text:
Department of Health and Human Services
Participating Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH) http://www.nih.gov
Components of
Participating Organizations
National Institute on Aging (NIA) http://www.nia.nih.gov
Title: Mechanisms Mediating Changes in Central Regulation of Bone Mass (R01)
Announcement Type
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
Request for Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-AG-11-006
NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).
A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four (4) weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: August 3, 2010
Opening Date: September 14, 2010 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): September 14, 2010
NOTE: On-time submission requires that applications be successfully submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization).
Application Due Date(s): October 14, 2010
Peer Review Date(s): February/March 2011
Council Review Date(s): May 2011
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): July 1, 2011
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Activation Date): Not Applicable
Expiration Date: October 15, 2010
Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable
Overview Content
Executive Summary
Table of Contents
Part I Overview Information
Part II Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism of Support
2. Funds Available
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions
B. Eligible Individuals
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
A. Receipt, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH
C. Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting
Section VII. Agency Contacts
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)
Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations
Part II - Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
The discovery that leptin, secreted by adipocytes, regulates bone mass through a central relay involving serotonergic neurons has generated considerable interest and raised many additional questions about the identity of neural mediator(s) linking the brain to skeletal physiology as well as the potential involvement of other neural/hypothalamic factors (Serotonin, TSH and FSH, ephrins and dynorphins) in regulating bone mass. Reports of leptin/serotonin signaling regulating bone mass reinforced clinical observations demonstrating that fracture risk increases significantly in patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) compared to age and sex matched patients not taking SSRIs. Two additional lines of basic research, taken together, strongly suggest that regulation of bone mass is significantly more complex than previously understood and that the brain and brain- derived signaling pathways have a significant impact on bone health. First, leptin KO mice receiving an intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin had a pronounced increase in bone density and these effects were mediated by serotonergic neurons and; second, hypothalamic factors such as FSH, TSH and thyroid hormone have significant impacts on bone remodeling. In addition, recent reports indicate that direct innervations are important in mechanical load sensing and bone remodeling. This research area will have significant clinical implications given the prevalence and widespread use of SSRIs for depression, in the already- at- risk patient population of perimenopausal women. Furthermore, age-related changes in neuroendocrine activity are well documented and research in this area will explore the downstream impact of these changes on bone health.
Ongoing NIA sponsored observational studies have resulted in data demonstrating a significant increase in both bone loss and fracture- risk for male and female patients using SSRI medications for treatment of depression. In addition, use of antipsychotic drugs has also been linked to increased risk of bone fractures. This risk was strongly correlated with the relative antagonistic strength of the drug for dopamine receptors in the brain. The involvement of the hypothalamic/pituitary axis as well as direct innervations of bone will dramatically alter the current paradigm of regulation of bone mass and metabolism.
This program will support basic research, using the R01 mechanism, to understand the etiology and/or mechanisms regulating bone mass that are integrated by a central relay. These studies will significantly enhance our understanding of the integrated nature of the age-related changes in bone mass (i.e., osteoporosis), and in all likelihood will identify novel therapeutic targets to have anabolic effects on bone.
Research Scope
The source of these factors as well as the mechanisms that regulate alterations in production, secretion and signaling by these factors with age as well as the changes in related clinical effects and/or outcomes with age are still not clear and research in the proposed initiative will elucidate the underlying mechanisms and their interactions with age-related changes. The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) has identified the delineation of specific genes and cell determinants of osteoblastogenesis as well as the bone marrow interactions that underlie marrow adipogenesis during states of malnutrition, glucose intolerance and aging as part of their current focus priorities. ASBMR sponsored a workshop April 27th and 28th, 2009 entitled New Frontiers in Skeletal Biology: Bone Fat and Brain Connections at the Bethesda Marriot that focused on these novel and varied interactions. In addition, NIA held a workshop in Washington DC on June 9th, 2009 on the Central Regulation of Bone in order to identify and discuss the age-dependent aspects of neuroendocrine regulation of bone.
The goal of this FOA is to stimulate additional investigations into the neural, neuroendocrine and integrative physiological regulation of bone mass. We propose funding applications investigating various aspects of the basic aspects of bone biology. A variety of basic research questions remain to be addressed, including, but not limited to the following:
This FOA will use the R01 award mechanism. The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.
This FOA uses "Just-in-Time" information concepts (see SF424 (R&R) Application Guide). It also uses the modular as well as the non-modular budget formats (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm). Specifically, a U.S. organization submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less (excluding consortium Facilities and Administrative [F&A] costs) must use the PHS398 Modular Budget component.
U.S. applicants requesting more than $250,000 in annual direct costs and all foreign applicants must complete and submit budget requests using the Research & Related Budget component.
Funds Available
the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to
application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will
also vary. Although the financial plans of the IC(s) provide support for this
program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the
availability of funds.
and Administrative (F&A) costs requested by consortium participants are not
included in the direct cost limitation. See NOT-OD-05-004.
NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/ organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.
Eligible Institutions
The following organizations/institutions are eligible to apply:
1.B. Eligible Individuals
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PD/PI is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.
More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs), may be designated on the application for projects that require a "team science" approach and therefore clearly do not fit the single-PD/PI model. Additional information on the implementation plans and policies and procedures to formally allow more than one PD/PI on individual research projects is available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi. All PDs/PIs must be registered in the NIH electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons prior to the submission of the application (see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm for instructions).
The decision of whether to apply for a grant with a single PD/PI or multiple PDs/PIs is the responsibility of the investigators and applicant organizations and should be determined by the scientific goals of the project. Applications for grants with multiple PDs/PIs will require additional information, as outlined in the instructions below. When considering the multiple PD/PI option, please be aware that the structure and governance of the PD/PI leadership team as well as the knowledge, skills and experience of the individual PDs/PIs will be factored into the assessment of the overall scientific merit of the application. Multiple PDs/PIs on a project share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to the grantee organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of required reports. For further information on multiple PDs/PIs, please see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi.
2. Cost
Sharing or Matching
This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement.
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
Number of Applications. More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs) may be designated on the application.
Resubmissions. Resubmission applications are not permitted in response to this FOA.
Renewals. Renewal applications are not permitted in response to this FOA
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
download a SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application
Guide for completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for this FOA, use the "Apply for
Grant Electronically" button in this FOA or link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that Web site.
Appropriate registrations with Grants.gov and eRA Commons must be completed on or before the due date in order to successfully submit an application. Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered with both Grants.gov and the Commons. All registrations must be complete by the submission deadline for the application to be considered "on-time" (see 3.C.1 for more information about on-time submission).
A one-time registration is required for institutions/organizations at both:
PDs/PIs should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the NIH eRA Commons.
Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant can submit an electronic application, as follows:
1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov/Get Registered
2) Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons
3) Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the NIH eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.
Both the PDs/PI(s) and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the NIH eRA Commons since both are authorized to view the application image.
Note: The registration process is not sequential. Applicants should begin the registration processes for both Grants.gov and eRA Commons as soon as their organization has obtained a DUNS number. Only one DUNS number is required and the same DUNS number must be referenced when completing Grants.gov registration, eRA Commons registration and the SF424 (R&R) forms.
Request Application Information
Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply.
Note: Only the forms package directly attached to
a specific FOA can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424
(R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA), although
some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one
For further assistance, contact GrantsInfo -- Telephone 301-710-0267; Email: email@example.com.
Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY: (301) 451-5936
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Prepare all applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms for this FOA through Grants.gov/Applyand in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm).
The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is critical to submitting a complete and accurate application to NIH. Some fields within the SF424 (R&R) application components, although not marked as mandatory, are required by NIH (e.g., the "Credential" log-in field of the "Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile" component must contain the PD/PI's assigned eRA Commons User ID). Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see "Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications."
The SF424 (R&R) application has several components. Some components are required, others are optional. The forms package associated with this FOA in Grants.gov/APPLY includes all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this FOA includes the data in the following components:
Required Components:
SF424 (R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person
PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
PHS398 Modular Budget or Research & Related Budget, as appropriate (See Section IV.6 regarding appropriate required budget component.)
Optional Components:
PHS398 Cover Letter File
Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form
Organizations (Non-Domestic [non-U.S.]
NIH policies concerning grants to Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations can be found in the NIH Grants Policy Statement at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part12.htm#_Toc54600260.
Applications from Foreign organizations must:
Proposed research should provide special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions in other countries that are not readily available in the United States (U.S.) or that augment existing U.S. resources.
Applications with Multiple PDs/PIs
When multiple PDs/PIs are proposed, NIH requires one PD/PI to be designated as the "Contact" PI, who will be responsible for all communication between the PDs/PIs and the NIH, for assembling the application materials outlined below, and for coordinating progress reports for the project. The contact PD/PI must meet all eligibility requirements for PD/PI status in the same way as other PDs/PIs, but has no other special roles or responsibilities within the project team beyond those mentioned above.
Information for the Contact PD/PI should be entered on the SF424 (R&R) Cover component. All other PDs/PIs should be listed in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component and assigned the project role of "PD/PI." Please remember that all PDs/PIs must be registered in the eRA Commons prior to application submission. The Commons ID of each PD/PI must be included in the "Credential" field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component. Failure to include this data field will cause the application to be rejected.
Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan: For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs, the section of the Research Plan entitled "Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan", must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, and should include communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PDs/PIs and other collaborators.
If budget allocation is planned, the distribution of resources to specific components of the project or the individual PDs/PIs should be delineated in the Leadership Plan. In the event of an award, the requested allocations may be reflected in a footnote on the Notice of Award (NoA).
Applications Involving a Single Institution
When all PDs/PIs are within a single institution, follow the instructions contained in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Applications Involving Multiple Institutions
When multiple institutions are involved, one institution must be designated as the prime institution and funding for the other institution(s) must be requested via a subcontract to be administered by the prime institution. When submitting a detailed budget, the prime institution should submit its budget using the Research & Related Budget component. All other institutions should have their individual budgets attached separately to the Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form. See Section 4.8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for further instruction regarding the use of the subaward budget form.
When submitting a modular budget, the prime institution completes the PHS398 Modular Budget component only. Information concerning the consortium/subcontract budget is provided in the budget justification. Separate budgets for each consortium/subcontract grantee are not required when using the Modular budget format. See Section 5.4 of the Application Guide for further instruction regarding the use of the PHS398 Modular Budget component.
Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A. for details.
3.A. Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
Opening Date: October 14, 2010 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): September 14, 2010
Application Due Date(s): October 14, 2010
Peer Review Date(s): February/March 2011
Council Review Date(s): May 2011
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): July 1, 2011
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:
a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the
review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC
staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed in Section IV.3.A.
The letter of intent should be sent to:
John P. Williams, Ph.D.
Division of Aging Biology
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Ave. Room 2C231
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-6403
Fax: (301) 402-0010
Email: email@example.com
3.B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the
To submit an application in response to this FOA, applicants should access this FOA via http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html and follow Steps 1-4. Note: Applications must only be submitted electronically. PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All attachments must be provided to NIH in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters, and a .pdf extension must be used.
In order to expedite the review, applicants are requested to notify the National Institute on Aging Referral Office by email (firstname.lastname@example.com) when the application has been submitted. Please include the FOA number and title, PD/PI name, and title of the application.
Application Processing
3.C.1 Submitting On-Time
Applications may be submitted on or after the opening date and must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the application due date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application is not submitted by the due date(s) and time, the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed. All applications must meet the following criteria to be considered "on-time":
Please visit http://era.nih.gov/electronicReceipt/app_help.htm for detailed information on what to do if Grants.gov or eRA system issues threaten your ability to submit on time.
Submission to Grants.gov is not the last step – applicants must follow their application through to the eRA Commons to check for errors and warnings and view their assembled application!
3.C.2 Two Day Window to Correct eRA Identified Errors/Warnings
IMPORTANT NOTE! NIH has eliminated the error correction window for due dates of January 25, 2011 and beyond. As of January 25, all corrections must be complete by the due date for an application to be considered on-time. See NOT-OD-10-123.
Once an application package has been successfully submitted through Grants.gov, NIH provides applicants a two day error correction window to correct any eRA identified errors or warnings before a final assembled application is created in the eRA Commons. The standard error correction window is two (2) business days, beginning the day after the submission deadline and excluding weekends and standard federal holidays. All errors must be corrected to successfully complete the submission process. Warnings will not prevent the application from completing the submission process.
Please note that the following caveats apply:
3.C.3 Viewing an Application in the eRA Commons
Once any eRA identified errors have been addressed and the assembled application has been created in the eRA Commons, the PD/PI and the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) have two weekdays (Monday – Friday, excluding Federal holidays) to view the assembled application before it automatically moves forward to NIH for further processing.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the CSR and responsiveness by the IC. Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications will not be reviewed.
There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the Commons. The submitting AOR/SO receives the Grants.gov acknowledgments. The AOR/SO and the PI receive Commons acknowledgments. Information related to the assignment of an application to a Scientific Review Group is also in the Commons.
Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to check periodically on the application status in the Commons.
The NIH will not accept any application in response to this funding opportunity that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. However, when a previously unfunded application, originally submitted as an investigator-initiated application, is to be submitted in response to a funding opportunity, it is to be prepared as a NEW application. That is, the application for the funding opportunity must not include an "Introduction" describing the changes and improvements made, and the text must not be marked to indicate the changes from the previous unfunded version of the application.
4. Intergovernmental Review
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
5. Funding Restrictions
All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Pre-award costs are
allowable. A grantee may, at its own risk and without NIH prior approval, incur
obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning
date of the initial budget period of a new award if such costs: 1) are
necessary to conduct the project, and 2) would be allowable under the grant, if
awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise
require prior approval, the grantee must obtain NIH approval before incurring
the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than
90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new award.
The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement).
6. Other Submission Requirements
PD/PI Credential (e.g., Agency Login)
The NIH requires the PD(s)/PI(s) to fill in his/her Commons User ID in the "PROFILE – Project Director/Principal Investigator" section, "Credential" log-in field of the "Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile" component.
Organizational DUNS
The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see "Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications."
PHS398 Research Plan Component Sections
All application instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide are to be followed, incorporating "Just-in-Time" information concepts, and with the following additional requirements:
Budget Component
U.S. applicants submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less (excluding consortium Facilities and Administrative [F&A] costs) must use the PHS398 Modular Budget component.
U.S. applicants requesting more than $250,000 in annual direct costs and all foreign applicants must complete and submit budget requests using the Research & Related Budget component.
Appendix Materials
Applicants must follow the specific instructions on Appendix materials as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (See https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm).
Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations. An application that does not comply with the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process.Resource Sharing Plan(s)
NIH considers the sharing of unique research resources developed through NIH-sponsored research an important means to enhance the value and further the advancement of the research. When resources have been developed with NIH funds and the associated research findings published or provided to NIH, it is important that they be made readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. If the final data/resources are not amenable to sharing, this should be explained in the Resource Sharing section of the application (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_faqs.htm).
(a) Data Sharing Plan: Not Applicable
(b) Sharing Model Organisms: Regardless of the amount requested, all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated are expected to include a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organisms and related resources, or state appropriate reasons why such sharing is restricted or not possible. See Sharing Model Organisms Policy, and NIH Guide NOT-OD-04-042.
(c) Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS): Regardless of the amount requested, applicants seeking funding for a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible. A genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (e.g., blood pressure or weight) or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. For further information see Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies (go to NOT-OD-07-088, and https://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/.)
Foreign Applications (Non-Domestic [non-U.S.] Entities)
Indicate how the proposed project has specific relevance to the mission and objectives of the NIH/IC and has the potential for significantly advancing the health sciences in the United States.
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.
2. Review and Selection Process
Review Process
Applications that are complete and responsive to this FOA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the National Institute on Aging and in accordance with NIH peer review procedures (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/peer/), using the review criteria stated below.
As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will:
The mission of the NIH is to support science in pursuit of knowledge about the biology and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. As part of this mission, applications submitted to the NIH for grants or cooperative agreements to support biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.
Overall Impact
Reviewers will provide an overall impact/priority score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following five scored review criteria, and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).
Scored Review Criteria
Reviewers will consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Significance. Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field? How will successful completion of the aims affect related organ systems integrated in the signaling network?
Investigator(s). Are the PD/PIs, collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project?
Innovation. Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed? How will successful completion of the aims affect related organ systems integrated in the signaling network? Does the work add new factors and or describe how known factors are integrated to affect multiple organs?
Approach. Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed?
If the project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?
Environment. Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?
Additional Review Criteria
As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider the following additional items in the determination of scientific and technical merit, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Protections for Human Subjects. For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children. When the proposed project involves clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children.
Vertebrate Animals. The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information, see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/VASchecklist.pdf.
Biohazards. Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
Resubmission Applications. Resubmission applications are not permitted.
Renewal Applications. Renewal applications are not permitted.
Revision Applications. Revised applications are not applicable to this FOA.
Additional Review Considerations
As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will address each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items and should not consider them in providing an overall impact/priority score.
Applications from Foreign Organizations. As applicable for the FOA or submitted application, reviewers will assess whether the project presents special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that exist in other countries and either are not readily available in the United States or augment existing U.S. resources.
Select Agents Research. Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Resource Sharing Plans. Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan (Not Applicable); 2) Sharing Model Organisms (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-04-042.html); and 3) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-088.html).
Budget and Period of Support. Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.
Selection Process
Applications submitted in response to this FOA will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this FOA. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Not Applicable
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the NIH eRA Commons.
If the application is under
consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time"
information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH
Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards,
Subpart A: General.
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document. Once all administrative and programmatic issues have been resolved, the NoA will be generated via email notification from the awarding component to the grantee business official.
Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See Section IV.5., "Funding Restrictions."
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities.
Awardees will be required to submit the Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are required when an award is relinquished when a recipient changes institutions or when an award is terminated.
We encourage your inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three areas: scientific/research (program), peer review, and financial or grants management issues:
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s):
John P. Williams, Ph.D.
Division of Aging Biology
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Room 2C231
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 (use 20814 for express mail)
Telephone: (301) 496-6403
Fax: (301) 402-0010
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
2. Peer Review Contact(s):
Ramesh Vemuri, Ph.D.
Scientific Review Branch
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Room 2C212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 (use 20814 for express mail)
Telephone: (301) 402-7700
Fax: (301) 402-0066
Email: email@example.com
3. Financial/Grants Management Contact(s):
Robin Laney
Grants & Contracts Management Branch
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Room 2N212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 (use 20814 for express mail)
Telephone: (301) 496-1473
Fax: (301) 402-3672
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Section VIII. Other Information
Required Federal Citations
Use of Animals
in Research:
Recipients of PHS support for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf) as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm) as applicable.
Human Subjects
Federal regulations (45 CFR 46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).
Data and Safety
Monitoring Plan:
Data and safety monitoring is required for all types of clinical trials, including physiologic toxicity and dose-finding studies (Phase I); efficacy studies (Phase II); efficacy, effectiveness and comparative trials (Phase III). Monitoring should be commensurate with risk. The establishment of data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) is required for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risks to the participants ("NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring," NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).
Sharing Research Data:
Investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why this is not possible (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing). Investigators should seek guidance from their institutions, on issues related to institutional policies and local institutional review board (IRB) rules, as well as local, State and Federal laws and regulations, including the Privacy Rule.
Policy for Genome-Wide
Association Studies (GWAS):
NIH is interested in advancing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify common genetic factors that influence health and disease through a centralized GWAS data repository. For the purposes of this policy, a genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire human genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or weight), or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. All applications, regardless of the amount requested, proposing a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible. Data repository management (submission and access) is governed by the Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies, NIH Guide NOT-OD-07-088. For additional information, see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/.
Sharing of Model Organisms:
NIH is committed to support efforts that encourage sharing of important research resources including the sharing of model organisms for biomedical research (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/model_organism/index.htm). At the same time the NIH recognizes the rights of grantees and contractors to elect and retain title to subject inventions developed with Federal funding pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Beginning October 1, 2004, all investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal are expected to include in the application/proposal a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organism research resources generated using NIH funding or state why such sharing is restricted or not possible. This will permit other researchers to benefit from the resources developed with public funding. The inclusion of a model organism sharing plan is not subject to a cost threshold in any year and is expected to be included in all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated.
Access to Research Data through the Freedom of Information Act:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to provide access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are: (1) first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds; and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH has provided guidance at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm. Applicants may wish to place data collected under this funding opportunity in a public archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include information about this in the budget justification section of the application. In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under this award.
Inclusion of Women And Minorities in Clinical Research:
It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research projects unless a clear and compelling justification is provided indicating that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). All investigators proposing clinical research should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research" (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a complete copy of the updated Guidelines is available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm. The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials consistent with the SF424 (R&R) application; and updated roles and responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community. The policy continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) all applications or proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable; and b) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.
Inclusion of Children as Participants in Clinical Research:
The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all clinical research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines" on the inclusion of children as participants in research involving human subjects (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm).
Required Education on the Protection of Human Subject Participants:
NIH policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants for all investigators submitting NIH applications for research involving human subjects and individuals designated as key personnel. The policy is available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC):
Criteria for Federal funding of research on hESCs can be found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp and at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-116.html. Only research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (http://escr.nih.gov/). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide in the project description and elsewhere in the application as appropriate, the official NIH identifier(s) for the hESC line(s) to be used in the proposed research.
NIH Public Access Policy Requirement:
In accordance with the NIH Public Access Policy, investigators funded by the NIH must submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central (see http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/), an electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication. The NIH Public Access Policy is available at (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-033.html). For more information, see the Public Access webpage at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/.
Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued final modification to the "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information", the "Privacy Rule", on August 14, 2002. The Privacy Rule is a federal regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health information, and is administered and enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule reside with the researcher and his/her institution. The OCR website (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/) provides information on the Privacy Rule, including a complete Regulation Text and a set of decision tools on "Am I a covered entity?" Information on the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH processes involving the review, funding, and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-025.html.
in NIH Grant Applications or Appendices:
All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. For publications listed in the appendix and/or Progress report, Internet addresses (URLs) or PubMed Central (PMC) submission identification numbers must be used for publicly accessible on-line journal articles. Publicly accessible on-line journal articles or PMC articles/manuscripts accepted for publication that are directly relevant to the project may be included only as URLs or PMC submission identification numbers accompanying the full reference in either the Bibliography & References Cited section, the Progress Report Publication List section, or the Biographical Sketch section of the NIH grant application. A URL or PMC submission identification number citation may be repeated in each of these sections as appropriate. There is no limit to the number of URLs or PMC submission identification numbers that can be cited.
Healthy People 2010:
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This FOA is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
Authority and Regulations:
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372. Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®
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MONROE � Union County sheriff's deputies have shot and killed a man who authorities say pointed a gun at them.
Sheriff Eddie Cathey said deputies were attempting to serve an arrest warrant Thursday night on a man charged with assault on a female. Cathey said the deputies went to the house next door, tipping off the suspect.
The sheriff said when deputies reached the correct home, a witness said the man went into the woods carrying a shotgun and a handgun. The deputies found the man and ordered him to drop the weapons. Cathey said the man pointed one of the weapons at the deputies, who shot and killed him.
The suspect was identified as 49-year-old Brent Taylor Catoe.
The sheriff's office and State Bureau of Investigation are looking into the shooting.

subset: commoncrawl


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The PC software seca analytics 115 supplements the seca mBCA 515/514 with several practical functions. One of them allows the device to transfer data and measurements wirelessly into any Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. The software also offers the Cardiometabolic Risk module, a therapy planner for dieting and the option of compiling and printing a patient's examination results. The software output is of great help to the doctor during post-examination consultation with the patient. Please register it before its initial use in order to activate it. This can be done very easily.
As a customer of our seca software, you have the option to receive remote support from us. Our experts can help you directly if you have problems with the installation or setup of the seca software*. Our employees can connect to your computer to analyze and correct the problem via the seca support software. Connection to your computer is only possible with your consent.
The software runs on the following operating systems:
- Windows 7
- Windows XP
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows 2000
(No installation required)
The seca emr flash 101 enables you to directly integrate data into an EMR. For international standards. You can directly download the free software here.


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Customer Reviews
All reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant.
What You'll Get
Scientists continue to find new uses for lasers, such as data transmission, playback of Blu-ray discs, and carving a sweetheart's initials onto the surface of the moon. Let lasers cajole your corpus with today's Groupon: for $599, you get an initial consultation (a $149 value) and three laser fat-reduction treatments (a $1,500 value) at Body By Laser in Tracy (a $1,649 total value).
Body By Laser synergizes the latest technologies with holistic approaches to health and nutrition. Laser-fat-reduction patients first receive an introductory consultation, during which they can ask questions and work with an experienced doctor to decide on an area of the body to target, such as the arms, butt, chin, or spare liver. The actual treatments utilize cold Zerona lasers, designed to gently target fat cells under the skin with low-level light, dislodging the lipids from their surroundings so that they can be fully expunged through the body's natural metabolic process. This noninvasive process doesn't break or burn the skin, require any downtime, or steal diaries. Following the approximately one-hour sessions, patients are provided with recommendations of nourishing nutrients, detox procedures, and nutritional guidance that aids in maintaining the results of the procedure.
Like art-house films and fish-flavored popsicles, Body By Laser's procedures are not intended for everyone: females who are pregnant or nursing should not undertake lipolaser treatment, nor should patients with active forms of cancer. Should any complications be discovered during Body By Laser's initial screening, the company will issue a refund.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Nov 30, 2011. Amount paid never expires. Limit 2 per person, may buy multiple as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. 24hr cancellation notice required or fee up to Groupon price may apply. Minors must have parental consent. Non-transferable. May redeem across visits. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Body By Laser
Each Body By Laser clinic pairs cold-laser technology with holistic health practices to help patients lose inches and keep them off. The treatment gets its magic from cold lipolasers, which are designed to gently shrink fat cells by dislodging their contents so that they can be fully discarded through the body's natural metabolic process and series of tiny secondhand stores. Each one-hour treatment series wraps up with a consultation on diet and exercise, along with a quick session atop a whole-body-vibration platform engineered to burn even more calories.
Like art-house films and fish-flavored popsicles, these procedures are not intended for everyone; females who are pregnant or nursing should not undertake the treatment, nor should patients with active forms of cancer. Should any complications be discovered during Body By Laser's initial screening, the company will issue a refund.


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Home > Bachelor Pad > Season 3 > Episode 6
Episode Info
A house rivalry heats up, leading to a surprise elimination. The week's challenge puts the contestants up on stage to perform in a spelling bee. If the couple everyone wants to see gone wins the challenge, the stronger alliance will have no choice but to cut out one of its own couples when the stakes rise. One-on-one dates include a romantic hoedown at a barn and a day exploring the beauty of the Channel Islands.
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Discussion Forum
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|Episode Description
|Tuesday, Jan 8, 2013 - 9:00 AM
"Inspired Gardens"
This week, VICTORY GARDEN host Jamie Durie demonstrates how to create a dramatic bougainvillea espalier, inspired by the Getty Museum in California. Gardening correspondent Paul Epsom takes viewers on a "seasonal walk" through the world-famous New York Botanical Garden to demonstrate how to sustain a low-maintenance seasonal border all year long. Resident chef Michel Nischan teams up with renowned Boston-based chef Barbara Lynch to dry vegetables for year-round use and stir them up into a hearty Italian summer minestra - a flavorful soup that uses the garden to its best advantage. D
|More on LEARN/CREATE (MT)
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fthunterliggett | >>> Dedicated Account! Home Weekly! in Lansing, IL
>>> Dedicated Account! Home Weekly!
Dedicated Home Weekly
2719 181st St
Lansing, IL 60438
Job Description:
We're looking to hire a few more drivers for a dedicated account in an around Illinois, running primarily in about an 8 state area. Drivers will stay busy with good miles and excellent home time, usually seeing the house on the weekends.
Full company benefits including:
- Major Medical
- Vision
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- Long and Short Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation
Job Requirements:
3 months of verifiable truck driving experience
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When coach Mike London reflects on last season and what it took to get Virginia into its first bowl in four years, there are two very different versions of his team he recalls.
There's the group that won four consecutive games in October and November, matching U.Va.'s longest winning streak in four seasons and featuring dramatic road wins against Miami and Florida State. Then, there's the bunch that got crushed 38-0 at home against rival Virginia Tech and 43-24 in theChick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn at the end of an 8-5 season.
In the opening weeks of preseason practice, London will be seeking the ingredients that made his team a surprise challenger for the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division title – before Tech put that goal to rest in convincing fashion.
"We've got to find the identity," said London on Monday at the ACC preseason football media gathering. "We're going to have to find it early this year, because of who we play.
"I know (defensive coordinator Jim) Reid and the defensive coaches look at those last couple of games and have to assess, 'Do we need more firepower?...Do we need a new coverage here?' Whatever it may be, and hopefully we can address that."
London has spent a lot of time worrying about the development of his secondary and his kicking game, the latter of which he said has kept him up at night, adding "Ambien helps a lot," but there's something more specific he's looking for from his defense.
With a September slate that includes games against Penn State, at Georgia Tech, at Texas Christian and against Louisiana Tech in consecutive weeks, U.Va. should get a firm handle on what kind of season it could be in for before it plays its first conference game.
"We have high expectations within the team, but…we like being in the underdog role," linebacker Steve Greer said.
"As a program, we want to prove ourselves, and I think this schedule is going to give us the opportunity to do that."
U.Va. has just five returning starters from a defensive unit that thwarted Miami and FSU on a combined 17 of 22 third-down opportunities, and cornerback Demetrious Nicholson is the only returner in the secondary. Cornerbacks Rijo Walker, a Bethel High graduate, and Drequan Hoskey and strong safety Anthony Harris will enter preseason practice as projected starters, but none of them has started a single college game.
In addition to the questions in the secondary, Greer is coming off surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Despite missing the bowl, he led the team with 103 tackles. On Sunday, he declared himself 100 percent healthy.
Prior to the start of classes, teams are permitted to have 105 players participating in preseason practices. Nearly 15 percent of the 105-player limit may be consumed by kickers, punters and quarterbacks, which will include immediately eligible Alabama transfer Phillip Sims, a graduate of Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake.
"In the 105 (players) that you bring into camp, sometimes you bring in more linemen or skill guys," said London, who will enter the preseason with punter Alec Vozenilek and kicker Ian Frye trying to hold onto starting roles. "I'm committed to bringing in a full complement of kickers to find out early, particularly of the high school guys that are coming in, how good they are."
While London looks for answers in the preseason at some of U.Va.'s most unstable positions, one of the Cavaliers' offensive leaders may have motivation heading into August if he ponders how his 2011 season concluded.
After posting just 45 combined rushing yards against Virginia Tech and Auburn, running back Perry Jones finished 85 yards short of becoming U.Va.'s first 1,000-yard rusher since Alvin Pearman ran for 1,037 yards in 2004.
"We definitely learned about ourselves, but we also know those two games don't define what type of team we are," Jones said. "We know we were a better team than those two games, and we pride ourselves on being able to compete with anybody on any day, so it's pushing us into the next season. We ended the season with a sour taste in our mouth. We know we're capable of getting the job done, so that's what's going to drive us this fall camp."


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Business planning success
What does business success mean to you? Is it about lucrative financial gains, or about building something you can one day pass on to your children? Perhaps it's about making a difference in your community, or creating the very best product or service on the market. Maybe success simply means making a living doing something you love to do.
Most likely, you quantify success in many ways. It might not be difficult to envision what you want from your business, but figuring out how to achieve it might be. There are many tried-and-true steps you can take — and some missteps you should avoid — on your path to prosperity.
The key to success is having a business plan in place. Whether you're about to launch a start-up or you've been in business for years, the direction of your business is guided by your business plan. To begin the planning process, you'll need to do some critical analysis; business planning is about realistically forecasting where your business is going.
- Writing your business plan
Know what elements are considered essential in any business plan and the key points that should be included in each section of your plan.
What do you hope to achieve in business? Your goals are the guideposts of your business, and an essential part of your business plan.
- Identify your business goals early in the process.
- Apply a timeframe to complete those goals.
- If you have employees, assign responsibility for the execution of your goals.
- Keep "you" in mind; how will your strengths and weaknesses interplay with your goals?
- Developing your ideas
Make sure you can turn your idea into a profitable business model.
Products and Services
You are what you sell. How you handle your products, services and supplies will help you make your plans a reality.
- Control your product and supply inventories tightly.
- Don't allow aggressive vendors to overstock your supply shelves.
- Stay on the cutting edge of your industry, and seek to provide your customers with the best product.
- Supply chain management
Effective management of your supply chain can help you create a seamless process from pre-production right through to delivery and consumption.
Developing your market is key to your business plan. A steady flow of customers will turn your great ideas into a profitable venture.
Develop detailed profiles of your market:
Why is your product profitable?
Who are your customers and why?
How can you best deliver your product to your customers?
Pick marketing spots that will give you the most revenue.
- Marketing and sales
How well you market your business and interact with your customers can vastly influence your success.
Employees can be a great asset, or an unfortunate liability. Your hiring practices should reflect your business plan, so that you set yourself up for good quality, productivity, and service.
- Surround yourself with the best of the best and treat them as such.
- Hire to complement the strengths and weaknesses of the business.
- Provide employees with thorough and accurate work descriptions that they can understand and follow.
- Hiring employees
Know your obligations and opportunities when it comes to hiring employees.
Does your competition keep you awake at night? Make their existence a source of knowledge and opportunity, not a source of stress.
- Treat your competitors as if they were a case study of your market; what can you learn from their successes and failures?
- You may find opportunities to collaborate with your competition in order to benefit you both, particularly if they have products or skills that are complementary to your own.
- Market research and statistics
Learn more about market research, how to conduct it, and where to find free information and statistics to support your market research project.
- Best practice
Learn about best practice techniques and how they can be introduced into your business to give you a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Business Culture
Beyond enjoying your products or services, why do your customers want to do business with you? Consider corporate citizenship as a vital element of your business plan.
- Create a culture of trust with your customers.
- Try to make business ethics a component of your day-to-day operations.
- Management leadership
Learn how to build strong management for your organization, and to lead by example.
- Date modified:


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2012 SPACE Prize Winners Announced
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
by LOLtron » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:39 am
The Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo has announced the winners of their annual awards.
Source: SPACE
SPACE (the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo) has announced the winners of its annual awards. SPACE awards Prizes for the best minicomic, webcomic and "general" comic submitted by exhibitors from the previous year's show. 2012's winners are:
General Category 1st Place (Tie)
Kiss & Tell A Romantic Resume Ages 0 to 22
No One is Safe
3rd Place
Minicomic / Short Story Category
1st Place
2nd Place
"The Only Two" from Panel #18
3rd Place
Webcomic Category
1st Place
2nd Place
Smoke in Your Eyes
The Comicverse
The awards will be presented at SPACE 2013 on April 13th.
Written or Contributed by ThanosCopter
by Garofani Spruzzo » Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:47 pmCool! I bought a few of these last year and can vouch for the picks!
Kiss & Tell A Romantic Resume Ages 0 to 22 by MariNaomi: She's so talented and was also fun to talk to for a minute. I bought her book and minicomic mainly because I enjoyed chatting with her, but then when I read them I was really impressed. It's great when you get a good feeling about someone and take a gamble and their work is so impressive. Her minicomic was about an experience with bedbugs, and we had a chat about the horror of bedbugs even though I've never had them. Then we even tweeted a little back and forth a bit after she left. Sounded like she had a horrible stay in town here, so I hope she makes a return trip someday. But anyways, love her stuff.
No One is Safe by Katherine Wirick: This looked very impressive, but I'll be honest and admit the $35 price was too much for me having already spent most of my cash. I did buy a minicomic of a larger work in progress. Nervenkrank, and was blown away by her technical skill and compositions. Even though this was only the first 8 pages of a GN in progress, her ability to tell a story visually in those 8 pages was really masterful. I've kept tuned in to her progress since and was so sorry to read of some family issues Ms Wirick has been dealing with in her personal life. Congrats on the SPACE prize and best wishes to her and her family.
And Then One Day #9 by Ryan Claytor: Someday I must find the rest of this series, this issue was a fascinating cartoon conversation about the nature of autobiography in comics. This may sound boring, but I assure you it is anything but that. Very thought provoking.
As Eavesdropped #3 by Suzanne Baumann: I think this was only $1? Man, what value for that price. It is what the title sounds like, funny stuff!! This was another case where I just got a good feeling about the person trying to grab my attention to their work. IIRC, she was giving out free little minicomics too and they looked too nice to be free so I bought a couple As Eavesdropped issues too. And I was so glad I did later on.
Well, you can't buy everything you want to sometimes, but it's very cool to see many of my own favorites validated up there in the prize categories. Congrats to all the winners!
by Garofani Spruzzo » Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:55 pmSigh this is going to be one of those threads where only I get excited about it, isn't it?
BlueMole, did you buy anything represented in the winners there?
by BlueStreak » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:00 pm
I bought the MariNaomi stuff. She was a delight to talk to and I was pretty disappointed that she's not coming back this year. I think I have something of Katherine Wirick's as well.
Also, I've got the PANEL comic (although I haven't actually gotten around to reading it yet) and I've been regularly following Katie Valeska's stuff too, since she was part of C4 with me and Ken. She's with James and Joel over at Two-Headed Comics and I've been looking forward to her Little Monsters comic for a year or so. I dunno if she'll have it done by SPACE though...
by Garofani Spruzzo » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:25 pmYeah, I didn't think MariNaomi was going to be coming back...ever. You remember the story of her motel stay, right?
I tried to convince her it was just some of our homespun Midwestern motel prostitution, but I don't think it worked.
by Garofani Spruzzo » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:27 pm
I know who she is, I just can't remember if I've actually read any of her stuff.
by BlueStreak » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:47 pm
Yeah, I heard about that.
What SPACE really needs to do is have the Columbus creators open up their homes to the non-Columbus creators, kind of like a foreign exchange program of sorts. Mind you, that'd probably be as disastrous as a $24.99 motel room...
by Garofani Spruzzo » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:42 pmOr merely any affordable (& clean) travel lodging that isn't kept open solely for truckers and craigslist whores to speed-date.
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Some of the fanciest felines in the Mid-Atlantic region will be strutting their stuff at the annual Cat Fanciers' Association show in Newport News on Saturday.
From the Persians to the Birmans, they will all be there.
And it got us to thinking. Why are there so many movies about dogs, and so comparably few about cats? With that in mind, here's a look at 10 great cats in American pop culture.
Of course, there's Garfield, who has long since left behind his old 1970s rival on the comics pages, Heathcliff. "Garfield" still runs in more than 2,500 newspapers, and he has remained a snarky, lasagna-eating fat cat in movies and commercials (as well...


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WichitaManRegistered User(5/13/05 10:54 am)Reply Re: What was up with the finale preview?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't think Katie will win. I think Tom is going to score the victory. I agree with this writer below who said that Katie (and the rest of the women for that matter) screwed up when they didn't try and put together an all-female alliance.www.realityfanforum.com/m...le&sid=293
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(NewsUSA) – When it comes to homebuilding materials, consumers increasingly want products that are American-made, sustainable and beautiful. In fact, according to a recent Green Builder Media (www.greenbuildermedia.com) study, almost 85 percent of respondents had a positive association with the term "green" and wanted to be known for having a green life.
Green Builder Media's VISION House Series (www.greenbuildermag.com/vision-house) comprises demonstration homes built around the country that showcase the latest in green design, building techniques and products.
For example, visitors to the VISION House in Innoventions at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., can get a chance to see just how beautiful and useful environmentally friendly products can be. At center stage here are two companies that are leading the way in green building materials made in America.
Boral Roofing is the nation's largest manufacturer of sustainable, durable and affordable clay and concrete tile roofing systems, and the only provider of clay roof tile that is Cradle to Cradle certified. The products use recycled content and are Energy Star rated. Boral also makes the revolutionary "Smog Eating Tile."
Armstrong Flooring has over a century-long history of recycling, sustainable harvesting and environmental stewardship. The company's new line of genuine scraped hardwood, called American Scrape, is made in the USA. A portion of the sales generated from American Scrape is donated to Homes for our Troops, a non-partisan organization that builds specially adapted homes for injured veterans.
By specifying U.S.-made green products, builders and home owners aren't just helping the economy, they are helping the earth as well since American-made green products are generally sourced and produced with higher environmental standards.
Green Builder Media is dedicated to spreading the word about sustainable living and green building to building professionals and consumers throughout North America. "Sustainability doesn't have to equal sacrifice," said Ron Jones, President of Green Builder Media and internationally renowned sustainability expert. "You don't have to give up beauty or quality when you choose a green product — there is a wide variety of smart, sustainable and cost-effective products made in the United States that are easy for homebuilders and owners to access."
This article is copyright free. You are free to use it on a blog, website, in a newspaper, or newsletter.
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Who has the edge: Blackhawks or Ducks?by Dave Lozo
The Chicago Blackhawks have been atop the NHL standings since Feb. 2 thanks largely to a start to the season that had never been seen in the League's history.
The Blackhawks suffered three losses – all in shootouts – over their first 24 games, with the third also serving as their only setback over a 16-game stretch from Feb. 2 to March 6.
That one loss came at home against the Anaheim Ducks, a 3-2 defeat that marks the only time the Blackhawks have squandered a third-period lead and lost this season. That win was the second in a streak in which the Ducks went 13-1-3.
Wednesday night, the NHL's two best teams, the Blackhawks and Ducks, will collide in Anaheim (10 p.m. ET, NHLN-US, CSN-CH, FS-W) in a battle for Western Conference bragging rights.
The Blackhawks have 51 points in 29 games; the Ducks have 46 points in 28 games. The Blackhawks and Ducks are in the top five in goals per game and goals-against per game, and their combined five regulation losses are fewer than every team in the NHL except the Montreal Canadiens, who have five.
Both teams boast offensive stars -- Chicago has Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa; Anaheim has Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan -- but they also have scoring depth up front. Chicago's Andrew Shaw, Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell would have a good chance at 20 goals if this were an 82-game season, and Anaheim is receiving career seasons from Andrew Cogliano (10 goals), Saku Koivu (eight) and Kyle Palmieri (seven). That doesn't include Teemu Selanne's six goals and 18 points.
Both teams are scoring in excess of three goals per game, but with Chicago's Patrick Sharp injured and Hossa's status in doubt because of an injury, the Anaheim forwards enter this matchup in better shape even with Perry serving his four-game suspension.
Advantage: Ducks
Along the blue line, it's not quite as even. The Blackhawks have arguably the best group of six defensemen in the League: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Nicklas Hjalmarsson, Nick Leddy, Johnny Oduya and either Michal Rozsival or Sheldon Brookbank. They defend well and contribute offensively, and that unit is largely responsible for holding the opposition to 26.5 shots per game, fourth-best in the League.
Advantage: Blackhawks
When it comes to this category, it's as if each team is looking in a mirror.
They have split the workload between their goalies pretty evenly. Chicago's Corey Crawford has made 17 starts; Ray Emery has made 12. Anaheim's Jonas Hiller has started 15 times; Viktor Fasth has made 13. Fasth and Emery were backups, but injuries to Hiller and Crawford led to increased roles.
Assuming it's Fasth, who made 28 saves in Anaheim's win against Chicago this season, and Crawford, who has allowed two goals in his past two starts, it's a category that is too close to call.
Advantage: Even
Take a look at the NHL's power-play leaders and this one appears to be a no-brainer: the Ducks rank second at 24.7 percent, the Blackhawks are 13th at 18.6 percent. But in power-play goals scored, the Ducks have 20, the Blackhawks have 19. Chicago has had 21 more opportunities this season than Anaheim but has not finished as many.
Of late, the Blackhawks are surging with the man-advantage, having scored on five of 22 chances (22.7 percent) over their past eight games; the Ducks are 1-for-17 in the past seven games.
Due to the latest trend, the Blackhawks, despite lacking Sharp and possibly Hossa, have the edge here.
Advantage: Blackhawks
The special-teams matchup flips in this area: the Blackhawks are 10th in the League at killing penalties at 83.2 percent; the Ducks rank 24th at 78.6 percent. But of late, the Ducks have been figuring it out while the Blackhawks have faltered.
Since Feb. 27, Anaheim has killed 29 of 33 penalties, an 87.9 percent clip. The Ducks allowed multiple power-play goals in five of their first 10 games but have been much steadier since then. The Blackhawks have been porous on the PK of late, allowing seven goals in their past 13 shorthanded situations.
Even if Hossa does play, the Ducks are the hot penalty-killing team now.
Advantage: Ducks
Chicago's Joel Quenneville is 24-2-3; Anaheim's Bruce Boudreau is 21-3-4. Let's agree they're
both in the Jack Adams hunt and move forward.
Advantage: Even
Every team has weaknesses, but these squads have holes on a microscopic level. Both enter this showdown on fire, but with the Blackhawks a bit banged up and the Ducks playing in their home building, where they have won a franchise-record 12 straight games, the pendulum swings ever so slightly toward the Ducks on Wednesday.
Advantage: Ducks


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South Dakota State University have hired Joe Krabbenhoft as their new assistant coach.
The head coach, Scott Nagy, announced the appointment on Thursday as the University look to improve their overall squad.
Nagy believes that the appointment of Krabbenhoft is a good move for him and the University.
"We are constantly looking for good fits for our program and Joe is a great fit," Nagy said to reporters.
"I think it's a good move for him and I know it's a good move for us. Our recruiting base is in the Upper Midwest and he is very well known in that area.
"If you've ever seen Joe play, you know he is hard working and we know he's eager to get started."
Krabbenhoft served as a video co-ordinator for the University of Wisconsin last season while in 2009 he was a volunteer assistant coach at Augustana College.
Krabbenhoft played at Wisconsin University from 2005-2009 and re-wrote the school record books by making 136 career games. During this time the team won 100 games and made four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Wisconsin won both the Big Ten season and Big Ten tournament in 2008 with Krabbenhoft being named in the all-Big Ten Defensive Team in the same year. He was also named in the all-Big Ten Freshman Team in 2006.
After his University playing days, Krabbenhoft embarked on a professional career that included stints with the NBA Development League's Sioux Falls Skyforce and he also played with teams in South Korea, Spain and Greece.
Krabbenhoft will join a University that has reached the NCAA Tournament twice in the past two seasons. South Dakota won the Summit League and the Summit tournament championships last season, winning 25 games and losing 10 games altogether.
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Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.7 percent in the second quarter of 2012 after increasing 2.0 percent in the first quarter, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The second-quarter growth rate was revised up 0.2 percentage point from the advance estimate released in July.
Real GDP second-quarter highlights
• Exports picked up, mainly driven by upturns in industrial supplies and materials and in foods, feeds, and beverages.
• Consumer spending slowed, primarily due to a decline in spending for autos. A pickup in spending for services largely reflected a turnaround in utilities.
• Business investment decelerated; lower spending for power and communication structures was the largest contributor to the slowdown. In contrast, industrial equipment picked up after a first-quarter decline.
• Federal government spending, state and local government spending, and inventory investment decreased less than in the first quarter.
Revisions to GDP
The 0.2-percentage point upward revision to real GDP growth in the second quarter of 2012 reflected a large downward revision to imports and upward revisions to consumer spending, to exports, and to state and local government spending. In contrast, inventory investment was revised down, mainly in wholesale trade industries; business investment in equipment and software was also revised down.
BEA released its preliminary estimate of second-quarter corporate profits. Profits rebounded in the second quarter, rising 0.5 percent at a quarterly rate, after falling 2.7 percent in the first quarter. Profits of nonfinancial corporations rose 2.8 percent, while profits of financial corporations fell 9.1 percent. Profits from the rest of the world rose 4.8 percent.
To learn more about gross domestic product, read the full report.


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Kobe sent LeBron a great text message in 2010
Kobe Bryant's incredibly competitive spirit was on full display in a text message he sent LeBron James during the infamous summer of 2010.
The summer of 2010 was the one where LeBron left Cleveland for Miami to form a Big 3 with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Prior to James announcing his decision, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the MVP's future.
Would he stay in Cleveland? Would he go to the Knicks? Would he consider the Lakers? The Heat weren't even in the picture according to most insiders.
Regardless of where LeBron chose to go, Kobe had a warning for him.
According to Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding, Kobe sent the following awesome text to LeBron that summer:
"Go ahead and get another MVP, if you want. And find the city you want to live in. But we're going to win the championship. Don't worry about it."
Does it get more Kobe Bryant than that?
[Also see: Kobe and LeBron trade trash talk on Christmas 2010]
Despite his bravado, Bryant couldn't have been more wrong about the message he sent LeBron.
Though the Lakers had just won the title — their second in a row (LeBron won NBA MVP both seasons) — James led his Heat to the NBA Finals each of the next four seasons. The Mavs won the title the next season, and then LeBron got his rings — two in a row — before the Spurs ending that streak in June. The Lakers haven't been back to the Finals since Kobe sent that message.
[Related: Kobe tells LeBron one ring is not enough]
I'm not a Kobe fan, but you have to admire his competitive spirit. That guy is oozing with confidence and belief in himself and his teammates. His drive, desire and will to win have helped him win five NBA titles.
That story about the text message came as part of a cool article Ding wrote on "untold stories" about Kobe. I suggest you check out the entire thing for more nice Kobe stories.