bottom groove, where casing damage can often occur. The 712L's premium casing is so tough, Yokohama backs it with a 7-year, unlimited retread warranty.
For more details on the 712L and all of Yokohama's commercial tires, visit www.yokohamatruck.com.
Celebrating its 50th year in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917.
Truck-Lite integrates PSI tire management solutions into Road Ready system
FALCONER, N.Y. – Truck-Lite Co., LLC, a worldwide leader in LED lighting, telematics, engine protection, safety and visibility systems, has integrated Pressure Systems International (PSI) automatic tire inflation and tire pressure monitoring systems data into the Road Ready system via its SmartBridge Integrator (SBI).
Released in 2018, the SBI bridges OE trailer systems with the Road Ready network, which communicates crucial trailer data to a fleet dispatcher and provides greater insight into a trailer environment. The recent integration with PSI allows any fleet to access critical tire data and avoid downtime by taking preventive action.
"Working with PSI to develop this technology brings us a step closer to a smart-trailer reality," said Rob Richard, general manager of Truck-Lite's Road Ready division. "We look forward to continued collaboration with PSI to deliver even more enhanced data to fleets."
The SBI will transmit data from both the PSI Trailer ATIS and TireView TPMS, which work together to provide critical data regarding tire health. The integration with Road Ready makes this data available to a fleet's back office through the Road Ready user interface.
"Our ATIS and TPMS solutions allow fleets to improve uptime and lower CSA scores while simultaneously allowing the driver to focus on driving and optimizing their hours of service (HOS)," said Jonathan Gravell, vice president of business development for PSI. "Integrating PSI systems into Road Ready helps fleets to drive down operating costs and diagnose issues before they become real problems."
The Road Ready system by Truck-Lite is the leading wireless, multi-functional trailer monitoring network and is easily customizable for any fleet requirement. With its suite of wireless sensors and the largest number of OE trailer system and fleet software integrations, Road Ready provides the most comprehensive and inclusive fleet telematics solution available.
For more information, visit www.roadreadysystem.com.
Volvo Trucks brings Volvo Dynamic Steering to North American market
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), what the company describes as a world-class technical innovation, is an ultra-responsive steering system designed to lessen steering force up to 85%, helping reduce driver fatigue and increase road safety.
VDS will be available as an option in the Volvo VNL and VNR models in early 2020.
"Drivers are the trucking industry's biggest assets, and opportunities to increase driver recruitment and retention are top-of-mind for our customers," said Chris Stadler, product marketing manager, Volvo Trucks North America. "Providing state-of-the-art features that improve drivers' physical working conditions and comfort is an important aspect of driver satisfaction, as well as increasing overall productivity and road safety."
VDS is an active steering system that features an electric motor mounted on top of the hydraulic steering gear. Input from multiple vehicle sensors, at over 2,000 times per second, determine the appropriate steering wheel response. The system continuously monitors drivers' actions, environmental factors and road conditions faster than the blink of an eye. The motor provides additional torque when needed to keep the truck safely on the road. This supports driver reactions with greater control and less abrupt maneuvering, Stadler said.
First launched by Volvo Trucks in Europe, VDS is ideal for diverse and changing terrains and automatically adjusts to handle any roadway condition. From rough roads to tight maneuvers in urban environments, VDS can help drivers navigate unexpected situations such as pot holes and rapid tire deflations, providing up to nine ft.-lb. of torque in the steering column.
Stadler said key VDS features include:
- Vehicle Stability Control leads to increased directional stability on the highway, which offers a more relaxed and safe driving experience with full control at all speeds.
- Return-to-Center, or Zero Return enables the steering wheel to return to the center position when the vehicle is in motion, making it easier to reverse the vehicle and maneuver in tight areas.
- Dampening allows the steering system to filter inputs from the road surface and, based on feedback from multiple sensors, helps improve handling and vehicle stability.
- Lead/Pull Compensation provides a torque offset within the steering system to compensate for crowned roads, steady crosswinds and other short-term conditions that can affect handling.
With more controlled steering, VDS helps reduce operational fatigue by filtering road vibration and noise through the steering wheel, Stadler said, adding that repetitive motions because of varying roadway conditions and maneuvering actions could cause physical discomfort, which can be lessened when using this system. In fact, testing has shown that VDS has the potential to cut muscular strain by up to 30% and for some specific motions, strain can be reduced up to 70%.
"Volvo Trucks' new feature brings value and support to our customers and professional drivers," Stadler said. "With the VDS system, we see increased productivity for our customers and decreased fatigue for drivers. In addition, it contributes to improved stability and control of the vehicle, thereby increasing road safety."
Production starts on Freightliner Cascadia with advanced safety solutions
PORTLAND, Ore. — Production of the Freightliner Cascadia with enhanced safety and aerodynamic solutions has begun.
A Daimler Trucks North America official said the new truck provides customers with a vehicle that is safer, more fuel efficient and offers a better driver experience than ever before.
Kelly Gedert, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks and Detroit Components, said Detroit Assurance 5.0 is now standard with Freightliner Cascadias powered by Detroit engines.
He said this proprietary radar and camera fused system features standard active safety and advanced driver assistance technologies designed to keep drivers, other motorists and pedestrians safe, including:
- Adaptive Cruise Control to 0 MPH: Automatically decelerates and accelerates to maintain a safe following distance. In stop-and-go-traffic, if the vehicle in front stops, the truck will also come to a stop and hold indefinitely. If the vehicle ahead moves in less than two seconds, the truck will resume moving at a safe following distance.
- Active Brake Assist 5.0 – Full Braking on Moving Pedestrian: When a moving pedestrian enters the truck's path, Detroit Assurance 5.0 applies input from the radar and camera sensors to warn the driver using visual and audible warnings simultaneously with partial emergency braking. If the driver doesn't act, full emergency braking brings the truck to a complete stop.
Additionally, new standard features with Detroit Assurance 5.0 include automatic wipers/headlamps, Intelligent High Beam, and traffic sign display.
Gedert said Side Guard Assist is an optional feature available with Detroit Assurance 5.0 that detects objects, including pedestrians and cyclists, in the passenger-side blind spot along the full length of the tractor and trailer.
"Helping keep motorists and pedestrians safe is our top priority, and the advanced technologies and groundbreaking innovations of Detroit Assurance 5.0 can help mitigate collisions and reduce unplanned expenses and downtime for our customers," Gedert said. "Detroit Assurance 5.0 illustrates our commitment to increasing safety for everyone on the road."
Active Lane Assist, an optional feature available in early 2020, consists of Lane Departure Protection and Lane Keep Assist. With Lane Departure Protection, if the truck begins to drift from its lane without the turn signal activated, a rumble sound, along with a visual warning, will alert the driver. The system will then counter steer the truck back into its lane. When Adaptive Cruise Control is enabled, Lane Keep Assist uses micro-steering movements to keep the new Cascadia centered in its detected lane. With the addition of lateral steering assist offered by the optional Active Lane Assist feature, in combination with Adaptive Cruise Control, Freightliner and Detroit will begin delivering the first production SAE Level 2 automated truck in North America.
Gedert said enhancements to all three aerodynamic packages for the Cascadia further improve the Cascadia's industry-leading fuel performance. The Standard package now includes A-pillar deflectors, tow hook covers and side extender seals. The Aero package adds enhanced chassis fairing skirts and the AeroX package features an optimized low ground clearance bumper, optimized roof deflector, optimized drive wheel fairings and front wheel well closeouts.
Additional aerodynamic options available include the industry first Aerodynamic Height Control, which electronically lowers the suspension height one inch at 55 miles per hour to optimize airflow over and under the front of the truck and reduce drag. Michelin X Line D+ Energy tires, developed in collaboration with Michelin and exclusive to the Cascadia, are also available and reduce rolling resistance in 6×4 applications. All of the new aerodynamic features available on Cascadia provide up to a five percent increase in fuel efficiency over the current model.
"Our new aerodynamic options demonstrate our dedication to helping our customers achieve the best possible performance from their trucks," Gedert said. "Freightliner continues to set the bar higher when it comes to designing features that provide better performance and enhanced efficiency."
Critical to the Cascadia's performance is the Integrated Detroit Powertrain. The powerful combination of either Detroit DD15 or DD13 engines, the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission, and Detroit axles seamlessly works together to maximize performance.
A key update for the Cascadia from Detroit is Intelligent Powertrain Management 6 (IPM6), which comes standard with the DT12. Like earlier IPM technology, IPM6 integrates pre-loaded terrain maps and GPS into engine and transmission functions to know the route ahead and uses the truck's kinetic energy to automatically adjust to its surroundings by reducing braking power and making transmission and engine adjustments. With the introduction of IPM6, map coverage of existing major highways and interstates has increased by 35%.
Gedert said another benefit of the powerful combination of Cascadia and Detroit designed to improve uptime is the Cascadia Maintenance System. This onboard monitoring system computes optimal maintenance intervals based on actual operating conditions of the vehicle. The system utilizes oil temperature data and other inputs to more accurately determine oil change intervals, and it improves additional service recommendations based on engine and transmission load data.
Lane Departures: Why would California lawmakers saddle trucking with the ABC test?
Trucking submarine style in Texas
Flooding in Texas – That cab's gonna be a bit damp!
Trucker lets out a good belly laugh as he rolls past the weigh station
Trucking submarine style in Texas
Flooding in Texas – That cab's gonna be a bit damp!
The Nation2 days ago
Trucker lets out a good belly laugh as he rolls past the weigh station
The Nation2 days ago
Trucking submarine style in Texas
The Nation2 days ago
Flooding in Texas – That cab's gonna be a bit damp!
The Nation1 day ago
Lane Departures: Why would California lawmakers saddle trucking with the ABC test?
The Nation2 days ago
Dashcam catches multicounty chase of stolen semi
The Nation3 days ago
Speeding tops list of citations issued during Operation Safe Driver Week
The Nation4 days ago
Study finds hair test 14.2 times more likely to spot drugs than urinalysis
Business2 days ago
Schneider now offers rail dray intermodal service


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Inspirational 49 Examples Codes Legends Of Speed Wiki
view mobile site undermine endgamehonest upsidedown all legends of speed codes insane secret codes 2019 they can then explore roblox aidanrncrobloxbearsquadlegends of speed codeslegends of speed roblox codeslegends of speed…
Disclaimer: All images of Calendar in this page are copyright of their respective owners. We don't own have these images of Calendar. We collect them from search engine and other sources to be used as ideas for you. No copyright infringement is intended. If you have reason to believe that one of our content is violating your copyrights, please do not take any legal action. You can contact us directly to be credited or have the item removed from the site.


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Huset believes in instinctive design, using intuition rather than a 'rules based' process, drawing inspiration from people and space rather than from trends.
Huset was started in 2007 when Alex Mcleod decided to anchor her years of collective design experience and worldly adventures within the Interior Landscape.
This was an opportunity to combine a unique passion for a NZ architectural vernacular with a touch of Scandinavian modernism.
In 2017 Huset was a category finalist in the Best Awards for Best Residential Interior
Huset is a registered member of the Designers Institute New Zealand


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After redesigning my website, I have decided to begin using my new site's blog space instead of Tumblr. However, everything that is my life up until this moment (in the past three years) has been recorded on my Tumblr account, so please feel free to check out some of the adventures and experiences that have made me who I am today.
Blog // Blog Archive


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Program Overview
The program is aimed at skill training in development and exploitation of information systems and technologies. It offers to explore specialized fields of study such as computer science, networks, big data, and cloud technologies.
The program mission is to train specialists in big data, building a foundation in new IT and big data technologies influence on the activity of big enterprises providing a possibility of raising management efficiency due to new technologies.
This peculiar program is aimed at business needs in a new technology. It considers a company or government body as a system with developed information infrastructure providing automated solutions to management tasks. This aspect comprises three categories of management functions, where implementation of big data technologies will facilitate generation of new characteristics of the activities in making decisions, projection, and control. The program approach "from tasks to technology" builds competencies important for specialists in order to accelerate IT implementation in practice as well as to make the technology and existing tools highly marketable.
The program offers to learn mathematical analysis; algebra and geometry; discrete mathematics; econometrics; probability theory and mathematical statistics; economic theory; management in IT; theoretical fundamentals of computer science; information processes, systems, and networks; programming; architecture of enterprise; data management; IT project management; modeling of processes and systems; organization theory; business and innovations in info-communication technologies.
The Master's program is aimed at building the following interdisciplinary competencies: mathematical and technological knowledge and skills to select, evaluate, analyze, and use IT tools and technologies; understanding business architecture, effects of new IT implementation including big data technologies on efficiency of enterprise management, and change of added value chain; management of IT systems and services implementation; research into analytics, stochastic optimization, predicting modeling, projection, enterprise data management, business analysis, economic and mathematical modeling.
Our graduates are equipped with skills and abilities to implement and assess company's technological and tool efficiency; manage enterprise data (Data Management); implement and apply analytical and decision support tools based on big data technologies as well as to apply Decision Management approach; develop new information infrastructure models for enterprise considering big data potentials (Model Management); assess efficiency and implement cloud technologies; operate ERP systems (without development function)
Career Options
The program graduates are most in demand at big companies and organizations storing big data arrays including external data centers, and interested in using huge data arrays; IT-companies and research organizations; educational institutions interested in the development of modern educational models based on educational and academic analytics – a specific area of activity for the graduates.
Program taught in:
- English
See 1 more programs offered by Irkutsk National Research Technical University »
per year


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Green Your Wardrobe With Ecological Friendly Fibres
Many individuals are actually interested in keeping some high-quality hobby which they can subsist all the way through their life. Hobby is somewhat that you carry out in your daily schedule and then ultimately it becomes a compilation of many things. Many individuals have found to be in the pastime of knitting and they bring together different indispensable things for knitting as well. Gathering a different kind of fabrics and fibres is also the component of the hobby of those individuals who are fond of knitting. Many individuals are anxious whether their hobby is ecological friendly or not. For the reason that there can be such proceedings that can give damage to the environment, accordingly they have to be cautious about that.
Some fibres are ecologically friendly and they have no outcome on the surroundings when they are exercised or burnt. One such category includes bamboo yarn. Bamboo is acknowledged to be a very environment friendly matter whose wood is also very helpful from the ecological viewpoint. Bamboo fibre has no other detrimental material that could lead to any damaging effect to the surrounding. Some individuals are very much sensitive to fibre stuff and they cannot take in air appropriately if fibre is around them. However, bamboo fibre is free of any sensitive material.
Corn yarn is another category of fibre that is made from the stuff of corn acknowledged as corn fibre. This category of fibre is moderately new than other fibre stuff available in the marketplace. The most excellent thing about this category of fibre is that you can not only clean this fibre, but you can also carry out the clean-up purposes in the dryer. This kind of fibre has extensive strands and can be utilised to make many knitting materials. It is very environment-friendly and it is tremendously soft as evaluated to the rest of the categories of fibres.
The stipulations for this kind of fibre to clean is that you necessitate cold water to wash it, if not the softness and gentleness get diminished with the passage of time. The fibre is also non-sensitive and has no damaging effects on the body. All these categories of fibres are obtainable at rational prices and with the assistance of these fibres, now you can develop your leisure pursuit of knitting and can manufacture fine-looking yarn material for your appreciated ones.
It's turning out to be trendy to be ecologist but anything that facilitates in preserving the environment. One conclusion of all this propaganda about being environmental is that progressively more individuals are turning to normal and natural garments. On the other hand, one thing that most individuals do not recognise is that when you relinquish utilising synthetics and turn to ecological, renewable resources for outfits, further than anybody else, they are serving themselves. Garments made from biologically grown natural fibres are skin responsive and maintain you at ease all day long. If you consider that cotton and wool are the only accepted fibres, it's time for a veracity check.


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A Dialectic Nature: Ryan Bubnis and Jeff Pfeil at Stephanie Chefas Projects
New works by Ryan Bubnis and Jeff Pfeil are currently on display at Stephanie Chefas Projects.
From The Ground Up by Bubnis and Rhizome by Pfeil could appear at first glance to be extended paintings from a similar, if not the very same, project. Their vibrant hues and interpretive subjects coalesce well within the gallery space. Aesthetically, the curatorial decision to feature these two artists in congruity is visually stimulating and apt. Thematically, however, these artists employ wildly different approaches to the content they paint. Bubnis hovers on a cheery and reflective surface; his intention is that of unadulterated joy and entertainment. In contrast, Pfeil's more formal approach to his work appears to employ more structured intonations of color theory and composition which would serve no role in Bubnis' lighthearted canvases. Thus, this juxtaposition of taste and artistic intentions offers an opportunity for engaging dialogue centered around the specifics of form, color, and technique.
In From The Ground Up, Bubnis mixes comical, organic forms with figurative caricatures of roller skating cats, smiling apples, detached animal paws and cartoon characters. For his second showing at Stephanie Chefas Projects, Bubnis presents colorful assemblages, textiles and ceramic work that are bounciful in nature and content. The exhibition bears the same name as a self-published zine the artist began in 2009 that highlights similar themes of youthful exuberance and jouissance. This new series of paintings and sculptures functions almost like a call to action to gallery-goers, communicating a desire to be carefree and to return to one's childlike roots. Nostalgia plays a heavy factor in this series.
What first draws viewers to these pieces is their liberal application of ecstatic colors. While at first glance the tones might not necessarily seem to coalesce with one another, upon closer inspection it is precisely their contrasting hues that make them curious and appealing to the eye. As in "They Came From Ground Up" bright pinks are placed next to sharp shades of blues and greens, all on a gray, almost marbled background. The canvas appears at times paint splattered or crumpled, heavily layered with paint, yet the precision with which lines and forms are executed is sharp and exact. Vaguely reminiscent of Pop Art with a contemporary spin, the quadraning off of geometric segments and inclusion of dots and stripes gives room for the works to breathe and be treated formally, yet not stiflingly.
The title attributed to this exhibition is cheeky, playing in line with the subject matter. A majority of Bubnis's paintings prominently feature various sliced fruits as well plant-like growths blooming out of fun pots and vases. In the case of "Blow The Horn" one such plant is seen emerging out of the bell of the horned instrument. One may question the presence of a plant in this setting, but the oversaturation of color and styles on the canvas quickly distracts and leaves little room for unnecessary introspection. Bubnis, perhaps as a result of his name, does not shy away from the bubbly in his painterly disposition and I find the inclusion of these elements to be far from frivolous. The whimsical nature of these works, both in execution and construction (the exhibition also contains a portion of paintings on done on paint stirrers) is generous and imbues humor into these pieces.
Whereas Bubnis's work is shown in the main space of the gallery, Pfeil's is nestled in The Annex of Stephanie Chefas Projects offering a more intimate viewing experience. In botany, a rhizome is creeping, subterranean, and wide-spreading; a mass of roots and stems that continuously extends underground and consumes a space. Rhizome as constructed by the artist similarly expands beyond the limits of the canvases to fully encompass the back room space. Toeing the line between realism and abstraction, these works by Jeff Pfeil are highly controlled in their depictions of natural elements and playful use of color theory. Science and geography becomes translated in line and gradients with these works, alluding to the tremendous skill with which they are laboriously and carefully crafted. This reexamination of our universe serves to put into conversation they way one interacts with one's natural surroundings. What these paintings illuminate is that such interactions are entirely subjective, susceptible to change at the first shift in perspective.
Combining acrylic and spray paint on canvas, Pfeil mixes these different mediums to work outside the confines that limit and distinguish low and high art. These paintings almost double as studies in entomology considering Pfeil's incredibly detailed renderings of critters taking up the prominent part of the canvases. These scientific drawings are detailed but incomplete, leaving an element of deciphering the status of the bug to the imagination of the viewer. Nonetheless, the artist's stylistic rendering of their shells pays due tribute to their true wild forms. At once, they are both accurate and entirely open to interpretation. Their form is recontextualized first at Pfeil's hand, and then at the gaze of the viewer.
Just as in the series by Bubnis, the color palette employed here by Pfeil is striking and visually jarring at first. The smooth backgrounds -- either in pale blue or pink, or the single canvas done in a more sharp yellow -- give solid ground to the disparate elements positioned atop. These compositions are less organic than Bubnis's and much more formulaic in their order. The elements of the paintings are three-fold and always repeated in the same vertical pattern of a body of a bug, a linear composition done in spray paint, and a series of geometric blocks of various colors. This consistency lends a steady and even calming effect that the somewhat overwhelming paintings by Bubnis do not. While the inclusion of spray paint may seem at odds with the works, the control needed for its use should not be underestimated. What appears to be the most slipshod and quickly done aspect of these works is, I would propose, perhaps the most highly calculated. Having less ability to be in command of the aerosol can than a paintbrush, one small error in pressure has the loaded potential to drastically morph the whole painting. And perhaps, this precarity is precisely what Pfeil is attempting to emphasize, the ability of the rhizome to grow in unprecedented directions.
Both Pfeil and Bubnis successfully cultivate an energetic mood within the space of Stephanie Chefas Projects. Their contrasting thematics intentionally differ only so as to meld coherently on a broader scale, at the hand of their intensity and similar treatment of pigment and structure.
From The Ground Up and Rhizome will be on view at Stephanie Chefas Projects until April 28, open Thursdays-Saturdays from 1-6pm.
*All images are courtesy of Stephanie Chefas Projects.


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What a splendid day the Marple Lime Kilns Discovery Day turned out to be. After a week of rain the sun shone brightly all day. The opportunity to learn about the Lime Kilns' history and architecture, and to catch glimpses of the pad stones which supported the rails of the tramway system, attracted visitors all day long.
Half hourly tours took place throughout the day and afterwards visitors could view the
information stands, video screens and research material on display at the Forces Club.
This is the first public event at the Lime Kilns as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded 'Revealing Oldknow's Legacy' 3 year project.
The project, which is run by the Mellor Archaeological Trust and Canal and River Trust, covers three sites from the Industrial Revolution and tells the story of Samuel Oldknow, the industrial entrepeneur, responsible for so much of the Marple we see today. The civic society worked in partnership with the project to deliver the Lime Kilns Discovery Day.
A further project is planned in October this year; one of 3 consecutive annual community events to uncover more archaeological evidence at the Lime Kilns site and discover more of its history. The October event is likely to be a community dig following the tramway across Oldknow's recreation ground.
If you are interested in becoming a 'Friend' of the Lime Kilns, would like to get involved in the community dig in October or just find out more about the projects please get in touch with the projects's activity officer:
Pamela Pearson: email@example.com or call/text 07825 044379
Thanks to Arthur Procter for taking the photos
Thanks to Arthur Procter for taking the photos


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Next Weekend's Extravagant Design Show
The Houston Alumnae of Kappa Alpha Theta have rebranded their popular annual Theta Charity Antiques Show. As they celebrate the showcase's 65th year, the sorority expanded the concept to include an array of design dealers. The charity show's new name? Theta Design Weekend (December 1-3).


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Overall this is a great animated movie that while it's not perfect, it's still fun to watch and well made. I expect it to at least be in the running for animated movie of the year and would even be a bit surprised if it didn't get the award. So go see it and enjoy! I'm giving it an 8 out of 10.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Brave Review
Overall this is a great animated movie that while it's not perfect, it's still fun to watch and well made. I expect it to at least be in the running for animated movie of the year and would even be a bit surprised if it didn't get the award. So go see it and enjoy! I'm giving it an 8 out of 10.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
2012 NBA Finals Predictions
It's been quite the journey this season. It's a season that will definitely be remembered in ways that are both good and bad. Bad because it was almost a lost season. Good because in the nick of time things worked out. Yes, that is the lockout we are talking about. And it was especially scary going into it at the beginning of last summer because there was the potential of no NFL or NBA. And yes, I know. I am a spoiled sports fan, but that would've been tragic. So we made it. A shortened 66 game season that was quite intense as there were often weeks where teams had 4 or 5 games in a week. Add to that a shortened offseason beforehand that makes it tricky going in to things with little to no preparation for everyone. Just like in the good old days where a group of friends get together and play a game of basketball. You don't practice. You don't prepare. You just jump in and start playing. After all is said and done some realize that they need to practice a lot more than they do and others realize that playing basketball is like riding a bike to them. So that is what it was. 30 teams just jumped in there and started playing basketball. And now after 66 regular season games and three rounds in the playoffs in the books, we are left with just two teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat.
First off, let's look at the Thunder. After this past series, Greg Popavic said it best when he said their story is like a Hollywood script. The story really started back when the Seattle Sonics franchise collapsed. Bad coaching, bad ownership, and no support from the city of Seattle caused the crash that sent the team off to Oklahoma City to start over. No expected much from the Thunder once they got to OKC but with the combined effort of great coaching, ownership, and striking gold in the draft with some great young talent quickly sent this team soaring to the top of the league at a pace that surprised everyone. After last year's trip to the western conference finals, high expectations were given to this team and they lived up to it by grabbing the number two spot in the west. Sometimes the number two seed gets quite lucky with matchups, but the road for the Thunder at that spot was a tough and impressive one. First off they had to get through the defending champion Mavericks. Next up was Kobe Bryant and the relentless Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, the last obstacle in their way of making their first finals appearance was the Spurs, a team that was enjoying one of the best winning streaks in NBA history. A Hollywood script? For sure. I don't think a better one could be written. The Spurs, Lakers, and Mavericks have been the only three teams to come out of the west since the '98 Jazz. Add to that going 12-3 through all that is quite impressive. And now the grand finale is to go up against King James, D-Wade, and Bosh in a matchup against the Miami Heat.
So now the matchup. Heat vs Thunder. After that last paragraph you would all expect me to be cheering for the Heat in this one. Well, that's not quite accurate. I think Kevin Durant is one of the most classy players in the NBA and so I would love to see the Thunder win. And yes, like stated before, the Heat winning would make me happy as well so its really a win-win situation for me. And that makes it easy to analyze because I am not rooting for a specific team and so its completely unbiased. And at the same time it is hard because it is a really tough matchup to call. Either team winning wouldn't surprise me. Right now after those last two games against the Celtics, LeBron James and the Heat are really on fire and will be tough for the Thunder to knock off. Yet the Thunder have an impressive resume this post season, having just won four straight against the Spurs after the Spurs had won nearly 30 games in a row (if you don't count the two games they lost because they rested their big three) and gone up 2-0 against the Thunder. If the Thunder can do that, one would think that the Heat could be a challenge they could overcome. So it's quite even. In predicting an official outcome, I look at the 2-3-2 setup that always favors the team without home court advantage. The Heat losing one more game in the regular season could possibly be the best strike of luck that the Heat have had. The first two games will be in OKC and all the Heat have to do to gain a huge advantage is win one of those games and they will get 3 straight games in Miami. I am going to take that into account and thus say that the Miami Heat pull this off and win this series 4-2. But we'll see what happens. I will enjoy watching this series. It should be great!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Snow White and the Huntsman Review
here), I was right. This movie is quite awesome while Mirror Mirror is extremely lame.
First and foremost I want to address my biggest concern going in. Kristen Stewart. That bothered me. Here you have this amazing looking movie that seems to combine Snow White with Lord of the Rings and you cast Kristen Stewart as the lead role? Seriously? Ummmm.. yeah! I decided that I was going to give her a second chance and I'm glad I did because she actually did a rather good job. Now she wasn't extremely spectacular and drop dead gorgeous, but for the direction the movie was trying to go with it, she fit the role quite nicely. Normally when you think of Snow White, the image of Disney's classic Snow White character will come to your mind. This extremely, almost unnaturally happy lady with a high squeaky voice. She never gets mad, worried, or angry but is very positive and friendly to everyone. Nope. That's not what you get in this. Instead we are treated to a down to earth, human Snow White. This movie does not have the tone that Disney's Snow White does as it is very dark and menacing at times. Thus with this Snow White we get a young lady that has been locked up in a tower for many years and is just getting her first shot at fresh air that she's had in quite some time and with that comes the natural emotions of fear, uncertainty, and non-trust that makes her fragile at times. But add to that she tries to be brave and positive with a few moments of relaxation and happiness as well. This version of Snow White requires someone who can act. Did you know that Kristen Stewart can act and show emotion? Yeah, neither did I, but she can. And she does have a natural beauty to her. Snow White is supposed to be the fairest of them all. I wouldn't call Kristen Stewart the prettiest girl on earth, but they didn't need to cast that to make it work. Instead of making it look like a forced beauty, it is natural and human and I think it works quite well. I am impressed.
But now for a quick second, lets jump from one beauty to the other one. Charlize Theron as the evil Queen. Oh my flippin' goodness, she is so amazing in this. Quite honestly the perfect evil queen. The evil queen is supposed to be one of the fairest in the land and Charlize Theron is quite breathtaking in that manner. But oh she is so evil. And its a convincing evil, unlike Julia Robert's embarrassing failure in Mirror Mirror. And they do a great job of making her look old when the story line requires it as she switches back and forth from being old and ugly to young and beautiful again. So yeah, as is the case in Snow White, a big focus is placed on these two women which is great. The movie does like showing off the women just so you are forewarned if that bothers you, but I honestly didn't find it distracting and I am one that is usually more sensitive to that. Yes the queen has this thing where she likes to sit naked on occasion but all we see is her bare back in a couple of scenes. Yes, there are times where they both show off cleavage, like when Snow White is running and her dress falls off her shoulders or when it does an extreme close up of her with her slightly low cut dress. Like I said, it didn't bother me, but in being objective it is there if it bothers you.
But now that I've spent all that time on our two ladies, lets talk about the actual movie for a bit. It's not a happy Disney version of Snow White. It is closer to the Grimm Brother's version. There is a lot of action and a lot of dark scenes, which I think makes it awesome. I don't need to tell you what the story of Snow White is because you already know, but worth noting is that they do a good job of making it their own. It follows the typically Snow White story to start the movie with Snow White escaping, the queen sending the Huntsman to kill her, and the Huntsman finding her but not being able to do it. Where it digresses is in this version is after that. The Huntsman not only spares Snow White, but he stays with her the whole movie, becoming her protector as well as her mentor as they of course go on the quest to dethrone the wicked queen. Also unique to this story is the major Lord of the Rings esque battles that really add to this movie's awesomeness. With that in mind, the best part of the movie is easily the visual effects. They were quite amazing. I was a big fan of the costumes in the movie, especially the Queen's outfits. Also the music was great. All this added to a very beautiful movie going along with the interesting, action packed story line and the great acting for just about everyone.
Now was this movie perfect? No, it wasn't. I had really high expectations for this movie and while I really enjoyed it, it wasn't quite as epic as I imagined it being. The script could've used some work. I also felt like we could've spent a bit more time getting to know the characters much better. It seemed like once they were introduced, the movie expected you to automatically know who they are and what their role is and just jumped right into it. It also seemed a bit rushed as they tried to do too much. It felt like they crammed 3 or 4 hours of movie into one movie. They could've used this same story line and done two or three movies from it, which is honestly what I thought was going to happen because I had heard already that this was an intended trilogy. I expected the first third portion of the Snow White story with this but instead was given the whole story in one movie, which one caught me off guard with the way they finished it and two made extremely curious as to how they plan on doing a sequel to this, but I will leave it at that because an elaboration would require me to spoil the movie and I won't do that for you. The movie also felt really long despite all this. It was only two hours and seven minutes, but it felt like I was sitting there for three hours.
So like I said, it wasn't as great as I thought it would be. There are several imperfections, but overall I really enjoyed this movie. In deciding a number out of 10, a 7 seems a bit low while 8 may be a touch high, so I will go right in between that and give it a solid 7.5 out of 10 and strongly recommend you go see it. It is worth your money.
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Welcome to the counterjihad!
by CzechRebel on September 15, 2013
in CzechRebel (blog admin), Guatemala, Orthodox Christianity
by CzechRebel on May 24, 2013
in CzechRebel (blog admin), education, Guatemala, Orthodox Christianity
by 1389 on December 22, 2012
by 1389 on November 29, 2012
in 1389 (blog admin), Guatemala, Latin America, Orthodox Christianity, Pennsylvania
by 1389 on November 21, 2012
in 1389 (blog admin), Guatemala, Latin America, science and nature
28 Pages by Allen Mitchum
– a counterjihad novel
An investigation of a woman's gruesome murder uncovers a shocking Saudi conspiracy against the United States…
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Physical Retail is Dead. Or is it?
How physical stores can be good for your brand, even if everyone else is struggling.
Physical retail has been struggling these last few years – and the pain seems to be accelerating. In the US we've seen numerous businesses go into Chapter 11, including American Apparel, Claire's, Sears, The Limited and Toys R' Us.
We see the same in the UK and other parts of the world, with companies like BHS and Maplin disappearing from the high streets. And several retailers using a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) to force landlords to allow them to close stores or continue at much lower rents – e.g. Homebase, House of Fraser and Mothercare.
Most of these businesses are struggling because they'd over-expanded, were coming under pressure from online (online competition and their own volume shifting to online), and also – perhaps most critically – they had failed to stay relevant to their customers.
So is it all over for physical stores? It certainly doesn't look good, does it?
But perhaps not. While the big incumbents are undoubtedly struggling and closing stores, there are plenty of young, dynamic direct to consumer (DTC) brands opening up a focused number of stores around the world. Like Allbirds, Away, Deciem/ The Ordinary, Everlane, Glossier and Heist. We also see examples of people using pop-up stores and concessions (dedicated space in larger multi-brand stores) to good effect. So we're not talking about selling on the shelf in Wal-Mart, but instead spaces run exclusively by and for the brand.
Everlane has been a hugely successful clothing business based out of San Francisco – with sales through their own website. But they've now opened a couple of compact stores in New York and San Francisco to allow customers to experience the brand in person.
We also see food brands opening 'stores' – e.g. Deliciously Ella and Rude Health each have a café in London, allowing customers to taste and buy their products as well as experience the brand more broadly. This is an excellent, tangible way for the brand to come to life.
There are early signs that opening a small number of stores helps online sales. John Lewis (the UK department store) was finding this a decade ago. When they opened a new physical store, online sales in the region would increase 30-40%. And they found customers who shopped online as well as in store spent 3 times as much (compared to a customer who shopped in one channel).
More recently, Away has shared that online sales go up 40% when they open stores in the region – which is "meaningfully greater" than the growth in regions without a store. We've seen several businesses report 20% - 50% increases on the back of having a physical store in the area, including Bonobos, Casper and Hatch. There are even some early reports of customers who shop online and in-store spending 50% - 100% more with the business. Not as impressive as John Lewis's 3x from a decade ago – but not bad!
It's worth noting that some DTC businesses have opened stores in a more concerted way, for example Deciem have 30 stores and Warby Parker have over 80 already, both having started out online. This would require much more consideration. On the whole we don't think this is a good idea for most DTC businesses.
Looking at the economics of it all more closely, there are clearly lots of extra costs in rent and rates, labour and store fit out. But there are also savings in customer acquisition and delivery/ returns costs. Net profit often comes back to being pretty similar for DTC vs. the physical shop, albeit with a very different shape of costs between gross profit and net.
But the big win is really in allowing customers to experience the product and the brand at their best, first hand.
Many products benefit from the customer being able to see, touch, smell and maybe even taste and hear the product – tapping into the senses. We're thinking here of being able to try on cosmetics, find the scent of perfume you like best, taste the food, and even see how easy it is to clean your home (Dyson, the vacuum cleaner business, have a store where they throw dirt on the floor so you can clean it up with their products …). All of which helps to boost conversion.
A small number of outstanding stores is also a great way for the brand to show the customer (and their own business) what good looks like – the true embodiment of the brand. Brands which do this well create a destination for their loyal customers, with people willing to make the journey to go and experience all the brand has to offer.
These stores can serve as an exemplar for everything else the brand does. We would almost prefer brands to think of physical stores as marketing investment, and be delighted when they end up making money.
The broader world of retail and physical stores is going to be unbelievably tough over the next few years. But don't let that put you off if you're a vibrant, growing DTC brand. Physical stores can play a tremendously useful role for you and your customers. Just don't open too many.
Jonathan Miller is Craft Partner: Scale Up! at The Craftory, the counter-corporate anti-VC on a $300M mission to back the world's boldest challenger brands in the consumer goods space.


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| Questions? E-mail, call Text Us!
|Guitar Lessons in Hollywood CA | Bass Guitar Lessons in Hollywood CA
| Melody Music Studios was founded in 1989 (that's right...1989!), and hire professional music instructors that are trained, versatile in what they offer, and love to teach! References and full background checks are conducted.
We offer all instruments, levels, and styles, and traditional or by ear lessons, tailoring the lessons to the student's interests and goals, taught in a positive and fun way.
We offer a one business day grace period to cancel after the trial lesson. If you're not happy with the lesson, it's FREE!
|*After the trial lesson, future lessons can be cancelled anytime with a 30 day notice
Benjamin graduated from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA in 2015 for Guitar Performance which included music theory. Benjamin has been playing guitar since he was a child. He began teaching in 2014 and developed his own curriculum Along with teaching, Benjamin is also a performer in two local LA bands, a jazz/fusion band and a southern rock band. Benjamin offers jazz, blues, rock, fusion, alternative, indie, and country styles.
Personality rating: easygoing


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Real Imager 8 (RI8) provides a no touch, no radiation and woman-friendly procedure to determine the likelihood of breast cancer through non-invasive imaging procedure. The imaging data is assessed objectively and a RIsk Assessment Score is provided to the physician.
Unlike mammography, the Real Imager 8 does not invovle compression of the breast, which is sometimes painful to many women.


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Ayton Castle is an important Scottish baronial mansion to the east of Ayton in the Scottish Borders. The present castle dates largely from the 19th century. The castle is protected as a category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant parks and gardens.
Ayton Castle is not open to the public, although it is open on certain days each year. Please check our Visiting Ayton Castle page for further details.
Local people are permitted to walk up the South Drive to the cattle grid when the gates of the Gatehouse are open. Along the drive, one may enjoy pleasant views of the Eye Water, the Spring bulbs, and some magnificent parkland trees. Please note that dogs must be well behaved and that there is no car parking.
Find us
There are regular buses to Ayton from Berwick upon Tweed, the closest train station is also Berwick upon Tweed.
It is also a short drive in a Taxi from the train station.
Parking available on-site during events and open days.
Gary 07553 831535
- Accessible toilets
- Guide dogs welcome
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
A word from the owner
In 1873, Mark Twain visited the Castle and insisted on buying the Dining Room fire place; it is now located at the Mark Twain House & Museum in Harford, Connecticut.
St Abbs Well Trail
Ayton Castle welcomes wedding enquiries.
'We would just like to thank you guys again for all your help organising our wedding. It was truly an amazing venue & day' RE 10/18


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Claire and Jason's Table Mountain E-shoot - Wedding Friends
Claire and Jason's Table Mountain E-shoot - Wedding Friends
We are so excited to share this gorgeous surprise engagement shoot by Vizion Photography and Films. Such beautiful shots in our gorgeous Cape Town! The pair got engaged on top of Table Mountain, how special is that?
Read their story below:
This was a surprise engagement shoot. Jason brought Claire all the way from the UK and took her up the iconic Table Mountain. Claire was convinced they are having a romantic photo shoot, booked as a gift from Jason's mother. All of us, as the members of this engagement conspiracy, had to act normal like it's just another glorious day on top of Table Mountain. We all sighed when Jason got down on one knee and asked Claire to merry him. It was to Claire's complete surprise. And she said yes! All the tourists on top of Table Mountain clapped hands and congratulated. What a wonderful way to propose!The Couple | Tell us a bit about your couple?
Claire is a Scottish, Jason is South African, currently living in the UK. They have been together for quite some time and they knew one day they are going to get married, but Jason wanted to surprise Claire with a memorable and special proposal, so he kept saying she must not expect a ring ant time soon. Claire was completely unaware of what was coming that day!
Since Claire was convinced this was a photo shoot, we got to capture the most beautiful photos of the couple enjoying the iconic view from the top of Table Mountain. Claire and Jason have a wonderful connection and with Claire's bubbly personality, there is so much joy captured in those images! The engagement moment is, of course, also captured on camera. The surprise, the tears of joy, all the hugs and kisses. I was so happy to be able to capture this moment for Claire and Jason!Simply You | One last word?
Well done, Jason, with the engagement conspiracy! We hope this lovely couple chooses South Africa to host their wedding!


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Okay, folks, time for the ScareLosAngeles 2016 wrap-up!
My day started at 7:30 AM, not by choice, but rather because I woke up to a text message and couldn't get back to sleep. I figured since I was already up I might as well get to work. I'm honestly glad I had extra time because I had a ton to do and this allowed me to drink a nice cup of joe, walk my dog, etc. without feeling stressed.
I'm not going to lie, I was pretty proud of myself for putting on every piece of costume/makeup in the correct order. Usually I'm the person who has a full face of makeup on and then realizes she needs to slide a white shirt on over it. It's always messy. This time though, wig caps, dress, make-up, stockings, boots, and the wig for last. Check, check, aaaaand check. I also brought my lollipop with me because I knew I'd be covering it with fake blood and should wait until the very last second.
The convention was hands down one of the best cons I've ever attended. Top 3 for sure I'd say. My friend Nicole said to me as we walked in the doors: "You're having an orgasm right now, aren't you?" And yes. Yes, I was. It was like that from start to finish. I mean, I got my cheek kissed by a boa constrictor, found an original Universal Monster doll that I've been trying to track down for years, and got my lollipop bitten by a creepy ass clown puppet. What more could a girl ask for?
It was just so fun seeing whole families getting in on the action. That is one of the things I love about cons–something for everyone. I saw a little girl dressed as Elvira, one as Chucky, and a teeny tiny El from Stranger Things. It was so precious. As much as my costume was well received by adults, the kids were totally about it. That made me so happy. I took lots of pictures and handed out lollipops (minus the gore) to them. One little boy was too afraid to take a picture with me but was psyched about the candy. That's how I normally lure them into my van, so I figured it would work.
Here is a short list of vendors that stand out in my mind:
- Local Boogeyman – Been a fan of this brand since it was Red Moon Coyote and honestly the new moniker is so much for fitting. Everything is spooky, rebellious, and/or–to be frank–offensive. Not for the faint of heart, I'd caution.
- Sweet Midnight – Think creepy kawaii. Their tagline is "The Dark Side of Cute" and it really is. They had lots of adorable pins and rings that I would love to give as gifts. Oh and those coffin bags? Yeah, you will be mine one day.
- Cheltenham Road – I resisted the urge to buy this time around, but something tells me my cubicle at work will soon be rocking some of their vintage Halloween magnets and coasters. Click the link for this crafter's wordpress site that can easily route you to his etsy store.
- Sheri DeBow – She was so sweet and bubbly! I loved her and her bubblegum hair so much. Honestly, her sculptures are a wee bit spendy, but they're stunning. I really wanted one of the creepy decapitated doll head ornaments, but alas, I don't carry that much money on me when I go to cons for that very reason.
Below is a gallery from the big day starting with snap shots on the ride over and ending with some things from around the interwebs that were pointed out to me after the event:
Also, check out this video from bky guy that I said I'd gladly pass along. He has a few up from the event. I think I come in to play in this one at about the 3:40-ish mark if you're curious.
Overall, had a creeptastic time and can't wait for next year's event. I'm also really interested in attending more horror cons in general. I've only been to a couple of small ones before, and it seems that a bigger scale event in this case is best to get more bang for your buck. Monsterpalooza and Midsummer Night's Scream are in my future for sure.
I'll be posting about a project I have going on in my bedroom (sounds weird but I promise is isn't scandalous) and LBCC 2017 that is coming up in — eek! — just about a month! So stay tuuuuuuuned, boys and ghouls!


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I love the sunrise and it's reflections and the orange/reddish light and it makes me again and again stop and take my camera out
In my Blog you will find regular updates on my work, projects I am doing and other interesting stuff related to photography.
Main part of the Blog is the project 365. I will choose daily one of the photos I took to be presented here in this Blog, not always on the day it was taken but you can expect regular updates.
I like to encourage you very much to leave your comments - I love to hear from you!


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A resource for informing patients and caregivers about Multiple Sclerosis, its possible causes, effects, and treatments. Get the most current information on new developments, clinical trials and other important matters for anyone dealing with MS.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Norwegian stem cell company eyes Wis.
By SCOTT BAUER
MADISON, Wis.
Access to scientists working with stem cells and proximity to the WiCell Research Institute attracted a Norwegian biotechnology company to locate in Madison, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday.
CellCura, Inc., is the fourth stem cell company to start or locate in Wisconsin the past two years, the governor's office said.
Doyle, who made his support of embryonic stem cell research a lynchpin of his successful re-election bid last month, wants Wisconsin to capture 10 percent of the stem cell research market by 2015. In April he directed the state Department of Commerce to spend $5 million to help recruit stem cell researchers like CellCura.
Wisconsin is the birthplace of stem cell research. University of Wisconsin researcher Jamie Thomson first isolated embryonic stem cells in 1998.
About 80 UW scientists are conducting a variety of embryonic stem cell studies, mostly using the five cell lines developed by Thomson and patented by the school's research arm, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
WiCell is a subsidiary of WARF that does stem cell research and education and is the home of the National Stem Cell Bank.
Doyle's office said Wisconsin currently has 22,000 people working with stem cells which generates $7 billion for the state's economy.
Embryonic stem cell therapies could hold cures for a host of debilitating illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
But the research is divisive because scientists destroy unused embryos from fertility clinics to obtain the stem cells, which are the basic material that give rise to nearly all organs, cells and other body tissues.


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Scrotal Ultrasound
In This Page:
Scrotal ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the testicles and surrounding tissue.
Need to Know
Nice to Know
Why is This Exam Done?
Scrotal ultrasounds are typically performed to determine the cause of testicular pain, identify if a scrotal mass is cystic or solid, determine the location of undescended testis, and diagnose the cause of infertility.
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How Does it Work?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body's tissues, structures, and blood flow. A transducer/probe and ultrasound gel work in combination to absorb the reflected sound waves to produce images on the monitor
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What Will Happen During the Exam?
The sonographer will request that you lay on the exam bed on your back. Warm, water-based ultrasound gel will be applied on the skin and/or the transducer. The sonographer will use the transducer on the skin moving it around as necessary to obtain images for the physician to interpret.
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How Should I Prepare?
There are no preparations for this exam.
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What Are the Benefits and Risks?
The benefits of Scrotal Ultrasound:
- Ultrasound images are shown in real-time
- The structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels are able to be seen and recorded
- No ionizing radiation is used for this procedure
Risks you should be aware of:
There are no known risks for ultrasound
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Where Can I Get This Exam?
We perform scrotal ultrasound at nine of our office locations:


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Are you aware that you are sick?
Are you aware that you may
Be a patient?
Are you aware that you may
Be sick?
You may be sick of two ills
That are killing many people
All over the world - greed and pride;
Both of them are terminal diseases;
These two diseases have gripped
Many hearts and are eating them up;
If you are one of them,
They are eating you up slowly;
And will destroy you,
Unless you stop them.
You have a swollen bank account;
Yet, you continue to exploit your workers
And other people in your community,
So as to grow richer and richer;
Why are you accumulating money
Which you do not need?
What is that money doing in the banks?
Many are perishing in misery
All around you;
Meager salaries, you pay your workers!
Yet, they are the ones who do all the work
View original post 326 more words


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Bill Knight is painting his way through recovery.
As of this publishing, Bill Knight has been sober for 6 months. He experienced homelessness for a period of time, but has been in stable housing since January of 2008 through Seattle Housing Authority. He has always struggled with clinical depression, but found real support when he started painting.
Bill came to Path with Art through Recovery Café and Full Life Solstice. In 2016, he took a class with Teaching Artist Marni Sheppard, and felt incredibly encouraged by his classmates. In a multimedia class with Teaching Artist Michelle de la Vega, he painted, "Eggs on Toast," the painting pictured here, which is what his father made him for breakfast as a child.
He enjoyed painting so much that he started painting more and more, building up his collection and giving his paintings away to the people around him. Everyone told him he shouldn't be giving them away, and that he could easily be selling his work.
"When I go to my morning recovery support group, I show them my paintings and see the joy on their faces… watching peoples' faces change when they see my work warms my heart."
For Bill, making art and sharing it with community is a powerful experience – it's dignifying to have people recognize his work, engage with it, and be moved by it. He still plans to make peoples' days by giving away some of his paintings, but he is now working with a friend to put together a business plan.
"I now have a goal. Art was the catalyst to get me back into recovery – I sold my first painting and I was so excited, but then I drank the money right up I was so disappointed in myself, I turned around and went right back to my support group," he says. "If I'm going to do this and make it work, I have to do it sober."
Being able to make something that he could share with other people is incredibly validating, and helps Bill to feel like his skills are valuable, like he is valuable. Since January of 2018, his paintings have been on permanent display and for sale at the Belltown Barber. His work is on display and for sale at the Ventures retail store in Pike Place Market.


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Just outside our door.../
Today's blog is different than most: you won't find a recipe, craft, or DIY project. I want to share a nature story that is happening just outside my door at the lake. Living in New Hampshire I get the opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife. Turkey and deer in fields, a family of fox living across the street, and even an occasional bear—they love the smell of burgers on the grill. The nature story I want to share is one I've never experienced before...a robin's nest on the light fixture of our farmer's porch.
Let's go back in time for just a moment. On a rainy day in July I noticed a bird flying under the roof of the farmers porch. I didn't think much of it because I was under the impression that birds nest in early summer. However, I was mistaken; according to many sources robins may lay as many as three clutches of eggs and build a new nest for each clutch. The robin built her nest on the top of my light fixture next to the front door. Hannah and John had a nesting robin on top of the light fixture at their apartment that they named Tammy, so Phil and I named our robin Sammy! My best guess is that this is Sammy's second clutch and nest.
On July 21st, my husband took a photo to (hopefully) document the existence of eggs, and we were excited to see that there were three! Sammy had been sitting on the nest very diligently. She was protecting and incubating three beautiful blue eggs! My husband and I left for a long weekend away, and I hoped that all would be well with the nest while we were away. Upon our return, Sammy was still on the nest and I breathed a sigh of relief. On Tuesday (8/1), knowing that I was again leaving for a trip, I quickly snapped a photo of the nest—a rather off center photo—it showed two very newly born robins and one unhatched egg. Sammy was doing a great job!
The nest now houses three beautiful and seemingly always hungry baby robins. I call them nestlings—a bird that is too young to leave its nest! If the information I have gathered is correct, the nestlings will be leaving within the upcoming week. While I will be sad to see them leave, I know Sammy will be keeping her eye on them for a while longer.
It's funny how life twists and turns! As many of you know, my own empty nest has influenced my life in different ways.
- My car's license plate is MT-N3ST, a reference to my own children being grown and out of the house.
- My empty nest inspired me to start TU living and my store The Modern Nestling!
If you are unfamiliar with The Modern Nestling, let me introduce you. It's a store for the stylish baby, offering a modern take on a traditional necessity—the burp cloth! For my business, I use the term "nestling" to evoke the nurturing of baby birds by their mother, just like Sammy. I want my products to be of the highest quality to give the best care to those who use them. Head over to the shop to check out our ultra-absorbent curated collection of burp cloths for a great gift or for your own nestling.
If you would like to follow TU living or The Modern Nestling, please sign up using the JOIN OUR MAILING LISTS! Button for all the latest blogs, updates, and sales!
I hope wherever you call home that you are able to experience and connect with nature as I have been able to with Sammy and her three nestlings (and soon to be empty nest)! I would love to hear one of your nature stories. Be sure to tag TU living on Facebook (@TUliving.Kathy) or Twitter and Instagram (@TU_living).