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Alterations in a nine-biomarker panel plus smoking intensity predicted survival in patients with bladder cancer, a tissue-based study showed.
The protein panel, combined with the duration of a smoking habit and the volume of daily cigarette use, provided a more accurate prognostic forecast than did clinicopathologic features with (P<0.001) or without (P=0.018) smoking intensity, reported Richard Cote, MD, of the University of Miami, and colleagues in Cancer online.
Three individual biomarkers -- apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf-1), E-cadherin, and p53 -- also predicted bladder cancer survival, but only E-cadherin remained prognostic after multivariable analysis, they said, adding that increasing smoking intensity was an independent predictor of worse outcome (P<0.001).
"Increasing number of biomarker alterations was significantly associated with worsening survival, although markers comprising the panel were not necessarily prognostic individually," they explained. "These findings can potentially affect [bladder cancer] management across all stages."
They added that the documenting tobacco-use history is important as "increasing smoking intensity was identified as a unique independent variable that may be associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, the nine-biomarker panel can be employed as a tool to identify patients in need of more aggressive treatment, independent of routine clinicopathological parameters or smoking history."
Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder arises from alterations in several cellular processes. Efforts to identify alterations in biomarkers associated with urothelial cancer have focused on individual markers or multiple markers within the same cellular process, according to the authors.
More recently, several groups, including Cote and colleagues, have employed biomarker-panel approaches to develop alteration profiles across several signaling pathways involved in bladder cancer. Most of the studies have not accounted for common risk factors' influence on outcome.
Cote's group reported findings from a study that combined the prognostic value of molecular alterations involved in bladder cancer and smoking intensity in a multicenter cohort. The study involved 212 patients with primary bladder cancer diagnosed from 1987 to 1996 and with available archived tissue.
Investigators performed immunohistochemical analysis of tissue specimens from each patient to assess expression of Bax (a tumor antigen), caspase-3, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, p53, p21, cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and E-cadherin.
The patients were separated into three categories of smoking intensity:
- Nonsmokers and patients who smoked ≤20 cigarettes a day for ≤30 years
- Patients who smoked for 31 to 40 years or >20 cigarettes a day for ≤30 years
- Patients who smoked for >40 years
Analysis of clinical and histopathologic data showed that age, pathologic stage, surgical modality, and adjuvant therapy had significant associations with survival (P=0.050 to P<0.001).
Increasing pathologic stage was associated with increased frequency of alterations in p53 (P<0.001), E-cadherin (P=0.002), p21 (P=0.022), and Apaf-1 (P=0.047).
Expression of p53, E-cadherin, and p21 was associated with surgery (P=0.046 to P<0.001). The majority of the patients (93%) with nonmuscle invasive tumors had transurethral resection, while 74% of patients with muscle-invasive or nodal metastasized disease underwent radical cystectomy.
Increased smoking intensity was associated with poor outcome (P<0.001). Additionally, a smoking history greater than 30 years was associated with an increased risk of COX-2 alterations (P=0.020) and number of cigarettes smoked daily with Bax expression (P=0.008). Smoking intensity had no associations with the types of alterations in markers.
Alterations in three of the nine biomarkers had significant associations with poor prognosis:
- Apaf-1 (P=0.005)
- E-cadherin (P=0.014)
- p53 (P=0.032)
By multivariate analysis, pathologic stage (P=0.003) and smoking intensity (P<0.001) retained statistically significant associations with outcome, as did E-cadherin (P=0.040).
The patients were grouped according to number of biomarkers with alterations (≤3, 4 or 5, and 6 to 9). Increasing number of biomarkers with alterations was associated with poor prognosis in the overall population (P<0.001) and in separate analyses of patients with muscle-invasive (P=0.001) and nonmuscle-invasive disease (P=0.022).
A survival model based on age, pathologic stage, surgical modality, and adjuvant therapy resulted in an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 75.6%. Adding smoking intensity to the model significantly improved performance (ROC 80.9%, P=0.012).
The addition of individual biomarkers to the curve increased the model's predictive accuracy, regardless of the biomarker's association with survival. The final model that included clinical-histopathologic factors, smoking intensity, and all nine biomarkers had an ROC of 85.4% (P<0.001 versus base model). The final model also was superior to a model consisting of baseline covariates and smoking intensity (P=0.018).
"Although validation of this panel is needed, this study clearly demonstrates that a multipathway-based approach to constructing rational marker panels holds potential for future [bladder cancer] management," the authors said.
The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute.
The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
- Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Nurse Planner


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Pioneer Club There will be Pioneer Club at Rock Hill Mennonite Church for grades kindergarten thru eighth grade from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., December 18. Additional information may be obtained by calling 485-9074.
Christmas Cantata "Voices of Christmas" will be presented at Cito United Methodist Church, 3746 Cito Road, Mc- Connellsburg, Saturday, December 14, at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
Christmas Program Laurel Ridge Christian Church will hold its Christmas program December 13 and 14, at 7 p.m. Come and enjoy "A Cricket County Christmas Cruise."
Christmas Musical Warfordsburg Presbyterian Children's Musical, "Christmas Carol Report," will be performed December 22, at 7 p.m. A reception will follow.
Christmas at Calvary Calvary Independent Baptist Church, 140 McGoverns Lane, McConnellsburg, invites all to join in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at a living nativity December 21, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; a Christmas cantata "Star of Hope" December 22, at 6:30 p.m., and a candlelight service December 24, at 6 p.m. Any questions call 717-458-4745.
Christmas Eve Service A service of lessons and carols, with special music by the band Joyful Noise will be held at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 228 North Second Street, Mc- Connellsburg, Tuesday, December 24, at 6 p.m.
Live Nativity A live nativity program will be held at Immanuel Bible Church of Three Springs Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. each night. Please join in and share the wonderful miracle of the first Christmas. There is no charge and all are welcome. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be served after each performance. For more information or in case of inclement weather please visit www.ibcthreesprings.org.
Elementary Snowball McConnellsburg Alumni & Friends Association will sponsor a 2013 elementary Snowball December 28, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the alumni community gym. Krissie Earley will be taking pictures during the evening. She will also be doing family portraits for any families who are interested in coming into the gym during the Snowball. Anyone wishing to help or having questions please contact 485-0221 or 377-3643. Decorating will be Friday night, December 27, starting at 7 p.m., and then again on Saturday, December 28, starting at 8 a.m. Picture papers can be picked up at the alumni community gym December 9-13, anytime between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 14, from 8:30 a.m. to noon; December 16 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, December 20, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, December 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mic/Jam Night McConnellsburg Alumni & Friends Association will host a free Mic and Jam Night Saturday, December 21. Alumni gym will open at 4 p.m., with music starting at 5 p.m. All ages are invited to come and listen, dance and enjoy a night out. Anyone wishing to perform December 21, 2013, please contact John Hendershot at 328-2899 to be put on the schedule or just show up.
Library Teen Christmas Party Fulton County Library's Teen Advisory Board will hold its Christmas party Friday, December 20, at 6 p.m., in the community room. The group will be baking cookies and watching Christmas movies. Those interested in being part of a Christmas gift exchange are asked to bring a "unisex" gift valued at $5 to $10. All teens ages 13 to 19 are welcome to attend.
Open Stage Hustontown Area Volunteer Fire Co. will sponsor an open stage Saturday, December 28, at 6 p.m. Kitchen opens at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Shooting Match Hustontown Area Volunteer Fire Co. will sponsor a 410 only shooting match Saturday, December 21, at 1 p.m. Sign-in begins at noon. Special round for a Christmas meal will be held. New season, new features.
Open Mic Night Open Mic Night will be held at Warfordsburg Senior Center December 14, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. There will be a canned goods collection and at 7:30 p.m. a baked goods auction for Ada Fletcher, who lost her home to a fire. Canned goods (good date and not dented) and homemade baked goods will be welcomed. For more information call 717-294-6020.
P.O.W.E.R. Meetings P.O.W.E.R. (Parents Offering Wisdom, Education and Release) will meet on the following dates: January 13 and 27 and February 20 and 24. The goal of the group is to support and educate the community, the addict and the families of addicts to the issues and problems that can occur when dealing with addicts and their recovery programs. Emotional and possible financial support are also offered to any individual who might need it to successfully overcome an addiction. The meeting is held at 292 Buchanan Trail. For more information, contact Susanne Reed at 717-414- 9695.
Friends Of Meadow Grounds Meeting Friends of Meadow Grounds Lake holds a monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of every month except December at 6 p.m. at Community State Bank at 415 Fulton Drive (runs from the Giant to Cito Road). The public is invited to attend and contribute.
Sportsmen's League Meeting Fulton County Sportsmen's League will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the stone house at the trout nursery December 20. Officers and board members for 2014 will be nominated and elected. A special Christmas door prize drawing will be held for members in attendance.
Community Wellness/Silver Sneakers/Prime Community Wellness/Silver Sneakers/Prime will be held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Ful- ton County Medical Center cardiopulmonary rehab gym. The cost is based on insurance. Call Kim or Patti at 717-485-6149 to see if insurance provider is accepted. Community Wellness is $40/month/person or $70/month/couple.
Red Cross Blood Drive A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Warfordsburg Faith Center December 19, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Yoga Classes Reaching Wellness yoga classes will be held for all ages every Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at Community State Bank. Call for cost and to register at 717-485- 4492.
Nutrition Class Fulton County nutrition awareness classes are held at Warfordsburg Senior Center on the third Monday of every month. When the third Monday is a holiday, the class is held the fourth Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. To register or sign up for lunch call 717-294-6020.
McConnellsburg AA Meetings The McConnellsburg Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous will meet on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. every week at the Alumni Building basement, McConnellsburg.
Book Signing and Sale Gerry Lute, author and donor, will host a book signing and sale of "The Life and Legacy of John L. Grove," Friday, December 13, (Heritage Christmas), from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.at #31 Center Square, Greencastle (site of Heritage in Home Care Services). All event income will be delivered directly to Scout Troops of Tuscarora and Great Cove districts of the Mason-Dixon Council BSA. Leatherbound and numbered books are $40, clothbound are $25. Signed books may also be ordered from any Scout of the districts or by contacting Joe Mellott at 717-496-1354 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Wells Tannery Luminaries Help is needed Sunday, December 15, at 1 p.m., at Wells Tannery Community Park with the annual luminary project. Additional help is needed at 11 a.m. December 24 at the park to distribute the luminaries. Questions can be directed to Howard and Ronda Barnett at 814- 685-3617.
Veterans Assistance Dan McIntyre, assistant state service office of Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be at McConnellsburg VFW to assist veterans with service-connected disability claims. Primary day is the second Wednesday of every month and the alternate day is the fourth Wednesday of the month. Also available by appointments. Contact 717-414- 0675 or email@example.com.
Free Meal A free meal will be served the second Tuesday of each month at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 220 North Third Street. Please join in for good fellowship.
McCbg. Bingo McConnellsburg Fire Co. will hold bingo every Monday and Friday of each week. Bingo starts at 7:00 p.m. and doors open at 5:30 p.m.

subset: commoncrawl


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Gucci Mane - Don't You Pull Up On Me (Performance)[Unreleased]
" Gucci Mane track produced by Shawty redd. This video was filmed over a year ago while recording for the Gucci Mane & Hood Affairs DVD "Trap-a-holic 2" " - Hood Affairs
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This press release was provided by Floyd Smith III
Scottsbluff – The West Nebraska Family Research & History Center is proud to announce today that after a seven year application and waiting process, it is the newest Family Search affiliate library. The new designation means library patrons will have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through Family Search.
Family Search is the world's largest repository of genealogical records and manages the famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. It has amassed billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land, and court records of genealogical significance from over 130 counties.
Family Search is extending access to its collections by circulating microfilms of the historic records through select libraries that were able to meet strict criteria. The West Nebraska Family Research & History Center is now one of those libraries. It is a priceless resource for local residents interested in discovering their family tree.
There is a nominal fee to order microfilm, but once the film arrives, patrons use the microfilm readers at the West Nebraska Family Research & History Center to peruse it. The library staff can help patrons see what films are available, place film orders, and answer research questions. Patrons can also search the Family History Library Catalog online at FamilySearch.org to see what records are available to order and have them delivered to the West Nebraska Family Research & History Center.
For questions about Family Search.org, microfilm or the ordering process, please contact:
West Nebraska Family Research & History Center


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I have been thinking a lot about these degrees lately, as I have slowly come to the realization that I need to have my doctorate in order to continue to advance in my career. Not having the title "Dr." seems to inhibit career advancement….. but what does that really mean? Read the rest of this entry »
Tag Archives: doctorate
32 Days 'til 40: EdD vs. PhD…..
87 Days 'til 40: The Educational PROCESS
Today I watched the following video about education: Education as a Process!
I LOVE this video! It is so simple, yet so true. Education is not about arriving at a destination, education is a PROCESS that, when participated in correctly, should last a lifetime. Yet, we approach education as though there is an end point. My partner often refers to how anti-climactic the educational process was. She was completely convinced (as a young person) that when she obtained her PhD she would feel as though she had "arrived." However, when the time actually arrived and her degree was granted, she realized that she knew "a lot about nothing." She was disappointed. In her case, she also had a doctorate in a field that was hard to transfer into a job, something she had not thought about while on that higher education train. Read the rest of this entry »


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US official: Taliban ignoring talks overtures
A senior U.S. official says the Taliban won't join talks with the United States because of a dispute over the name of its office in Qatar.
The official said Wednesday the Taliban never replied to an offer to meet U.S. diplomats in Doha on June 23. He said that's because the Taliban insist their facility be called the "Political Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" and be identified as such on an exterior sign.
The United States and Afghanistan objected to the name and the sign when the office first opened. Qatari mediators got the Taliban to remove them but the official said the group now insists they be replaced. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak by name about the matter.


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The advantages seem obvious.
The New York Rangers are the faster of the two teams in the Stanley Cup Final, while the Kings are the more physical.
The difference is that an admission of the latter challenges machismo, something that likely wouldn't go over smoothly with any hockey player.
The manner in which the Kings' earned a 3-2 win in overtime of Game 1 didn't convince Rangers center Ryan McDonagh his team was pushed around.
"For the majority of the game, I felt we were matching them, too, physically," McDonagh said Friday. "We had some big hits ourselves. We understand they're going to be physical on us and we're not going to shy away from it for sure."
To McDonagh's credit, the Rangers may have been the more physical team in the first period of Game 1. The Kings came out of the first intermission with a different attitude and only continued to impose their will more effectively as the game progressed.
There have been admissions that the emotion of a third consecutive seven-game series effected the Kings' start to Game 1, but the team's physical nature figures to resemble that of the latter two periods for the rest of the Stanley Cup Final.
"I think, obviously, the turnaround — guys are not machines," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said Friday. "It was an emotional series against Chicago, Game 7. You play seven games, actually three overtime periods in there, when you add that in there you're close to eight games when it was all said and done. It was tough."
It's difficult to decipher how much the Rangers' surge to a 2-0 lead was due to the Kings' fatigue and how much was due to the Rangers' speed. Both of New York's first-period goals came courtesy of breakaways.
"They came at us with a lot of speed," Kings center Jeff Carter said. "They were throwing pucks at the net from everywhere. Seems like we were just kind of standing around watching them."
Though the Kings recovered nicely from the first period, the Rangers slipped behind the defense one more time, but Jonathan Quick made a clutch save with 40 seconds to play.
One game into the Stanley Cup Final, the Kings are well aware of their opponent's skating ability, but that doesn't mean they can defend against it.
"We talked a lot about it," Sutter said of the Rangers' speed, "but you still have to engage in it."
Familiar face
Game 1 was the first time Kings right wing Marian Gaborik faced his former team since the Rangers traded him in the middle of the 2013 season.
"It was a little weird to start out with, but as soon as the puck dropped, it was playing like any other team," Gaborik said. "Well, I mean, nothing really surprised me because everybody knows, and I know, that they have a really balanced team, great goaltending."
After three and a half seasons with the Rangers, the leading goal scorer in these playoffs was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets last season before he was shipped to the Kings in a trade deadline deal this year.
Gaborik had 11 goals in an injury-marred regular season, but has produced 12 thus far in the postseason.
Key returns
Both teams figure to gain key defensemen in Saturday's Game 2.
The Kings' Robyn Regehr was held out of Game 1 because of a knee injury he suffered in the first game of the second-round series against the Ducks. He declared himself ready to play before Game 1, but Sutter indicated the two-day break before Game 2 was worth the time for him to heal.
No announcement has been made, but the Rangers' John Moore is eligible to return for Game 2 after serving a two-game suspension for a shot to the head of Montreal's Dale Weise in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. The larger, more physical Moore could prove a better fit against the physically imposing Kings.
— Clay Fowler
Lateral movement
Most players can skate backward without a great deal of trouble, although defensemen are generally better at it than forwards. There's no one who isn't a good skater going forward, although some are a little faster than others, especially with the puck on their stick.
But how about sideways?
Willie Mitchell marveled at fellow Kings defenseman Drew Doughty's ability to move laterally with the puck while making a move that produced the tying goal in the second period of Game 1.
"There are very few defensemen in the league who can skate sideways," Mitchell said. "If you watch that goal, he was pretty much skating sideways to make his little shuffle there. We all know probably one of the best defensemen ever to play the game, (Nicklas) Lidstrom, and how he could skate sideways. We're fortunate enough to have a player of that magnitude to do that and he knew he had to do that to get us back in the game after the stuff early on."
More on Doughty
Sutter fields questions almost daily about Doughty's remarkable progress. Someone asked Thursday whether Sutter believes he looks at the 24-year-old defenseman in a different way because he's built some credibility with the coach.
"Plays a little more probably, for sure," Sutter said. "Didn't kill penalties. Now he kills penalties. Plays against top players a lot. He's a young player. I think when you do all the analytics on athletes, he's a long ways from being as good as he's going to be just because of his age."
Indeed, there's still room for growth and improvement.
"Learn to manage your ice time better, learning to manage what's going on, on the ice," Sutter said when asked what Doughty could do better in the coming seasons. "You become a better shot-selection guy. You become a better penalty killer.
"You learn the league better. You learn players on the other teams better. Nuances of star players. You learn how to handle your practice habits, nutrition, what you do on game days. All that stuff. What can he do better? As I said, there's a big difference between being 25 and 35."
— Elliott Teaford
Small world
The L.A.-New York storylines are plentiful. New York is winning the hockey popularity contest over Los Angeles, which hasn't drawn good television ratings in the postseason.
Asked about this big-city matchup helping gain more notoriety for hockey in Los Angeles, Sutter said: "I live here in Manhattan Beach, not in Los Angeles. Everybody knows what's going on with the Kings. It's great because it's a small-town attitude or small-town atmosphere."
Most Kings players and much of the front-office staff live in the South Bay, so it's a bit of a bubble. That's a tiny section compared to the roughly 10 million people who live in L.A. County.
— Jill Painter


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It was sorta interesting what LeAnn had to say about Twila ..sounds like maybe they didn't spend time together at losers lodge or they are not on speaking terms
Owned by members of the semi-nomadic Laikipiak Masai tribe, this six-banda (bungalow) open-plan lodge, which sleeps up to 12 people, sits inside the tribe's 60,000-acre ranch, giving you access to lands that run from the Mokogodo Escarpment across massive plains to the Ngare Ndare River, along which gazelle and buffalo roam. The Laikipiak are renowned for their hospitalitythe losers of Survivor Africa were sent here to lick their woundsand their guest lodge has a laid-back, all-natural vibe: thatch roofs, wood floors, hand-carved furniture, paraffin hot-water heaters, and half walls in the bedrooms, which are designed to let cool breezes in without impeding the views of Lolokwe Mountain.
yes..I believe they do spend there time together . This is probably where Twila & Sarge make babies together *
My eyes Me eyes ! I just had a visual and went Blind ?
How much is the fine t ? ??
How much is the fine?
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Homosexuality and promiscuity
Concerning homosexuality and promiscuity, in 2004 the Baptist Press reported the following: "A new study by a group of University of Chicago researchers reveals a high level of promiscuity and unhealthy behavior among that city's homosexual male population. According to the researchers, 42.9 percent of homosexual men in Chicago's Shoreland area have had more than 60 sexual partners, while an additional 18.4 percent have had between 31 and 60 partners...As a result, 55.1 percent of homosexual males in Shoreland -- known as Chicago's "gay center"—have at least one sexually transmitted disease, researchers said."[3][4]
In September of 2006, the Agape Press reported the following:
| A survey by The Advocate, a homosexual magazine, revealed that promiscuity is a reality among homosexuals. The poll found that 20 percent of homosexuals said they had had 51-300 different sex partners in their lifetime, with an additional 8 percent having had more than 300.
Unprotected homosexual sex is also a concern among health professionals. A survey in Ireland by the Gay Men's Health Project found that almost half of homosexuals said they were having unprotected sex....
The fact that many homosexuals appear to live their lives in sexual overdrive does not seem to concern leaders in the movement. In an editorial from the same issue (August 15) in which the survey results were published, The Advocate said: "[Homosexuals] have been proud leaders in the sexual revolution that started in the 1960s, and we have rejected attempts by conservatives to demonize that part of who we are."[5]
In November of 2007 the news organization One News Now reported the following regarding Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth remarks about the spead of AIDS via male homosexual promiscuity and a conference on AIDS featuring Pastor Rick Warren and Senator Hillary Clinton:
| Pro-family activist Peter LaBarbera says he shares Pastor Warren's desire to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS but wonders what solutions a politician who is an ardent supporter of the homosexual agenda has to offer in combating the disease. "He says that he's a co-belligerent with people who he disagrees with on other issues," notes LaBarbera, "[so] I guess the question would be: does he disagree strongly with Hillary Clinton's approach to homosexuality and even the AIDS crisis?"
Although he admits he is skeptical of what solutions a defender of the homosexual lifestyle like Clinton has to offer churches for fighting the HIV/AIDS crisis, the activist is calling on Warren and Clinton to use the upcoming summit to tackle the problem of homosexual promiscuity, which often results in HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
"We have homosexual bath houses operating in major cities across this nation," LaBarbera notes. "These are places where men go for anonymous sexual liaisons with other men. They're bringing the HIV virus back to innocent women, because some of these men do not identify as 'gay' and they're even married. So what about that aspect of the AIDS crisis?"[6]
Another study involving male homosexuality examined the sexual profiles of 2,583 older homosexual men and was published in the Journal of Sex Research in 1997.[7] This study of male homosexuality found that 2.7 percent of these men claimed to have had sex with one partner only.[8]
The David P. McWhirter, M.D., and Andrew M. Mattison, M.S.W., Ph.D. study reported in their 1984 work The Male Couple: How Relationships Develop stated that in regards to relationships involving male homosexuality that "all couples with a relationship lasting more than 5 years have incorporated some provision for outside sexual activity in their relationships."[9]
Homosexual Male Promiscuity in the United States in the 1970s
Dr. Hewitt wrote the following regarding homosexual male promiscuity in United States in the 1970s in the Journal of Sex Research:
|Gay liberation in the 1970s was accompanied by an explosion of gay sexuality, especially in tolerant cities such as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, where gays concentrated. The director of the New York City Department of Health describes the situation as follows: "By their own reports, many men had large numbers of sexual partners annually, often numbering in the hundreds and even in the thousands. Frenetic casual and anonymous sex was widespread among homosexual and bisexual men. Bathhouses, back rooms of bars and clubs, and other public settings such as erotic bookstores and movie theaters were, in effect, wide open...these practices and more were accompanied by extremely high rates of sexually transmitted diseases and set the scene for the rapid transmission of HIV once it appeared in the late 1970s. Rates of rectal and oral gonorrhea in males soared..."[10]
See also
- Homosexuality and health
- Gay bathhouses
- Homosexual circuit parties and disease
- Homosexuality Statistics
Other related articles:
- Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence
- Homosexuality and murders
- Homosexuality and pedophilia
- Homosexuality and bestiality
- ↑ Baptist Press, MARRIAGE DIGEST: New study: Homosexual men prone to promiscuity by Michael Foust (Posted on Jan 16, 2004)
- ↑ An excerpt from The Sexual Organization of the City - Chapter 2 - The Chicago Health and Social Life Survey Design - concerning Chicago's "Shoreland" area
- ↑ Baptist Press, MARRIAGE DIGEST: New study: Homosexual men prone to promiscuity by Michael Foust (Posted on Jan 16, 2004)
- ↑ An excerpt from The Sexual Organization of the City - Chapter 2 - The Chicago Health and Social Life Survey Design - concerning Chicago's "Shoreland" area
- ↑ http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/152006g.asp
- ↑ https://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/11/warren_clinton_urged_to_tackle.php
- ↑ Paul Van de Ven et al., "A Comparative Demographic and Sexual Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men," Journal of Sex Research 34 (1997): p. 354.
- ↑ Paul Van de Ven et al., "A Comparative Demographic and Sexual Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men," Journal of Sex Research 34 (1997): p. 354.
- ↑ United Families International citing the book The Male Couple: How Relationships Develop by David McWhirther and Andrew Mattison (Englewood Cliffs:Prentice-Hall, 1984), pages 252-253
- ↑ Journal of Sex Research article found at findarticles.com


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Correct me if I'm wrong, but mostly as atheists, we believe in nothingness after death, or at least I think I do. But then we have all of this stuff with mediums and spirits that maybe point to evidence to an afterlife. Some mediums have told people things that no one else has known, so that really makes me wonder.
I was really just wondering what everyone's opinions were on afterlife and spirits and stuff like that. Like, what exactly do you think happens after death?
Views: 1937
Really think I didn't know that?
You move in mysterious ways
Sometimes I even zigzag!
I dont believe in an afterlife - I think we live on in our children and we become worm food.
But if your interested in things like mediums and seances you have to get into Derren Brown.
You will love him
May I offer a modest proposal?
If we don't have enough money for universal health care and expenses mount, our children can cook and eat us and we can really live on in them.
Or. as Atheists are all too often accused of, we could eat their babies, and continue to live on in them --
Logically speaking, the undoubted existence of frauds and charlatans and the ability to fake it, doesn't in itself preclude that it can be true. We can have fake Rolexes - that doesn't mean that there can be no real Rolexes.
Doesn't preclude that it can be true - exactly like pointing to the fact that although mankind has imagined thousands of deities, that doesn't preclude the possibility that one of those imagined deities might actually exist. Poppycock.
I like the hindu version of things. It may be more faith than fact but it I like its implications of do good and move up the ladder, do bad and slip down the snake. It makes you accountable for your life. Good karma.
Anyone who gets their sense of accountability from fear of becoming a dung beatle in a future life doesn't deserve reincarnation, not even as a dung beatle. Karma is just the same silly human superstition that drives Catholic guilt manifesting itself in a different way. It's a true challenge to rise above that superstition and pettyness and be moral simply because you know it's right.
I see dead people.
But then we have all of this stuff with mediums and spirits that maybe point to evidence to an afterlife.


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New Zealand Uses Earthquake As An Excuse To Sneak 3 Strikes Law Through
from the well-isn't-that-nice dept
Of course, that proposal hadn't been touched since last December... and yet suddenly it's being pushed through quickly, to the surprise of many New Zealand politicians who had no idea it was even on the docket. Even more nefarious? Supporters are trying to attach it to an emergency bill related to earthquake recovery efforts in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake. Of course, no politician wants to be seen holding up an earthquake recovery bill. This is the ultimate in underhanded moves by politicians, at the behest of the entertainment industry, to ram through broken policies by attaching it to a separate bill. Update: Good explanation in the comments showing that this bill wasn't "attached" to the earthquake bill, but rather just put through the same process in parallel.


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- Date Taken: 20-May-2017 12:42:05
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Maker Faire Bay Area 2017: Live Updates and More
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Sophia is the managing editor of the Make: blog. When she's not greasing editorial gears, she likes to run, ride, climb, and lift things, and make lo-tech goods like zines, desserts, and altered clothing. @sophiuhcamille
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BABO-chan is looking forward seeing you!
Kato, a wing-spiker from Oita, is a revelation amongst a Japanese volleyball team, which has rarely fired on the international arena. In a sport where Japan is crying out for champions Kato is a leader in his field. The 26-year-old has just completed his first season for Sisley Treviso, who reached the final of the prestigious Italian League.
This move obviously speaks volumes for the class of Kato and he is lapping up the opportunity to play with the best of the best. An experience like that is just what Japanese players need, especially if they are to be more competitive in the World League and Kato recognizes the fact. "In Italy, Volleyball is considered a professional sport and players are asked to play volleyball as their work, while in Japan players have other jobs and volleyball is not at this level, it's an amateur sport," he said. "As for the players "duties", like playing a precise position like setter, middle-blocker etc., in Japan I was asked to be universal, while in Italy everyone has a precise role and for me it's easier to focus on my precise duties."
At only 190cm Kato is a joy to watch, especially with his inspirational attacking arm and leadership qualities. He has been liken to "a little terrier" on the court and Japan's pool opponents - France, the Czech Republic and Greece - better be on guard although, his bark is worse than his bite.
Kato in Brief:
Wing-spiker Yo
Kato, 196cm tall and 26 years old, made his club debut in 1991 with the Japanese club Uenogaoka Jnr. High School. He appeared for the first time in an international match in a series of friendlies with the Czech Republic in 1997. He then went on to represent his country at the 1998 and 2002 World Championship, the 1999 World Cup, the 2001 World Grand Champions Cup and has played for Japan in the 2001 and 2002 World League editions. Kato is a self confessed follower of Japanese pop music and food, likes Sydney Sheldon books and also likes to play tennis.


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New York's Court of Appeals agreed to hear challenges from an energy company and a farmer who are fighting hydraulic-fracturing bans in two upstate towns, as the industry watches closely amid a broader effort to drill for natural gas in the state.
Continue Reading Below
Buffalo, N.Y.-based Norse Energy is challenging a ban in Dryden, while Cooperstown Holstein is battling the town of Middlefield.
In 2011, Dryden amended its zoning laws to ban hydraulic fracturing, a process that uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to extract natural gas from shale formations underground. Middlefield made a similar move that same year.
Lower courts upheld the laws in both towns. Companies and landowners had argued that New York's Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Law, which gives the power to regulate oil and gas drilling to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, has precedence over local zoning laws.
The cases would have implications for another 50 towns in the state that have banned fracking. New York itself has held a state-wide moratorium for about five years. The state has said it's in the process of studying health effects as it considers an end to the moratorium.
In neighboring Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale has helped energy firms flourish as they drill for natural gas there. The Marcellus Shale also extends into New York, where many landowners have urged for the start of fracking.
A dairy farmer, Jennifer Huntington, is challenging the restriction in Middlefield.
Earlier this month, Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK), the nation's second-largest gas producer behind Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), was said to be walking away from drilling leases in New York amid uncertainty over the fracking moratorium. Chesapeake.


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Beauty: Anna
Senior: Eugene
Anna has a cleaning job at a local company and she is pretty happy with it. However, Eugene, her manager, is quite short of money so he has to let her go. But Anna is determined to keep her job. In fact, she is willing to do anything to stay on...
Watch The Full Story....
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Featured Games
Frogar.io is a fast paced strategy .io game featuring frogs chasing flies and staying away of other frogs!
Fight to be the last one alive! Try to drive other players into the lava in this fast paced .io game.
New Games
GoBattle.io is a fun side scroller .io game where you take on other knights for all the glory!
Battlecube.online allows players to kill each other in a fun cubic world!
A beachball is your weapon and the sand shores is the backdrop in this fun .io game.
Grow your army and defend your territory in this fun expansion style .io game!
Lasersharks.io is an awesome .io game where you go up against other sharks with lasers on their heads!
Random Games
Gravitygame.io is a fun .io game where you play with the forces of gravity to survive and win!
Braains.io is a survival style .io game where you want the timer to end before the zombies get you!
Galax.io is a fast paced arena battle style .io game where you fly around and kill other ships with your lasers!
Starve.io is a strategy based .io game where you survive the wilderness by collecting and crafting items.
Mudwars.io is a fun battle arena style .io game where you mud around in tanks and destroy everyone!
DatTank.com is a action .io game where you drive around your tank to crush the others!
Relive this classic childhood game online by pegging your opponent in the face!
Bloble.io is a fun tower defense style .io game where you build up your base and grow your army to defend against the rest!
Timaleon.io is a fun shooter style .io game where you fly around taking out other spaceships!
Curvefever.io is a fun snake style .io game where you snake around and try to cut off your opponents!
Exocraft.io is a fun explorer style .io game where you mine your way to success!
A beachball is your weapon and the sand shores is the backdrop in this fun .io game.
Blastarena.io offers fun gameplay where you drop bombs to blow up other players.
In 2099.io, you play as a robot and try to destroy the alien robots around you!
Enjoy a friendly, competitive, fast-paced, game of soccer! You'll be matched up with other online players for a challenge. Goooooooooooall!!!!
Rewind.Space is a fun .io game where your tail is your weapon against all the other baddies!
Rangersteve.io - This game is about flying around the map and killing the most enemies in highly intensive battles.
Grow your army and defend your territory in this fun expansion style .io game!
Bomby.io has players running around trying to blow each other up with bombs!
Generals.io is a fun .io game where you grow your territory and conquer others!
Orpe.ga is a fun space shooter .io game where you fly around and shoot down other players!
The endless fight between the cat and the mouse rages on in this cute and fun .io game!
In painty.io, you play as a tank that shoots paintballs at the other tanks to kill them!
FoodFight.ga is a shooter-based .io game where you hurl food to take out other students!
Take out the other bombermen in this intense Minecraft style bomber .io game!
War with other ships in space to see who will dominate the galaxy!
Moomoo.io pits you against other players in the wildness where you must survive by collecting and crafting items!
Nafk.io is a splix.io style .io game where you defend your flag and land against your foes!
Gotia.io is a battle style .io game where you slice your foes for domination!
GoBattle.io is a fun side scroller .io game where you take on other knights for all the glory!
Celestia.io is a shooter style .io game where you grow your ball of light to shoot and take out your foes!
Trigon.io is a fun .io game where you fly a ship, upgrade weapons, and take out your enemies!
Paper.io is a fun .io game where you play as paper and try to make the biggest territory!
Paku.io is a fun .io game where your goal is to eat your way to be the biggest!
FireHungry.Online is a fun battle arena style .io game where you shoot flames at your enemies to get to the top!
Grow to be the biggest ball around in this 3D version of an agar.io style game!
Starblast.io is a fun MOBA style .io game where you shoot other ships and asteroids into oblivion!
LittleBigSnake.com takes the slither.io model and turns it on its head. If you love this genre, try this game out!
Erth.io is a fun side scroller .io game where you build up your character to become the best adventurer ever!
Pick the right channel to see if you win in this hilarious and odd .io game!
Gooz.online is a fun shooter type .io game where you can upgrade weapons to get your foes!
Hexagor.io is a strategy style .io game where you conquer territories and defend your own!
Force Ship pits you against other spaceships and you try to run each other into asteroids!
s0urce.io is a unique .io game where you hack other players for their Bitcoin. It is great fun!
SumoTi.me gives you the chance to be the sumo wrestler you have always wanted to be!
Sail the high seas taking down other pirates to get stronger in this swashbucklin' fun .io game!
Gons.io is a fun .io game where you build up your poly-sided character to take out the competition!
Destroy your enemy's base with bombs in this action packed .io game.
BrawlieS is a unique survival style .io game where you can partner with other players to run away from the monsters that attack!
Battlecube.online allows players to kill each other in a fun cubic world!
Anomal.io is a fun .io game where you grow bigger, avoid the mushrooms, and eat other players!
Your goal in spacesymbols.io is to absorb all other symbols to be the only in the universe!
Warin.space is a fun .io game where you collect scrap, upgrade your ship, and survive!
In Starflict.io, you build your orbit up by collecting the most star dust!
Squadd.io is a fun MOBA style .io game that throws you in the arena in a free for all battle!
Skyfight.io is a fast paced dog-fighting .io game! Shoot down as many planes as you can.
Supersnake.io is a slither style .io game where you try to grow and kill the other snakes!
Frogar.io is a fast paced strategy .io game featuring frogs chasing flies and staying away of other frogs!
Fight to be the last one alive! Try to drive other players into the lava in this fast paced .io game.
Meduzzza.io is a fun .io game where you grow in size and take out the rest!
Slither.io is a fast paced .io game where your move around, grow, and devour your competition!
Play the biggest game of match that have ever played in this fun .io game!
Cubee.io is a survival style .io game where you gather and build to defend yourself!
Slay.one is a fast paced strategy shooter style .io game where you try take to take out as many zombies as you can!
In this agar.io style .io game, eat orbs to grow and eliminate the other players!
Mechar.io pits you against other futuristic robots in fun MOBA style gameplay!
In this unique .io game, move your piece around the board to the pentagons to advance!
Rocketball.io is a game where you drive a car around a giant soccer field to score goals!
Fly around as your favorite dragon in this cute little battle arena .io game!
TankWars.io is a team tank battle .io game. Work as a team to destroy enemy tanks.
Infinitris.io is a fun .io game where you play a giant game of Tetris with the other players!
Jukegame.io is a .io brawler game with team mode or deathmatch. Has fast paced combat!
Spacewar.io - A fast paced arena space combat .io game featuring spaceships and fast shooting!
Orbit your way around space and take out the other ships in the fun .io game!
Zomzom.io is a moomoo.io style .io game where you craft weapons and build a base to fend off zombies!
Jumpar.io is a popular .io game where you jump on platforms to squish other players. Be the last one on top!
A fantasy style .io game where you work with your team to vanquish your foes.
Klad.io is a fun .io shooter style game where you play as a stickman trying to survive!
Speedboats.io is a fast paced MOBA style io game where you zip around in a speed boat!
Minesweeper.io - Several players play on the identical board charging to clear the most mines at the same time.
Creatur.io is a cute .io game where you run around and bite other's butts!
Bump your ball into others and knock them off the map in this fun .io game!
This fantasy style .io game pits you against other champions in dungeon battle!
Defly.io is a fun splix.io style game where you fly around in a copter trying to take control of the map!
Fute.io is a fast paced arena soccer .io game featuring soccer balls and a ton of scoring.
This fantasy style .io game allows you to play as your favorite knight, archer or mage to go on adventures and win!
Hookem.io is a fun .io game where you throw out your hooks to take out the other balls!
Evowars.io is a fun battle arena style that allows you to evolve into the ultimate warrior!
Hyper Fleet Beta is a fun .io game where you defend your mothership alongside other players to win!
Burbles.io is an easy, self paced arcade .io game featuring colored bubbles that you pop by aiming and shooting!
Battlegroup.io is a shooter style .io game where you try to sink other battleships in constant gameplay!
Geoarena.online is a fast paced .io game where you take down other spaceships with awesome weapons!
Astrix.io is a fast paced space shooter. Collect plasma and destroy your enemies!
In 5mintikill.io, be the last one standing as you all shoot it out!
Snowfight.io is a battle style .io game where snowballs fly and cold faces cry!
Bombsgame.io is a fun battle style .io game where you drop bombs to take out your competition!
Battlestick.net offers fun MOBA style stickman battles online!
Loomen.io is a fun .io game where you swim around to get more orbs to light your way!
Doblons.io is a fun .io game where sail around the high seas to destroy other players!
Superhex.io - Build out the biggest hexagon territory and take out your opponents!
Wormate.io is a fast paced .io game where you try to out snake the others as you grow to be the biggest snake!
Dotz.io is a battle arena style .io game where you fight with other dots to become the biggest and baddest!
Langor.io is a fun space shooter .io game where you fly around trying to take out your opponents!
In this agar.io style .io game, you try to get the largest pike by taking out your enemies!
CarArena.io is a fun and fast .io game where you take out other cars to win!
ZOMBS.io is a fun, fast paced strategy .io game where you build your base to survive against zombies!
Grow to be the biggest piranha in the pond and eat the rest in this fun .io game!
Booms.io is a fun battle arena style .io game that gives you a morning star to smash your enemies!
Your imagination is the limit in this fun .io game where you build whatever you want!
This diep.io style .io game throws you in the ring with other dots who try to kill you at every turn!
Ovar.io is a slither style .io game where you play as a sperm trying to fertilize an egg. HA!
This fun .io shooter type game pits your against players from around the world!
Let out the biggest farts to take out others in this hilariously lowbrow .io game!
Paceman.io is a battle arena style .io game where you play as a Pacman style character trying to eat the rest!
Lasersharks.io is an awesome .io game where you go up against other sharks with lasers on their heads!
Nitroclash is a fun .io game that offers soccer gameplay like never before!
Nightpoint.io drops you into the mean streets where you battle it out to survive!
This retro arcade style .io game pits you up against other players trying to blow you up...literally!
Pikes.io is a fast paced arena combat .io game featuring little knights with long pikes!
The Most Fun Top Rated .IO Online Games List
This list was created to help people find new, fun, and top rated .IO games. There are a lot of games out there that don't get the exposure they deserve! We've broken down all of the popular .IO games into categories to easily find your favorite .IO game or maybe try out a new one. If we're missing any .IO games please feel free to reach out to us through the contact form above and we'll add it to our list of .IO games as quick as we can. If you're a developer of a .IO game please use the developer link in our menu to get your game added to our site, if you provide a link back to us from your game we'll put you in our featured .IO games as well!
What are .IO games? Where did they come from?
.IO games is a term applied to web games that have a .IO extension on their website. Normally they are MMO style games that feature quick and easy game play experiences so people can jump right in and have fun. The most popular .IO games are Slither.IO and Agar.io. They basically started this .IO rush of games.
Why are .IO games so popular?
All of the popular .IO games follow a few rules that lead to their success.
- No lengthy sign up process or registration required. Simply load the game, type your name, and start playing.
- Simple and clean graphics.
- The game-play needs to be easy to pick up, but still provide challenge to the user to fully master it.
- They are quick to load, and don't require long downloads.
- Allow players to show off their skill/power in-game through visuals, to allow them to stand out from the crowd.
Top 10 .IO Games
While a few of the .IO games stand out from the crowd as far as user count goes, the top 10 .IO games is really up for debate. It depends on the play style you're going for, whether you want a MMO shooter or more of a zombie survival type game. The great thing is that there are tons of .IO games to choose from these days, so check out our list of the top .IO games and find one that you really enjoy!
.IO Games and Gaming: A Primer
If you have been a part of the gaming word in the last two years, you will have no doubt heard the craze surrounding .io games found across the internet. Numbered in the hundreds, some of the best .io games see millions of visitors coming to their sites daily. Games like Agar.io, arguably the most popular .io game in the world, net between $50,000 and $100,000 per month through ad revenue alone. With that amount of cash flow coming out of the most popular .io games, it has turned this gaming subgenre into a new gold rush!
With developers large and small coming out with new .io titles nearly every day, we at Gazpo Games wanted to take the time to give a comprehensive overview of this world-wide phenomenon for our readers. First, let us explain what makes .io games unique from other genres in the markets. Next, we want to go over the history of the .io extension and which .io games started it all. Finally, we will provide descriptions of the most popular .io game styles played online today, which, ironically, will coincide with some of the top rated .io games available for play. By the end, you will have a strong knowledge base on the subject to share with your friends. Let's dive in!
Why are IO Games so Popular?
Instant Gratification On Demand
All .io games have a few common features that have made them wildly popular with a generation of gamers that are constantly on the move in this ever increasing, fast paced world. Listed below are three specifics aspects of .io games that make them so wildly popular.
Browser Based
Being a browser based game is not unique to .io games. However, having it available wherever there is an internet connection and not requiring you to be tied to a desktop opens up the possibilities for gameplay. It is far easier to jump into a .io game for a few minutes between classes or while travelling than you would be able to with traditional games that requirement you to download them.
Fast game play
.IO games offer quick rounds with constant respawns. It doesn't have any real time commitment. Since the gameplay is basic and addictive, you can jump on when you are free to play and quit without worrying about if your game is saved.
Networked Multiplayer
This feature allows you to play with people all around the world in real time which plays into the other two popular aspects of it. Fast and accessible to a ton of competitors at a moments notice. It is the very best of gaming on demand, and it is typically for to boot. How can you go wrong with .io gaming?
What Does the .IO Stand for in Games?
.IO...What is That?
The .io extension has created this almost mystical quality to the .io games. Entire threads on Reddit and Quora go in exhaustive length about the theories and reasons for what it stands for and why it was used. We searched through the bottomless thread of trolls and came up with the most popular theories and meanings out there behind the .io extension.
.IO = Indian Ocean Territory
At its most fundamental meaning, .io is an international domain extension used in the Indian Ocean Territory, which is an area between Africa and Southwest Asia. Simply put, it is no different than .com, .org, or .net. Interestingly, though, the .io extension is known to be more expensive that most other domain extensions out there. Was this used intentionally for nefarious domain profiting endeavors? Probably not, but we thought it was a funny coincidence.
.IO = Input/Output
Another popular theory is that .io stands for Input/Output, a term widely used in the IT world. This term refers to the communication that occurs between system networks. What is interesting to note about this theory and rationale is that a major component of .io games is their MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) capabilities, linking up with people across the globe to play online. As such, it would make sense to use it in this context. However, was that the reason why the .io extension was use? The verdict is still out on that one and leads us to our third theory (and probably the most likely reason).
.IO = Hey, That Sounds Cool!
A third option for choosing the .io extension likely comes from a marketing angle, as it can take any noun and make it sound fun, like bookio or parachutio. See how fun that was? It is actually very clever for the early developers of the .io game genre since most gaming is supposed to be fun entertainment, why not have a light-hearted name to match the gameplay?
Whatever the motivation that came from picking .io as the extension to this popular gaming genre, most can agree that it has added a fun take on the games that fall in this category. Next, we will discuss which .io games started it all.
What was the Very First .IO Game Made?
Which Came First: Agar or Slither? Perhaps neither?
As is with much information online, it is hard to pinpoint which was the first game to use the .io extension. To be clear, this extension has been around since 1997. It is nothing new. In fact, many tech companies have used this extension for years because they thought it sounded "cool." However, the birth of the .io game came in 2015, but who was first, agar.io or slither.io? Some actually claim that is was neither! Some claim that the first games to use this extension were cursor.io and voar.io. Based on some specific pieces of information online, however, we concluded the winner is Agar.io!
AGAR.IO is the Winner! But Why?
According to information found on the agar.io wikipedia, Agar.io premiered on the popular site 4chan in April of 2015. It became a huge success, being the most searched game on Google in 2015 and even making an appearance on the Netflix show House of Cards. It even made a brief political appearance during the 2015 Turkish elections, where players took on the names of Turkish politicians and political parties, forming alliances and battling it out to see who would win. It remains at a top 10 .io game, despite the age of the game still makes a mint in ad revenue daily. So, what about slither.io? Does it get an honorable 2nd?
Slither.io is Second to One
Despite being made after Agar.io, Slither.io ballooned for its likeness the classic arcade game snake. Premiering in early 2016, the game received huge success thanks to being featured on some prominent YouTube channels. In July 2016, it was the 250th ranked site in the world on Alexa, a most prominent feat. It it still considered one of the best .io games out there and they developer earned as much as $100,000 per day (that's right) at the boom of this game! Now that we know who the first players in the .io game genre were, let us dive into some different .io games styles!
Common .IO Game Styles
Not All .IO Games are the Same
Believe it or not, not every .io game is made in the same fashion. There are some games where you go around and eat up other players to grow in size. Other games you team up to play soccer. With hundreds of titles, there is about that much variety in the graphics and gaming. However, there are a few game styles that have been named by those .io games that founded that style. Here are five of those styles with a description of the gameplay that comes with it.
Agar.io Style Games
The basic concept behind .io games in the agar.io genre is you start as a cell, or unit. You move around the map collecting orbs or killing other players to grow in size. To take out other players, you shoot a part of yourself at them, hence dividing like a cell. Most of the controls only require the mouse.
Slither.io Style Games
The basic concept behind .io games in the slither.io style is that you play as a snake like creature that grows in length as you collect orbs around you and by killing other players. To take out other players, you must put your body in front of their head to disrupt their path while avoiding doing the same to not get killed. Like Agar.io, the controls only use the mouse.
Diep.io Style Games
The basic concept behind .io games in the diep.io style is that you play as a unit, like agar.io, but instead of growing, you collect points to use for upgrades to your character. This style also typically has a shooter element where you take out other players by shooting them with yourself or gun or whatever. Most of the controls use only the mouse except for the numbers to pick your upgrades.
MooMoo.io Style Games
The basic concept behind .io games in the moomoo.io style is survival. This could be survival from other players, the elements, or monsters around you. This is done by collecting resources to create structures and protect yourself. Additionally, teamwork is a common part of this style of gaming. The controls used are a combination of the mouse and keyboard to move and interact with objects.
Splix.io Style Games
The basic concept behind .io games in the splix.io style is to use your player to build up your own territory and conquer the territory of those around you. This is accomplished by constantly venturing out from your zone and returning to box off a new amount of territory, all the while dodging your opponents from attacking you. All of your gameplay uses to mouse to get around the board.
As mentioned above these are five popular .io game styles found online today. However, each game produced "copy cats", bringing their own unique features, graphics, and interactions to gameplay.
There you have it, a comprehensive guide to the gaming genre known as .io games. We would like to thank you for reading through and hope that you have a newfound appreciation for this style of game. If you want to try out a few of the different .io game styles or some of the top rated .io games, check out our Gazpo games section.
Oh, and if you're not looking for .io games, feel free to check out articles about all sorts of topics at Gazpo Explore.


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BOB: Intro
Best of Burque 2009
Who doesn't love a friendly competition? Every year, our readers submit thousands of votes telling us what they think about the best and brightest our city has to offer. The results are in, determined entirely by our readers, not Alibi staff. Here's to you, Albuquerque, and to your finest.
BOB: Life in Burque
Best New Politician
The fresh-faced congressman representing our city and the rest of CD1 in Washington won this most important race, the one to your hearts. Awwww. So far he's made good on his promise to support green legislation and cosponsored a bill that would require the United States to get 25 percent of its energy from renewables by 2025.
BOB: Arts
Best Locally Produced Film or TV Show Shot in New Mexico Last Year
Written, directed, filmed and edited by Chris Roybal, Descansos is a fine choice. The drama about love, loss and roadside shrines is made up of eight vignettes shot all the way across northern New Mexico. In addition to showcasing picturesque locations like Albuquerque, Taos and Chimayo, the film also shines a spotlight on more than 20 local up-and-coming actors and actresses.
BOB: Eats and Drinks
Best Casual Restaurant Service
When you're in the mood for a casual, food-based affair—you know, just a bowl of soup, an iced mocha latte or a big muffin—you head straight to one of the many (and still growing) locations of Flying Star. Who needs table service and linen napkins when you've got gooey, creamy mac and cheese?
BOB: The High Life
Best Bar Staff
A diverse array of drinkers stops by for a cold one every night at the Anodyne. No matter what social clique you belong to or what your beverage of choice is, the staff at the Anodyne makes sure you get it fast. It only takes a few visits before the bartenders know what you want before you even ask for it.
BOB: Music
Best DJ
Steward of copious Downtown booty dancing, DJ Justin Case knows how to get this party started ... this party being one that's cloaked in small pieces of skintight fabric and boots with the fur.
BOB: Spending
Best Independent Bookstore
The movers and shakers behind New Mexico's largest independent bookstore recently shut the doors at Page One Two, folding most of that store's used stock into the original Page One. While it's sad to see Page One Two gone, it makes Page One even more vital. Where else can you find such a locally owned superstore filled with literary treasures both new and used?
BOB: Shoot Me
Best Busker
Fast Heart Mart doesn't just talk the sidewalk talk; it walks the sidewalk rock. Rain, shine or mounted horse cops on the street, FHM gives the finger to holding down a job and high-fives the common man with a snare drum and that unmistakable double-necked acoustic guitar.
BOB: Community Pick
Carmine Russo
What do you teach at CNM, and how long have you been doing it?
I teach Global Cuisine classes in the Professional Cooking II program and have been working at CNM since 1991. My CNM title is Instructor. My ACF title is Chef de Cuisine and Culinary Educator.
Jeremy Foote
What makes the Albuquerque Press Club unique?
How many other bars in Albuquerque are located in a 105-year-old haunted log cabin placed in the middle of a park with great views of Downtown?
What's one drink you just couldn't live without?
A Toronto.
Derek Caterwaul
You put out an e-mail events newsletter called Subterranean Albuquerque. What's your motivation for doing it?
I think it's generally known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. But it also seems like there's a real need for something that gathers information into one place for people. It provides a big picture of how vital the "un-dependent" music scene (not to mention other alternative media) is in this town.
Mike Locksley
Best Charity
I've always been involved in the Boys and Girls Club. It's played a major role in who I've become. I grew up in a single-parent home and my mom worked. My coaches there were like my fathers. That was the first place I learned to take my hat off when I came into a room, and which is the salad fork and which is the dinner fork, and things like that. They have all kinds of great programs that helped me learn how to fit in wherever I went.
Bryan Konefsky
What's an example of art you love in Burque, and why?
Ross Ward's Tinkertown Museum (on the east side of the Sandias) embodies a theme that is unique to Albuquerque. Ward's brilliant homage to himself expresses a wry and defiant sense of independence that does not answer to popular trends or fashions. Albuquerque's creative community possesses this same need for self-invention. In the 18 years that I have lived in this city, I have witnessed the ebb and flow of a dynamic cultural landscape that demands a high level of engagement and participation but is always a whole lotta fun!
Rebecca Jo Dakota
What role does AIBA play in the community?
We are the voice for locally owned businesses, supporting the sustainability of our local economy and the charm of our city.
How many stores are a part of AIBA?
AIBA has about 275 members now, most of which are businesses. We have nonprofit organizations and some individuals as members, as well. The membership committee plans to have 500 members by the end of the year. Sign up!
BOB: Best Anything We Forgot
It's a chance for you to kick us in the pants, complain about categories we did and didn't have, and give shout-outs to your homies. We got a vote for Hamlet 2 as the worst movie filmed in Albuquerque. Gene Grant's "The Line" on PBS got a vote as the best local TV show. Grant got another nod when someone voted for him and Jim Belshaw as the best ex-newspaper columnists. Another Burqueño said we should nickname our fair city "The Cheap and Sunny," probably after that killer Fast Heart Mart song. And how's this for heartwarming? Best reason to live in Albuquerque: the people.
Web Feature
Share Your BOB Picks!
OK, so the democratic process yielded the Best of Burque winners. So what? What about the hidden treasures and awesome insider info lurking inside your own BOB ballot? If you want to share your incredibly discerning picks with the world via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or whatever your favorite web gizmo might be, we've cooked up a quick-and-easy page here >>. It's a crazy social media world! We only live in it.


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Gingham Ceilings
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
I get an aching back and arms just from painting a ceiling in one solid color. I can't imagine how it'd feel to paint one in a gingham pattern. However, the results look worth it:
Really, though, it seems these examples are either wallpapered (as in the second image) or painted on canvas which is then applied to the ceiling (as we read was done in the first image).
While gingham is usually country and a little dowdy, put it on the ceiling in a vibrant shade and it's suddenly a fresh pop – perfect for spring! What do you think?
Images: Eric Piasecki/House Beautiful, Tria Giovan/Country Living, via Decor Arts Now
Published: May 4, 2011


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|2003-11-08, 21:24
|Link #2
<3 Scrapped Princess
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Age: 34
from what I can remember, I'm following
Shingetsutan Tsukihime - the last got me really interested, but im disappointed the series is only 12 eps
Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito - the story is still unfolding, the more episodes I see the more I get into it. the animation is spectacular, the best out of any anime I've seen
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien - It's pretty good, very dramatic but I don't think they've developed the characters enough before throwing the audience into the plot
Maburaho - of the 3 eps released, I only liked the first. I'm hoping the later eps will be funnier and more interesting
Fullmetal Alchemist - I'm a little behind, but I love this studio, the action scenes are just amazing
AYA Enishi - its exactly like the 1st series, I love it
|2003-11-08, 22:32
|Link #4
<3 Scrapped Princess
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Age: 34
Well, I wrote a little summary, but I guess that wasn't enough.
Shingetsutan Tsukihime - mystery/action, I wish the action scenes were animated better, but it's very well done. great music
Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito - excellent animation, plot seems good so far, hot girls
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien - pure dramatic romance, the plot/story execution is very well done
Maburaho - it's alright, very light hearted fanservice anime, the eps so far are more of character introduction, the plot is going to be developed in later eps
AYA enishi - if you've seen the 1st series, it's basically like that. no real ongoing plot, very relaxed comedy/romance
|2003-11-09, 01:15
|Link #6
*Kyuuketsuki Otaku*
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Somewhere in Hawaii
"AYA enishi - if you've seen the 1st series, it's basically like that. no real ongoing plot, very relaxed comedy/romance"
AYA Enishi is Licensed and is not listed on animesuki.com, but a few fansubbers are subbing it anyways. Im sure if you do a google you'll find it.
Yeah, i recomend those new animes, especially Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. I also recommend you checking out Gilgamesh, and Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari. Their have dark themes but their really good, they have really interesting plots.
|2003-11-09, 04:48
|Link #7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Definitely Kimi ga Nozomu Eien if you don't mind some romance and drama besides Naruto fightings.
If you like mecha fighting and don't mind big boobs, I think Godannar is pretty good. I really felt my adrenaline flowing when I was watching Godannar. Especially good after being depressed watching KgNE.
Yamibou and Tsukihime are also my must-sees. Worth try out an episode or two and see if you like it or not. Maburaho is fairly interesting but the main plot might not begin until ep. 8 or 9 so I don't know if I should recommend it or not.
AYA ~Enishi~ is probably for AYA fans only. So far the episodes were really fillerish and didn't have any real plot. I'm quite disappointed since I really like to see some progress between Kaoru and Aoi. Watch it only if you really liked the first series.
|2003-11-12, 01:29
|Link #9
Junior Member
A couple of people have recommended Gilgamesh.
But be warned, watch a couple of eps first. The story (what there is of one so far) might get your interest if you can overcome the animation style.
As for a new suggestion try Gunslinger Girls out.
Surprised no one has mentioned it. Only 3eps out so far, but it looks real interesting.
|Thread Tools


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How time flies: Emirates marks five years of A380 commercial service
It was on 1 August 2008 when Emirates operated its first scheduled Airbus A380 flight – linking this carrier's Dubai home base to New York.
Fast-forward five years, and this progressive airline has become the world's largest operator of Airbus' 21st century flagship jetliner – with a fleet of 38 aircraft today helping set industry standards for both revenue generation and passenger comfort.
Emirates has carried more than 18 million passengers with its A380s. Since the 2008 introduction, the double-deck jetliners have served 21 destinations, visited 37 airports and completed 20,000 round-trip flights. In total, Emirates A380s have flown 265 million kilometers.
"Airbus is very proud of the A380's success with Emirates, as well as the positive feedback we've received from the operator," said Antonio Da Costa, Head of A380 Marketing at Airbus. "Emirates places great confidence in the A380, operating it day-in and day-out around its extensive route network."
Emirates, which has 52 additional A380s on order, is taking advantage of the jetliner's unique attributes with features such as its groundbreaking mini-suites – each of which comes fully-equipped with a sliding door, personal mini-bar and adjustable ambient lighting, along with wardrobe, vanity table and mirror.


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The Giants begin the 2013 regular season at division rival Dallas on Sept. 8, and would it ever be ideal if star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had recovered from back surgery enough to help New York generate the pass rush pressure it will need against Tony Romo and Co.
In perhaps a show of confidence in Pierre-Paul's recovery, Giants G.M. Jerry Reese suggested Tuesday morning in an interview with WFAN-AM in New York that the fourth-year defensive end could be ready for Week One, via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
However, Pierre-Paul, in an interview with reporters on Tuesday, didn't say for certain that he would play in Week One.
Asked if it was "important" for him to play in Week One, Pierre-Paul said: "No, it's not important to me at all. I already know that the D-line that we have here is going to go out and get the job done."
He added, "They don't really need me out there right now. . . . I'm just going to focus on my recovery. Everything will be all right."
Pierre-Paul also noted that his recovery is going "perfectly fine." He also indicated that the call to return would be his, and that he did not want to rush his recovery.
With 33 days until the opener, making a definitive statement on whether Pierre-Paul will be on the field at Dallas is a tough call, perhaps one that can't be made, really. This is much is certain: the Giants could use Pierre-Paul in Week One, but they also need him healthy over the long term.


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A few of my current obsessions.
- Brunch at the Smith. Free sparking water + veggies + Pumpkin beer + actual lunch options = ❤
- Drinks at the Trump SoHo.
- Friends with backyards in NYC. Shh. Don't tell the Fire Department.
- Wine. (This one's on the way out, we're currently on a break. *Cue Ross shouting*)
I do have a couple things left in the questionable column, though.
- Green Kit Kats from Japan. It tasted good (like green tea!), but it made me feel weird.
- My new as of Tuesday brown hair. Photo coming soon. :X


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In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The Funeral Prayer
[3:145] No one dies except by GOD's leave, at a predetermined time. Whoever seeks the vanities of this world, we give him therefrom, and whoever seeks the rewards of the Hereafter, we bless him therein. We reward those who are appreciative.
Death is one of the major events in our life. Everyone of us have a life span that will end at a predetermined time. Only God decides and knows when and where everyone's life ends. No one dies a day before or after that pre-determined time.
[4:78] "Wherever you are, death will catch up with you, even if you live in formidable castles......"
Death is a great mystery to most people. Not so for the students of the Quran. We learn that death is exactly like sleeping; complete with dreams (6:60, 40:46). The period between death and resurrection passes like one night of sleep (2:259; 6:60; 10:45; 16:21; 18:11, 18:19, 18:25, 30:55).
Everyone dies, good bad, evil, saint, messenger or prophet.
[55:26-27] Everyone on earth perishes. Only the presence of your Lord lasts. Possessor of Majesty and Honor.
The submitters should accept the death as a fact of life realizing that no one will live any longer or shorter than what God decrees. The submitters believe that God's choice for them is the best choice. Consistently, the Quran talks about two deaths, the first death took place when we failed to make a stand with God's absolute authority (Appendix 7). That first death lasted until we were born into this world. The second death terminates our life in this world (2:28, 22:66, 40:11).
Death can be a test for those who are still alive.
[2:155] We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.
The believers react to any adversity affecting them according to Quran;
[ 2:156] When an affliction befalls them (the believers), they say, "We belong to GOD, and to Him we are returning."
Before doing the Funeral Prayer, one has to understand that there is a category of people who should not be granted this prayer, the disbelievers or idol-worshipers.
[9:113] Neither the prophet, nor those who believe shall ask forgiveness for the idol worshipers, even if they were their nearest of kin, once they realize that they are destined for Hell.
[11:37] "Build the ark under our watchful eyes, and with our inspiration, and do not implore Me on behalf of those who have transgressed; they are destined to drown."
[9:84] You shall not observe the funeral prayer for any of them when he dies, nor shall you stand at his grave. They have disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and died in a state of wickedness.
We also need to understand that God is encouraging the believers to implore Him. The Funeral Prayer is one of these circumstances where we can implore God. See for example these verses; God rewards people for what they say:
[5:84] "Why should we not believe in GOD, and in the truth that has come to us, and hope that our Lord may admit us with the righteous people?"
5:85] GOD has rewarded them for saying this; He will admit them into gardens with flowing streams. They abide therein forever. Such is the reward for the righteous.
[41:30] Those who proclaim: "Our Lord is GOD," then lead a righteous life, the angels descend upon them: "You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news that Paradise has been reserved for you.
[41:31] "We are your allies in this life, and in the Hereafter. You will have in it anything you wish for; you will have anything you want.
[39:73] Those who reverenced their Lord will be led to Paradise in throngs. When they get to it, and its gates are opened, its guards will say, "Peace be upon you; you have won. Therefore, you abide herein forever."
[16:32] The angels terminate their lives in a state of righteousness, saying, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works." God wants us to implore Him.
[40:60] "Implore Me, and I will respond to you. Surely, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Gehenna, forcibly."
[2:186] "When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided."
Quran teaches us that God tests people with adversity and hardship that they may implore (6:42, 7:94).
[6:42] We have sent (messengers) to communities before you, and we put them to the test through adversity and hardship, that they may implore.
Quran also points out:
[6:43] "If only they implored when the tests came to them! "
As for the Funeral Prayer, it is mentioned in Quran in 9:84. The verbs used by God in 9:84 are the same exact verbs He uses for the observance of our Contact Prayer (tusalli and taqum). Such verbs are used in conjunction with with the event of death (mata minhum) and with the grave site as a place (qabreh) indicating that there is a prayer that is supoosed to be observed at the grave site for those who die with the exclusion of disbelievers, hypocrites or idolworshipers:
[9:84] You shall not observe the funeral prayer (la tusalli) for any of them when he dies, nor shall you stand at his grave (la taqum ala Qabreh) . They have disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and died in a state of wickedness.
The Funeral Prayer is not a Salat (Contact prayers) but just a prayer, (a supplication, an invocation, "Dua'a") for the dead person. Since it is not a Salat, it does not have the order and steps of the Contact Prayer. There is no bowing or falling prostrate during the Funeral Prayer.
However, like Salah, the Funeral Prayer is an inherited practice that got corrupted over the years. The way it is practiced by traditional Muslims today is not dedicated to God alone. Muhammad's and Abraham's names are added to the Funeral Prayer which would nullify it, since our imploring is not dedicated to God alone, our Creator and Sustainer.
It is notwothy that the way 9:84 is structured leads to the conviction that the practice has been already in existence, but God is only prohibiting us from doing it for the disbelievers.
The following Funeral Prayer has removed all the corruptions and names other than God that were added over the years by tradition. The details of the movements are not significant as it is not a true Salat.
STEPS OF the FUNERAL PRAYER
- Stand by the dead person's casket if it is available or just declare for the group that you will be doing Funeral prayer for the dead person.
- You declare your intention of doing the Funeral prayer for the dead person and raise your hand and say Allahu Akbar.
- Read Sura one, Al Fateha (The Key)..
- Say Allahu Akbar without raising your hand.
- Declare the Shahada, Ash-hadu A- La Elaaha Ella Allah, Wahdaho La Sharik Lah. I bear witness there is no god besides God and He has no partners.
- Say Allahu Akbar without raising your hand.
Say your invocation to God, (supplication, Dua'a) for the dead person asking God for His mercy on the dead person and to grant him/her forgiveness and reward him and keep him/her with the righteous in the Hereafter and admit him/her to Heaven (Paradise). Here are some of the verses in the Quran that teach us how to implore God:
[17:23] Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably.
[17:24] And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, "My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy." "Forgive us and our parents, and the believers on the day when the reckoning takes place "
[59:10] Those who became believers after them say, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who preceded us to the faith, and keep our hearts from harboring any hatred towards those who believed. Our Lord, You are Compassionate, Most Merciful."
Without raising your hand say Allahu Akbar third time, and do more prayers.
[14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.
- End the Funeral prayer by saying Salamun Alikum or Alhamdu Lellah or any sign to let the group know you finished.
As noticed, there is no bowing or prostrating. It is NOT a Salat (Contact Prayer) but rather an imploring to God Almighty.


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In the United States, the National Football League's Super Bowl Championship game is the most watched sporting event of the year. Commonly referred to as Super Bowl Sunday, this informal holiday is an occasion for people to gather, eat a lot of food, and root for their favorite team. This year, the Baltimore Ravens will take on the San Francisco 49ers to fight for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 3, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Some of the NFL team mascots are inspired by the animal kingdom. In honor of this, we thought we would highlight some of the animals which display true athleticism, whilst their human counterparts flash down the football field this Superbowl Sunday.
Shot Caller
Perhaps the most influential position on the football field is that of the quarterback. This is a role of leadership, strategy and fitness – they call the offensive plays and must attempt to execute them. In the wild, the raven is known for its intelligence and athleticism. They are also playful birds, frequently performing mid-air acrobatics and passing objects to each other. These are all characteristics of a true quarterback! They have a variety of vocalizations, but instead of yelling "hut, hut – hike!" on the football field, they are more likely to caw "krack-krack-krack!". The Baltimore Ravens have secured their seat in the Super Bowl, and could not have done it without their quarterback, Joe Flacco, a human raven!
Catcher on the Fly
The Miami Dolphins are a popular football team based in Florida, with the bottlenose dolphin as an appropriate representative. Another offensive position is that of the wide receiver, an athlete that must be able to catch a ball in mid-air while running at top speeds. Dolphins definitely have this maneuver down, with a keen ability to swim at high speeds and leap out of the water to catch fish. They are also highly intelligent and social animals, living in groups of up to 100 individuals. Another important trait on the football field is strong communication, so I think Miami has found the perfect mascot!
Charging Challenger
In order to get the football down the field, you need a strong offensive tackle to block and take down the opponent in front of you. The St. Louis Rams have an excellent mascot for this position. Bighorn sheep males, known as rams, are anything but lamb-like with their massive horns weighing up to 14 kilograms, and ability to leap over rocks and verticals with ease – like a footballer jumping lineman! Rams often engage in dominance battles by pushing and shoving one another before rearing up on the hind legs and lunging forwards and down, bringing the horns together with tremendous force. This species ranges from south-west Canada, through western and central USA into northern Mexico.
Brawny Blocker
The Chicago Bears from Illinois sport a brown bear mascot, an excellent representation of the linebacker on the field. The undeniably large defensemen use their sheer mass to keep the opposing team from getting a first down. Similarly, brown bears have the stature of a linebacker, with the largest subspecies of brown bears, the Kodiak bear weighing up to a hefty 780 kilograms. They are also opportunistic feeders, and move in response to food aggregations. Few creatures will get by a bear of this size without its permission!
Swift Scorer
The peregrine falcon is the muse for the Atlanta Falcons from the state of Georgia, another high achieving team that made it to the playoffs this year. Renowned for record speed as the fastest animal on the planet and sheer grace in the sky, these birds of prey are capable of speeds up to 250 kilometres per hour diving for prey. Similar to a runningback on the football field who must show swiftness and finesse with the ball in order to score for their team, a peregrine falcon has the prey handling skills while at top speeds to be a successful sky predator.
Talented Tackler
The Jacksonville Jaguars have an ideal mascot for demonstrating the important role of defensive tackle. This position requires strength, mass, and agility to rundown and seize the opposing ball carrier. The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas, with its power displayed through its impressive muscling, deep chest, large head and strong jaw. Its common name comes from the native Indian name 'yaguara', meaning 'a beast that kills its prey with one bound. Once ranging farther across the United States, the jaguar is now only known to be photographed in Arizona, otherwise existing only in Central and South America.
Which team will you root for this Super Bowl? Let us know on ARKive's Facebook and Twitter pages!
Maggie Graham, ARKive Program Assistant, Wildscreen USA


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June birthdays, Challenges and links to the stories written or updated in May.
June Birthday Challenge
Is your birthday in June, and would you like a drabble about your favourite character or topic? You can request it here.
Not sure what the birthday cards are about? Have a look at stories written for previous requests.
Current and closing Challenges
There are no closing challenges this month.
Prospective Challenges
Challenges are born from Prospective Challenges, and the Prospective Challenges Forum is where you'll find out what other people would like to spring on unsuspecting authors... If you have any ideas you want to share, why not head over to the Challenges Forum; or be inspired by what is already there and pick up an older idea instead?
Nuzgûl of the Month
Just as Challenges come from Prospective Challenges, Prospective Challenges come from Nuzgûl, and Nuzgûl need attention to grow from tiny ideas into big stories. Step into the Nuzgûl hutch. The bunnies don't bite (much). And who knows what ideas you may come out with?
The Nuzgûl of the Month!
This summer's Nuzgûl (three of them!) can be found here.
Come on over to the Nuzgûl of the Month Workshop and join in the fun. If you've written a story for any of the previous months, don't forget to add it to the Playlist!
May Stories
All of us writers love feedback. It is the lembas and miruvor that sustains us as we write our story, and leaving a few words about a story you read is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.
Every fifteen minutes HASA highlights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. Read the currently featured story on our front page.
Many talented writers are publishing every day. In May:
--- 4 Reviewed Stories were published or updated.
--- 55 General Stories were published or updated.
--- 2 Beta Stories were updated.
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view beta stories.)
Thank you for reading at HASA. Enjoy!


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LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- The Beam Inc. BEAM unit that produces Maker's Mark bourbon issued an apology to its customers Sunday and said it would reverse a recent decision to lower the alcohol content in its namesake liquor in the face of a public backlash. The move followed Maker's Mark's announcement that it would cut the bourbon's alcoholic content to 42% or 84 proof, down from 45% or 90 proof, in order to deal with supply constraints amid rising demand for the drink. "Since we announced our decision last week ... we have heard many concerns and questions from our ambassadors and brand fans. We're humbled by your overwhelming response and passion for Maker's Mark," the unit's chief operating officer and chairman emeritus said in a joint statement announcing the move. "While we thought we were doing what's right, this is your brand. ... You spoke. We listened. And we're sincerely sorry we let you down," they said. Shares of Beam dipped below the $61 level briefly last week, but later recovered to close Friday trade at $61.50.
Have breaking news sent to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Bulletin emails. Sign up here.


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Lake Success, NY — Polar launched its Cardio GX system, designed to enhance the group exercise experience between instructors and participants. Cardio GX displays individual heart rate data onscreen, motivating members to exercise at the right intensity and get the most out of their workouts. The display also eliminates guesswork — participants can see accurate, real-time information about their performance levels, rather than using perspiration or breath control to judge exertion. In turn, instructors have more tools to personalize and direct the flow of their classes.
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World powers and Iran remained far apart after ending two days of intensive talks on Tehran's nuclear program on Saturday, the European Union's foreign policy chief said, prolonging a stand-off that risks spiralling into a new Middle East war.
The failure to reach a breakthrough deal aimed at easing growing international concern over Iran's contested nuclear activity marked a further setback for diplomatic efforts to resolve the decade-old dispute peacefully.
Underlining the lack of substantial progress during the meeting in the Kazakh city of Almaty, no new negotiations between the two sides appeared to have been scheduled.
"Over two days of talks, we had long and intensive discussions on the issues addressed in our confidence-building proposal," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
"It became clear that our positions remain far apart," Ashton, who represents the six powers - the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - in dealings with Iran, told a news conference.
Russia's negotiator sounded more upbeat, saying the talks were "definitely a step forward" although no compromise had been reached, Interfax news agency reported, without giving details.
Iran's critics accuse it of covertly seeking the means to produce nuclear bombs and say Tehran in the past has used diplomacy as a stalling tactic. Further inconclusive talks will not reassure Israel, which threatens air strikes, if necessary, to stop its arch-enemy from getting the bomb.
The Jewish state is widely believed to have the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal. Iran says its nuclear energy program is entirely peaceful but U.N. inspectors suspect it has worked illicitly on designing a nuclear weapon.
With all sides aware that a breakdown in diplomacy could shunt the protracted stalemate a step closer to war, no one in Almaty was talking about abandoning diplomatic efforts.
Ashton said that for the first time there had been a "real back and forth between us when were able to discuss details, to pose questions, and to get answers directly ... To that extent, that has been a very important element."
But, she added: "What matters in the end is substance. We know what we want to achieve and the challenge is to get real engagement so we can move forward with this and that's the ambition."
With a presidential election due in Iran in June, scope for a breakthrough was slim in Almaty, when Iran declined to accept or reject an offer of modest relief from economic sanctions in exchange for curbing its most sensitive nuclear activity.
Without substantial progress in coming months, Western governments are likely to increase economic sanctions on Iran.
The talks were held against a backdrop of flaring tension between big powers and North Korea, which like Iran is defying international demands to curb its nuclear program. But unlike North Korea, which has carried out three nuclear tests since 2006, Iran says its nuclear energy activity is entirely peaceful.
Additional reporting by Zahra Hosseinian in Zurich and Fredrik Dahl in Vienna; Editing by Mark Heinrich