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The growth in frequency and strength of climatic events poses a direct threat to our energy infrastructure, with large-scale power outages becoming more common place. This corresponds to a rise in repair and response costs for utilities to restore electric grids. This trend can be mitigated with the integration of newer, more intelligent technologies.
The Smart Grid is leading innovation efforts in developing and deploying these new technologies to enhance transmission and distribution grid operations and reliability, while also enabling new interactions with customers. Smart Grid can minimize interruptions during an extreme weather event by effectively managing unplanned outages as well as enhancing the restoration of energy infrastructure after a storm, lessening the impact on human life and critical infrastructure.
The electric industry introduced the term smart distribution to classify some of the growing challenges facing electric distribution utilities. It covers fundamental requirements to maintain grid reliability and enable more efficient restoration from severe storms and other natural disasters. Smart distribution supports the concept of self-healing and autonomous restoration—the ability to restore healthy sections of the network after a fault without manual intervention. Smart distribution also enhances security of supply and power quality—the ability of the distribution grid to maintain supply to customers under abnormal conditions and deliver a quality of power that meets customers' needs.
Lessons learned from recent restoration efforts have created opportunities for new Smart Grid technologies. Examples from Superstorm Sandy provide important insights into preparing for and recovering from storms. At the core of the entire process was communications; it began within the organization, and continued with field personnel and customers. The ability to keep stakeholders informed helped significantly in saving lives and restoring electric service. Customers with smart phones were able to receive updates from their utilities, and in some cases, were also able to help utilities locate trouble spots. Communication between the utility control room and the field personnel were critical in assessing the damage and understanding the options for reestablishing service. After Sandy, mutual assistance programs brought field personnel from all parts of the U.S. to help with the restoration. Keeping communication infrastructure working is critical to efficient storm recovery efforts.
As part of Smart Grid deployments, utilities have had an opportunity to take a fresh look at how they could benefit from new technologies and simultaneously solve some of the weaknesses in their current operational IT systems. One area that has seen significant growth is in systems designed for control room operations. Integrated distribution management systems (IDMS) include SCADA1, distribution management, and outage management modules on a single IT platform. IDMS provides real-time situational awareness of the electric grid and customer outages, and is accessible by field personnel during the restoration process. IDMS integration with smart meters via automated metering infrastructure (AMI) provides control room operators with real-time information of outages rather than waiting for customers to call in. The ability to connect with these meters from the control room enables operators to check for service restoration and power quality, and notify customers via phone, email, or social media.
IDMS also includes advanced grid optimization applications for locating faults and automatically restoring the distribution grid called Fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR). FLISR is capable of working in tandem with advanced distribution automation (ADA) equipment being deployed as part of the Smart Grid. For sections that do require manual intervention, IDMS provides additional information to help guide field personnel to the approximate location instead of having them locate the fault manually, reducing customer interruptions. Seamless FLISR integration with ADA enables efficient restoration of the grid. Getting it back to normal without IDMS would typically be a tedious and manual process. This significantly reduces field rework required from recovery efforts that involve foreign utility crews that may not be well versed with the local utilities' procedures.
Another key application is integrated volt/VAR2 control which provides conservation voltage regulation (CVR)—energy efficiently enabling the shifting or reduction of peak load while maintaining grid operations within regulated limits. CVR can be critical for utility restoration efforts when energy supply has been disrupted because of generator outages or loss of critical grid corridors.
Utilities generally conduct extensive training and drills for storm preparations to ensure that their employees, systems, and business processes are ready to react in case of an emergency. IDMS includes a state-of-the-art distribution operations training simulator (DOTS) that is used to prepare control room operators and engineers to manage restoration efforts after severe storms. DOTS is able to recreate scenarios from previous storm events including simulating customer calls and smart meter power-off messages, providing a real-life simulation environment. DOTS can also be used to prepare the distribution grid for a storm by studying switching plans to safely island or disconnect portions of the grid, preventing further degradation during a storm and enabling faster restoration after the storm.
New capabilities and functionality of existing devices can provide alternatives for automated system restoration and faster recovery from the impacts of natural disasters. As part of the range of equipment that can optimize Smart Grid deployment, the recloser is a switching device intended to interrupt load and fault currents. By shutting off multiple times in a pre-defined sequence, the recloser can promptly repair service after a temporary fault. Traditionally, their role is to provide overcurrent protection and they are typically installed in the distribution feeder. Recloser locations are optimized to protect portions of the distribution system where faults are more prevalent in order to improve service reliability. Their ability to interrupt the fault and re-energize closer to the fault location allows for continuity of service upstream. They can also be used to configure distribution network in loops when used as a normally-open tie device to increase operational flexibility.
Modern reclosers have increased fault current interrupting ratings, independent-pole operating capability, and shortened dead time during auto reclosing. Because of their higher current interruption capability, reclosers are being installed closer to or at the substation. Dead time is defined as the interval between current interruption in all poles in the opening operation and the first re-establishment of current in the subsequent closing operation. Reclosers are now capable of dead times in the range of 100 ms allowing for very brief service interruptions. Nevertheless, the reclosing time should be long enough to allow for the fault to clear. Reclosers can be three-phase or single-phase operated. Most faults in a distribution network are single-phase faults. The development of single-phase reclosers allows for opening and reclosing of only the faulted phase. Single-phase tripping and reclosing increases service continuity, allowing temporary operation with only two phases. Furthermore, single-pole operated reclosers can perform controlled closing operations. In a controlled closing, each phase in the network is energized at optimum time instants in order to reduce transient voltages and currents. This reduces stresses on network equipment and sensitive loads during service restoration.
In addition, modern reclosers include voltage and current sensors; they incorporate two-way communications and can be equipped with intelligent controllers. These features allow for additional functionality and capabilities. Voltage and current measurements enable the implementation of additional protection schemes including directionality (discrimination of the faulted side) and under/over voltage protection. Also, they enable fault monitoring (success in fault clearing, outcomes of reclosing operations, accumulation of fault history, fault records of current and voltage) and load monitoring. Two-way communication allows remote command transmission, status reporting (open or closed), and transmission of events and data. Communication allows integration of the recloser to the SCADA system. Lastly, intelligent controllers contain operational logic, estimate the remaining life and condition of the device, and can be programmed remotely for flexibility and changing conditions, as well as programmed to store, send, and receive data and commands.
A large storm or other meteorological event can cause multiple faults within a short time in the distribution system. Some of these faults are temporary and can be cleared by reclosers, others are repetitive, and some are permanent. The maximum number of allowable reclosing operations may be exceeded during repetitive or permanent faults. In this situation, multiple reclosers are locked open, leaving feeders and sections of the distribution system without power. During and after a storm, a group of intelligent reclosers can be programmed to operate in a pre-defined sequence to automatically restore service to sections of the distribution system that have not been permanently affected. Information captured by the individual controllers during the event can be transmitted and analyzed at a central location to assess the network condition allowing. This allows for optimization of resources and line crews needed to repair portions of the network affected by permanent faults and reduces the recovery time.
Extreme weather events and their associated impacts are causing electric utilities to question their current technological and operational systems. As essential components of a more intelligent power grid, integrated distribution management systems have already proven to support storm preparation and restoration, as well as reduce service interruptions. The initial cost to invest in Smart Grid systems and equipment is offset by the reduction in overall cost implications each time a storm occurs. These technologies can also dramatically lessen the impact on human life and critical infrastructure. Electric utilities that have invested in Smart Grid technologies are able to better prepare their personnel, manage their grids, increase customer satisfaction, and meet their regulatory objectives.
Next | Severe Weather and Distribution Grid Automation


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Together, At The Junction
PV 29.07.09 I 6-9pm
30.07.09 – 02.08.09
A R A R I Investigation Three I Leah Elsey & Sonia Uddin I Matt&Ross/Grizedale Arts I Paul Teigh & Martin Russell I What They Could Do, They Did
Together, At The Junction explores the relationship between collaborative art practice, community and public space. The Elephant Rooms invites jottaContemporary to facilitate artist engagement with a space in transition through live performances and site-specific works. The group exhibition will occupy The Elephant Rooms, a new roving art space in the Elephant and Castle Shopping centre founded and supported by Corsica Studios. The 1960's architectural structure will be the stage for a series of performances, live sound pieces and art works, in both the exhibition space and in the communal foyer space within the centre.
I think this has the potential to be totally brilliant as the grapevine puts a lot of interesting people all in one place at once and that place is Elephant and fucking Castle
Tom and Garry are performing their piece Chaplin Vs Keaton at the private view. We will be conducting some kind of ungodly 'workshop' in 'drawing' in the space over the duration of the exhibition at times tbc
come and play

subset: commoncrawl


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George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, serving from 1995 to 2000.
Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He is the eldest son of Barbara Bush and 41st President George H. W. Bush, making him the second American president to have been the son of a former president. He is also the brother of Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida.
After graduating from Yale University in 1968 and Harvard Business School in 1975, Bush worked in oil businesses. He married Laura Welch in 1977 and ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives shortly thereafter. He later co-owned the Texas Rangers baseball team before defeating Ann Richards in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election. In a close and controversial election, Bush was elected President in 2000 as the Republican candidate, defeating Vice President Al Gore in the Electoral College.


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Sony Alpha NEX-6 Battery Replacement
- Chemistry: Li-Ion
- Voltage: 7.2V / 7.4V
- Capacity (mAh): 950 mAh / 0.95 Ah
It is common practice for non-OEM manufacturers to print a higher capacity on the label of their batteries. This is why some websites advertise much higher capacities. We list the REAL cell capacity of our battery, not the label capacity.
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.80 x 18.50 x 45.00 mm
- Manufacturer: Better Batt
ReviewsLeave a review
Product Satisfaction
Really good.
SUPER fast postage, the battery and the charger are fine too. Didn't expect much after reading about third-party gear on forums but super pleasantly surprised here. I bought for the A7s.
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Product Satisfaction
I bought two batteries and a charger for the Sony Alpha A6000, the battery performance is just as good as the expensive Sony battery. I recommend BetterBatt to everyone I know, the products are good quality and backed by their guarantee. Customer service is always prompt and the team are always happy to help.
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Fantastic product and service
I have bought spare batteries and a charger for a Sony Alpha a6000 for an African trip and the product, price and delivery are fantastic, at about a quarter of the price of the Sony batteries and there is no difference in quality.
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Why wouldn't you buy it?
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Bound for Glory is hyped as TNA's biggest PPV of the year and this year was to be no exception. The card was filled with several all-star matches and delivered decently with the exception of a few bouts.
This year's Bound for Glory was centered around the epic encounter between TNA Champion Samoa Joe and Sting. The atmosphere was certainly there and the Sears Center in Chicago was rocking as both competitors made their way to the squared circle.
This match started off as a brawl, with Samoa Joe taking Sting to the floor with some ground and pound offense. The two brawled throughout the Sears Center, with Sting tossing Joe into the hockey boards, as well as a pile of chairs.
The match eventually made its way into the ring and the two went back and forth, shot for shot. Sting hit Joe with a couple of Stinger Splashes, but to no avail as "The Samoan Submission Machine" was able to fight back and regain the momentum.
Joe went to work on Sting with several leg kicks, taking him down to the ground. Kevin Nash made his way to ringside and watched the match. Joe got heated at the way things were going and began arguing with the referee about his counts.
Sting went to use the bat on Joe, but Nash pulled it away and Joe went right back to the offense. The two continued to fight and after a near collision with the referee, Nash turned his back on Joe and whacked him with the bat, allowing Sting to hit the Scorpion Deathdrop and pick up the victory. A sloppy finish to a decent PPV.
TNA Bound for Glory IV PPV Report
The show began with a package about Chicago's background and rundown of the card.
Mike Tenay and Don West then did their opening introductions and pitched it to the ring.
Match One - Steel Asylum Number One Contender's Match for a shot at the TNA X Division Championship - Alex Shelley vs. Jay Lethal vs. Curry Man vs. Chris Sabin vs. Sonjay Dutt w/ So Cal Val vs. Jimmy Rave w/ Christy Hemme vs. Johnny Devine vs. Petey Williams vs. Shark Boy vs. Super Eric
The Prince Justice Brotherhood teamed up during the battle, as did the Motor City Machine Guns. Lots of big moves in this match, including a wicked Devine Intervention by Johnny Devine on Jimmy Rave. Curry Man was about to escape, when he was thrown off the top of the cage by Sonjay Dutt. Jay Lethal was hot on Dutt's tail and caught him, leaving him hanging by his leg on the top of the structure as he escaped for the win.
Winner Via Escaping the Steel Asylum and NEW Number One Contender to the TNA X Division Championship at 12:00 min - Jay Lethal
Match Rating - 7/10
Mike Tenay and Don West ran down the rest of the card.
Back in Jim Cornette's office, Cornette told Jeremy Borash how big things are happening for TNA because of him. Mick Foley walked in and Cornette thanked him for coming to TNA. He told Foley he had to meet with some Spike TV executives and to watch the office for him. The Beautiful People came in and complained to Foley, because they demanded only blue M&M's in their locker room and they got a variety. Foley joked about the situation and they walked away in disgust. Pretty entertaining segment.
A package was shown for the Knockouts Bimbo Brawl.
Match Two - Knockouts Bimbo Brawl - Cute Kip and The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky) vs. Rhino, Rhaka Kahn and ODB - Guest Referee - Traci Brooks
Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers was shown at ringside. Velvet Sky wound up getting tossed around a bit by Rhino, as did Rhaka Kahn by the hands of Cute Kip. Some back and forth action led to the Knockouts brawling on the floor and Cute Kip getting taken down by the Gore.
Winners Via Pinfall at 6:00 min - Rhino, Rhaka Kahn and ODB
Match Rating - 5/10
Backstage, Lauren spoke to Consequences Creed, who said that he was going to take the TNA X Division Championship from Sheik Abdul Bashir.
Chicago native Sgt. Daniel Casara was welcomed to the ring and announced Consequences Creed. Sheik Abdul Bashir then grabbed the mic and ranted, leading to the TNA X Division Championship match.
Match Three - TNA X Division Championship Match - Consequences Creed vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir (C)
This was a good match that saw Consequences Creed take the heavy offense right to Sheik Abdul Bashir. Bashir was able to get Creed off his game with some dirty tactics, including an eye rake out of a TKO, which led to a roll up and Bashir hooking the ropes for the pin.
Winner Via Pinfall and STILL TNA X Division Champion at 9:00 min - Sheik Abdul Bashir
Match Rating - 6/10
Back in Cornette's office, Foley and Borash were still hanging out. Awesome Kong and Riesha Saeed walked in and Saeed talked about how Kong wouldn't be held responsible for her actions. Foley said that he would relay the message and also said that Saeed needed a visit from Yurple the clown.
A package was then shown for the TNA Knockouts Championship match.
Match Four - Triple Threat TNA Knockouts Championship Match - Awesome Kong w/ Riesha Saeed vs. Roxxi vs. Taylor Wilde (C)
This was a decent match, that saw Taylor Wilde and Roxxi double team Awesome Kong. Then the women went all out for themselves. Wilde had to break up some counts in order to save her title. The end came when Wilde hit a bridge suplex on Roxxi for the pinfall victory.
Winner Via Pinfall and STILL TNA Knockouts Champion at 6:00 min - Taylor Wilde
Foley and Borash were shown still hanging out in Cornette's office. AJ Styles came in and talked about how excited he was to see Mick Foley in TNA. Team 3D then walked in and called Styles a "big mark." They then argued with Styles and Foley who said he may have to shut their mouths. They walked out as Cornette walked in. Foley then told Cornette he had a big match to prepare for.
Match Five - TNA Tag Team Championship Monster's Ball Match - Abyss and Matt Morgan vs. Beer Money Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode) w/ Jackie Moore (C) vs. LAX (Homicide and Hernandez) vs. Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) - Guest Referee - Steve "Mongo" McMichael
This was a crazy match that saw tons of brawling. Forks were used. Johnny Devine came out and helped in Double Chokeslamming Abyss off the stage through a flaming table. Jackie Moore got involved, only to get spanked by "Mongo" McMichael. After some more back and forth action, Team 3D hit the 3D on Hernandez through a tack covered table. Beer Money snuck in the back door, with James Storm spitting beer in Brother Devon's face and Robert Roode sending Brother Ray to the floor, allowing them to get the pin and retain the TNA Tag Team Championships.
Winners Via Pinfall and STILL TNA Tag Team Champions at 21:00 min - Beer Money Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode)
Match Rating - 8/10
A package was shown for the AJ Styles/Booker T/Christian Cage match.
This was a pretty good match. All three combatants went back and forth and broke up each others' pinfall attempts. Booker T was able to connect with the Bookend on AJ Styles, but it wasn't enough to get the win. The match continued on, with Christian Cage hitting a second rope Unprettier on Styles, followed by Booker T hitting a second rope Axe Kick on Cage for the win.
Winner Via Pinfall at 13:00 min - Booker T
A package was shown for the Jeff Jarrett/Kurt Angle match.
Lauren spoke to Kurt Angle who complained about the match being a handicap match because of Foley's involvement. He went on to say that he was going to take out Jarrett.
Borash spoke to Jarrett, who said that his daughters have given him the strength to get back in the ring and he is doing this match for them.
Foley then made his way to the ring for the Jarrett/Angle match.
Match Seven - Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett - Guest Enforcer - Mick Foley
Winner Via Pinfall at 20:00 min - Jeff Jarrett
A package was shown for the Samoa Joe/Sting match.
A package on Sting was shown as he walked to the ring.
A package on Samoa Joe was shown as he walked to the ring.
Borash then did the main event ring introductions.
Match Eight - TNA Heavyweight Championship Match - Samoa Joe (C) vs. Sting
Winner Via Pinfall and NEW TNA Heavyweight Champion at 18:00 min - Sting
Overall PPV Rating - 7/10
Chris and Bryan Sokol are from Long Island, NY and are taking SLAM! Wrestling by storm with their tag team reports.


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The video above is from several weeks ago, when the Clippers played the Rockets in Houston, but it only now came to our attention because Chandler Parsons just tweeted it in our direction so we would see it:
Within minutes, Blake Griffin responded:
Parsons wasn't snitchin', though. He and Griffin are friends—Griffin even named his dog for Parsons—and because they're friends they clown around with one another quite a bit. And now, thanks to Parsons, we all know that clowning sometimes even includes a nonchalant, well-timed sack tap. Sup, bro?
H/T to Chandler Parsons.


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Commissioned by the fine chaps at Moore & Giles Leather, this "Great American Woody" is a traveling bar on wheels. It was built by the master craftsman Brad Ford, and proceeds from its journey of publicity go toward DIFFA.
DIFFA, or Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, is one of the nation's largest charities for those living with and fighting HIV and AIDS. The Great American Woody was created to assist with that mission. [View as one page]
"Designed to offer the ultimate in luxury tailgating and showcase the art of high-end entertaining outdoors, the Woody features a pull out bar along with a pony keg, a flat screen TV, media center, outdoor games, sleeping accommodations, and more all self-contained in a mahogany clad tear drop camper able to be pulled by an SUV." - Design Therapy
Leather touches throughout. Are you surprised?
Expensive junk in the wooden trunk.


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|Las Vegas
|High School:
|Green Valley
|Previous College:
|Lassen College
Started 37 of 45 games played...Took over outfield duties when several outfielders went down due to injury...Tied for team lead in stolen bases with seven and times being hit-by- pitch with nine...Fielded a perfect 1.000 in 60 chances...Third on the team with .416 on-base percentage...Batted .288 with 25 walks and 33 runs...Went 3-for-6 with two runs and two RBI against Cal Poly.
Tulane University
Redshirted at Tulane University.
Lassen Junior College
Played for Glen Yonnan at Lassen College...Batted .330 as a sophomore and added one home run.
High School
Attended Green Valley High School and played under coach Rodger Fairless in the Sunrise League...Had a career batting average of .375...Hit two homers his senior year...Had a four-hit game in which he had a triple, double and two singles...Earned all-league honors his junior and senior year...In all four years of high school, his team won the 4-A State Championship...Earned all-league honors in football as a wide receiver and defensive back.
Born August 16, 1978 in Las Vegas...Is a Business Economics major, and would like to become an entrepreneur...Roots for Quilvio Veras, Tony Gwynn and the San Diego Padres...Likes reading Old Man and the Sea and watching Bull Durham... Son of John and Sharon Carter.


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Importing Content from Previous Projects or Backup Files
With Website Builder, you can import content from a block into another block. The blocks don't have to belong on the same page. To import content you must make, or have made, a backup of your website. For information about backing up your website, see Backup my website.
To Import Content from a Previous Project or Backup File
- Log in to your Website Builder account.
- Click Design Your Pages.
- If necessary, from the Page menu, select the page you want to modify.
- Go to the content block where you want to import content, hover your mouse over the gear icon, and then click Import Backup.
- Select the content you want to import from the following fields:
- Select the Backup
- The version of your website that contains the content you want to import.
- Select the Page
- The page that contains the content you want to import.
- Select the Block
- The block that contains the content you want to insert.
Note: You can preview the imported content in the Content Preview window.
- Click OK.


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Seth MacFarlane has won a loyal following among young guys by mixing satire of family sitcoms with wild, rapid-fire non sequiturs — the latter made possible by the wonders of animation. Spun off from "Family Guy," "The Cleveland Show" is completely of a piece with his earlier efforts — employing a volume-over-quality strategy that assumes if you're not laughing now, rest easy, another gag will be along momentarily. It's an acquired taste, but in fundamental commercial terms, it ought to fit right in with Fox's animation block.
"Cleveland" does broaden the MacFarlane franchise in two ways: First, it's set in the South (Stoolbend, Va., to be precise), picking up redneck jokes where "King of the Hill" left off; and its hero Cleveland Brown is an African-American, though he's voiced by a white guy (Mike Henry, who co-created the show with McFarlane and Rich Appel), which might seem more outlandish if this cartoon weren't so, er, cartoonish.
In the premiere, Cleveland takes off with his son Cleveland Jr. for California. On the way, they take a detour into Virginia, where he promptly reconnects with an old high-school flame (Sanaa Lathan), who has two surly kids.
Voila, Cleveland has his own instant blended family, which includes stepson Rallo (also Henry), whose afro is bigger than the rest of him; and teenage Roberta (Reagan Gomez-Preston), who in the second episode Cleveland has to accompany to a father-daughter dance.
The rudimentary plots, however, are secondary to the madcap flourishes, which are hit and miss. OK, it's kind of funny in the second half-hour to hear Cleveland Jr. describe his first day at school as "terrible — worse than an ABC comedy," or a nasty potshot at Jennifer Aniston's love life. But then there's a ridiculous spoof of Halle Berry's Oscar acceptance speech with no discernible rhyme or reason to it. Oh yeah, and one neighbor is a talking bear with a Russian (I think) accent, presumably because the dog talks in "Family Guy" so, well, why not?
For those who buy into the MacFarlane formula — a running commentary on all things pop culture, complete with naughty jokes that play off double entendres like "Cleveland Jr." — this is all riotous fun. For the rest of us, it's a bit like Dane Cook's stand-up act — a reminder that what tickles current teens and twentysomethings is often markedly different from the satirical material that amused their parents.
Much like "Family Guy," "The Cleveland Show's" best attribute is actually its cheeky, catchy, wryly nostalgic opening theme. As for the three-episode preview that followed, watching those felt a little bit like running into a talking bear.


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Publication info
LOOKING BACK: Emmeline Pankhurst, United Kingdom
Emmeline Pankhurst, a leader of the British suffragette movement, believed the power of persuasion did not always reside in polite debate. Unlike other women who have taken the reins of power through diplomacy, Pankhurst brought a more militant attitude to bustled Victorian women — along with protests, vandalism, arson and hunger strikes. She was jailed more than a dozen times.
"Deeds, not words," she wrote, "was to be our permanent motto." Driving Pankhurst was the unwavering belief that societies would be better off if women had an equal hand in choosing leaders and serving in those roles themselves. Although her leadership style was controversial, there is no doubt that she was able to rally the forces and promote her cause with the same fervor of any man. As the Daily Mail reported, her funeral procession was "like a dead general in the midst of a mourning army."
Pankhurst married lawyer Richard Pankhurst, who had authored laws allowing women to keep their earnings and property acquired before and after marriage. Tragically, he died of a perforated ulcer in 1889, leaving Emmeline Pankhurst to rear her children alone.
By then, Pankhurst had started the Women's Franchise League, which fought to allow married women to vote in local elections. She followed, in October 1903, with the radical Women's Social and Political Union — bringing along her two daughters, Christabel and Sylvia. Together the three became known as a "versatile tactical machine." They took their furious and passionate protests to the street, capturing worldwide attention.
Her efforts were rewarded in 1918. The Representation of the People Act gave voting rights to women over 30. And a decade later, just weeks before her death, Pankhurst was able to witness a life's work come to fruition — women were granted full voting
We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.
- Emmeline Pankhurst
SOURCES: 1 Pankhurst, Emmeline, My Own Story, 1914. 2 Purvis, June. Emmeline Pankhurst: A Biography. London: Routledge, 2002. 3 Warner, Marina, "The Agitator: Emmeline Pankhurst," Back In Time, Time Magazine. 4 "Perceptions of Female Leaders in India," MIT's Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, 2010. Lori Beaman, Raghabendra Chattopadhyay, Esther Duflo, Rohini Pande, and Petia Topalova. "Powerful Women: Does Exposure Reduce Bias?" The Quarterly Journal of Economics (2009) 124(4): 1497-1540. Photo Credit: Edward Gooch/Getty Images.


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Iraq, Somalia drive the 2007 toll to 65
CPJ, founded in 1981, compiles and analyzes journalist deaths each year. The 2007 toll is second only to that of 1994, when 66 journalists were killed amid conflicts in Algeria, Bosnia, and Rwanda. CPJ is investigating another 23 journalist deaths in 2007 to determine whether they were work-related.
Consistent with previous years, about seven in 10 journalist deaths in 2007 were murders. Combat-related deaths and deaths in dangerous assignments accounted for the rest of the cases.
A list of journalists killed for their work in 2007, with reporting on each case, is available online. Also online are capsules for the cases that CPJ is still investigating, and capsules for media worker deaths.
Read a fuller report on 2007's journalist deaths


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10 of The Most Ridiculously Creative BedsFebruary 22nd, 2012
Considering we spend almost half of our lifetime in bed, it's a wonder that people don't get more creative with their sleeping arrangements. That said, in support of the bold few, we've decided to highlight a few cases where individuals have gone above and beyond the more mundane amenities to bring you the most ridiculously creative beds around.
- The Pumpkin Carriage Bed:
If you're making a list of ridiculously creative beds, this overly ornate Pumpkin Carriage (inspired by Cinderella) has to top the list. While this kind of bed surely has a limited shelf life before the young princess outgrows the fairytale phase, she's likely the bell of the ball while it lasts.
- The Playground Bed:
It's a bird! it's a plane! it's a playground! It's a … bed? While there probably isn't much sleeping going on in this household due to the kids playing instead of napping, at least you save on gas for not having to commute to the park.
- The Zipper Bed:
Sleeping bags are cozy and all but there isn't much room for adjusting your position throughout the night – you're pretty much resigned to one pose. However, combining the coziness of a sleeping bag but with the spacious sprawling ability of a full-sized bed, this zipper bed is the best of both worlds!
- The Round Mattress:
Speaking of adjusting positions, who says you need to sleep in one configuration? Cue the round bed. While rectangle beds pretty much force you to sleep length-wise, with the round mattress from Rocky Mountain Mattress you can sleep at infinite angles!
- The Trampoline Bed:
If you had an affinity for sleeping on the backyard trampoline as a child or if you fancy a night in a hammock in your later years, this one is for you. Because it's not always warm enough to campout in your backyard, this bed brings the trampoline/hammock experience indoors, to be enjoyed year-round.
- The Rocking Bed:
Rocking chairs are extremely relaxing and while it's easy to nod off, sleeping in the upright position is never a recipe for a full night's sleep. That said, we bring you this most creative rocking bed … the same perks of a rocking chair but with the horizontal sleeping comforts of a bed!
- The Modified Hammock Bed:
As our second tribute to the hammock on this list, we have this modified hammock bed. Again, combining the best of two worlds, this is a solid-state bed that still manages to provide the free-swinging sensation of a backyard hammock or porch swing.
- The Fancy Cabin Bunks:
Everyone has attempted to sleep in cabin bunks at one point (the key word being attempted). Whether it was at camp or Uncle Jim's mountain cabin, there's usually little comfort in rustic sleeping quarters – that is, until these plush two-story amenities came along.
- The Swan Bed:
This bed is both creative and beautiful, however, much like Cinderella's Pumpkin Carriage above, there is a short window of time for when this young lady will appreciate the grand gesture. Of course, after that, good luck moving what looks to be an extremely heavy one-piece fixture!
- The Nest Bed:
For every beautiful swan there is a nest where they lay their head at night – this one just so happens to be a cross between that resting place and the over-sized nest-like Olympic Stadium in Beijing, China. While this is certainly creative, the jury is still out on whether is tasteful or tacky.
We hope you've enjoyed this gallery of ridiculously creative beds – one thing is for sure, it either made you extremely jealous of what you don't have or beyond grateful for the nice, normal bed you call your own.
To receive additional information on custom mattresses please complete our custom mattress form http://www.rockymountainmattress.com/blog/custom-mattress-tool or email us at email@example.com
or call 1-866-733-3132.


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Tag Archives: Janet Maslin
Smarter than your average reality show star…
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posted by fascinatorium
The average American is inundated with between 3000 and 5000 advertising messages per day in various forms.
One Blog to Unite Them All - Vegan Bloggers Unite!
A Blog by Erica Violet Lee
I am a drummer whose mission is to elevate and celebrate the female voice.
The Musings of a Disgruntled Haradrim . . .
...and other fascinations
a feminist writes, rants, remembers


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The wide experience accumulated and the absorption of the newest technology in robotics, industrial electronics and CNC makes TAMAutomation capable of introducing and delivering to the market innovative concepts in robot, CNC and PLC cells that are technically very advanced in order to get the most optimal production and finishing in every surface and shape that has to be worked.
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Please, contact us for more information.
TAMAutomation uses this experience to offer tailor-made cells but using very highly reliable and efficient mechanical, electrical, electronical and software modules.
Our turnkey systems completely programmed and tested at home, will help you in getting the results you need by automating processes to polish and to grind parts, reducing costs and ensuring the quality and accuracy that your products require.
Thus, the functions and processes which are not differentiating and crucial for our customers, such as milling, turning, EDM, etc., are entrusted to our best partner specialised in each field.


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09 July 2008
Benito vs. the Cheese Board: Round 4
A brie-like cheese the size of a tall hockey puck. White rind, creamy inside with a few pockets of mold for flavor. It's a triple-cream cow's milk cheese, meaning it's sinfully rich. Flavorwise it's a lot like brie crossed with a bit of fragrant gorgonzola. Consume sparingly; it's like butter.
Cantal has been enjoyed in France since the Roman occupation of Gaul. (Pliny wrote about this fromage but I haven't had the chance to dig through all of the Natural Histories to find the specific quote.) It's a cow's milk cheese that, in this Southern summer heat, is fairly soft. Surprisingly tangy with an earthy quality that's almost goat-like. A nice change of pace, though there's a bit of greasy sludge that comes off the rind end of a slice like this.
Moving eastward through the Mediterranean, Χαλλούμι comes from the island Cyprus and is a Greek favorite made from a blend of milk from cows, goats, and sheep. Halloumi can be eaten plain but can also be fried or broiled for saganaki since it doesn't melt when heated. Some restaurants even splash it with brandy and flambé it for dramatic effect tableside.
It doesn't even require oil for cooking--I just threw bare slices in a pan and heated them until browned on both sides. This is one seriously delicious cheese--savory and salty with a flavor between feta and buffalo mozzarella. And it's got that squeaky quality you normally only get from fresh cheese curds. I served it as a curious appetizer and had to keep fixing more slices until the entire block was gone.
Panquehue is the first South American cheese I've featured here, coming from Chile. It's a soft cow's milk cheese made in the Andes and is often mixed with peppers or herbs. Very soft and mild, sort of like a baby Swiss with the consistency of Port Salut. It tastes good but it lacked the punch that I look for in an after dinner cheese. Which is why I decided to see how heat would affect it...
In a grilled cheese sandwich, made at 2 a.m. with full-hippie seven-grain bread and a few Tony Packo's pickles on the side: awesome.
This is the first German cheese I've written about. In fact, I don't think I've ever eaten a German cheese before. It's sort of like asking for a Swiss beer: they probably make it, but you'd be hard pressed to come up with a name off the top of your head. Hirtenkäse is made in the mountainous Allgäu region of Southwest Bavaria. It's a brick hard cow's milk cheese that tastes something like a mild Parmesan. It's not great, but serviceable. Slice it up with sausages and serve with beer, or grate it over noodles. Or use as bunker shielding during an Allied bombing raid.
5 comments:
I'm in the area. Can you get all these in or around Memphis?
- 08 July, 2008 20:29
- Benito said...
I got the Icelandic cheese in Ohio, the halloumi came from Fresh Market on White Station, and the rest came from the huge cheese selection at the Trinity/Germantown Parkway Kroger.
- 08 July, 2008 20:40
Limburger! Now there's a fine German cheese for you. Umm, some tasty stuff. There are a couple of craft producers in NY state who make a wonderful Limburger that ages very predictably. Some of the imports go too quickly to the post-funky stage.
- 09 July, 2008 07:38
i made ricotto at home this weekend... it was amazingly simple, and I used it on that night's pizza instead of mozzarella.
- 09 July, 2008 09:05
- Stanfill said...
have you ever had buratta? if you like mozzarella, then you will love this. it is made from buffalo's milk, but much better than buffalo mozzarella. i know, is that possible-but-yes. it is in a buffalo mozzarella like purse. when cut open this yummy milky cottage cheese like curd bursts out. it's so milky and has wonderful flavor. we get ours from the whole foods here in Ann Arbor. it only comes in from italy a handful of times a year. fyi-i hear the pre-packaged buratta is not very good though.
- 23 July, 2008 12:40


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Academic Advisor for Sociology
John McNeill
Senior Academic Advisor, Sociology
Social Sciences Room 404
(520) 626-6585
If you wish to declare Sociology as your major, you must schedule an appointment with John McNeill through the Trellis Advise System to discuss the requirements for the major or minor and general education requirements.
Determining Your Academic Catalog
Your degree requirements are based on the rules stated in the General Catalog that apply to you. Your applicable catalog is the one in force the first fall or spring semester that you enroll at The University of Arizona or at one of the community colleges in the State of Arizona. If you transferred here from ASU or NAU, the catalog to which you must adhere is the one in force when you enrolled at UA, not when you entered ASU or NAU. If you start during the summer, your catalog is the one in effect the fall after you enroll. You may elect to work under any subsequent University of Arizona catalog, provided you maintain continuous enrollment. Continuous enrollment is broken when you complete no courses for three consecutive regular semesters — e.g., fall, spring, fall — and the intervening summer terms. When this happens, your catalog is the one in force when you reenroll. Exceptions to this policy are the prerogative of the College. Students should contact their academic advisor for further information.
Degree Check for Sociology Majors
The semester prior to your expected graduation date, you must apply for Degree Certification with
Melanie Brady
Room 111
There is a fee of $35 to process all official Degree Audit applications. Approximately two weeks following your degree application, you will receive notification from Ms. Brady requesting you to pickup your Degree Audit (Senior Check) paperwork. Attached to the paperwork will be instructions on "how to have your Degree Audit completed". Please read it carefully.After receiving the degree audit, you must schedule an appointment with John McNeill to discuss with you your plans to complete your BA Degree requirements and will sign off on the Degree Audit Adjustment Form.


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More reports of falling earnings and slashed forecasts sent US stocks lower for another week, with uncertainty over the Nov. 6 US presidential election and what will follow, policy-wise, increasingly holding investors' sway.
Company after company cited slow growth in China, the eurozone crisis and uncertainty over US policy — particularly the "fiscal cliff" — as they reported slowing sales and tighter margins.
While the news was not all bad — a mix of companies like Comcast Corp, Facebook Inc, Yahoo Inc and Boeing Co all did well — the general picture was glum.
Even companies like Caterpillar Inc, which beat analysts' expectations on profits, fell short on revenues and warned of tougher conditions in the coming year.
"As we've moved through the year, we've seen continued economic weakening and uncertainty. It's definitely impacting our business with dealers intending to lower inventories and mining customers delaying some projects and reducing orders," Caterpillar chief executive Doug Oberhelman said.
That set the mood for trade for the week. Ending at 13,107.21 on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was off 1.77 percent for the period.
The S&P 500 gave up 1.48 percent to 1,411.94 and the NASDAQ Composite slipped 0.59 percent to 2,987.95.
Major companies that missed performance expectations in their quarterly reports included giants like Apple Inc (minus-1 percent for the week), Amazon.com Inc (minus-0.7 percent), Dow Chemical Co (minus-1 percent), DuPont Co (minus-8.4 percent), and Procter & Gamble Co (plus-1.3 percent).
Apple profits continued to soar and the company offset its target miss with the launch of the iPad Mini and updated its other products, but its slower growth and lowered guidance was taken as a sign of tightness in consumer pockets.
Apple "will not be immune to the undercurrent of economic sluggishness, especially in the consumer space, where higher gasoline prices are leaving consumers with little money for their next favorite gadget," Global Equities Research's Trip Chowdhry said.
The picture was not helped by Friday's report that US economic growth had picked up pace to 2 percent at an annual rate in the third quarter, after the turgid 1.3 percent second quarter.
That confirmed the view of the US Federal Reserve's policy board that the economy still faces hurdles.
IHS Global Insight US economists Nigel Gault and Paul Edelstein said the low gear economy would remain a drag on profits.
"The details confirm our view that the economy will further experience modest but sub-par growth," they said in an analysis on Friday.
"From a corporate earnings perspective, this is unwelcome news. Profits had been growing at a double-digit pace as companies benefited from strong overseas demand and productivity enhancements that compensated for domestic weakness," Gault and Edelstein said, adding "But the latest earnings reports indicate that those opportunities are harder to exploit, leading many companies to downgrade their profit outlook."
The coming week will be dominated by elections talk, ahead of the vote on Tuesday, with US President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney neck-and-neck.
Also looming is a mega storm expected to hit the US East Coast on Tuesday which has the potential of causing widespread damage.
That aside, the earnings season that peaks out next week is likely to confirm that picture, with reports coming in from Pfizer, the three big US auto companies, ExxonMobil Corp, AIG Inc, Chevron Corp, News Corp, Walt Disney Co, Cisco, Dell Inc and Hewlett-Packard Inc.


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Seafoam Green Lake Erie Beach Glass Necklace
This necklace features a seafoam green piece of Edgewater Beach (Lake Erie) beach glass hanging from a single jump ring. The pendant hangs from an 18" 1/10 silver-filled curb chain.
It ships on a necklace card in an organza drawstring bag, perfect for gift giving!
It ships on a necklace card in an organza drawstring bag, perfect for gift giving!
Shipping Costs
|Ship To
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|Orders shipping within the State of Ohio require a 7% sales tax added to the total purchase price, but at least you'll get your order wicked fast!
I usually ship the next business day after an order is placed. If for some reason you need to cancel your order after it is placed, please notify me within an hour of placing the order, otherwise I'll be busy trying to get it packed up and ready to go.
Inquiries about an item before purchase do not guarantee reservation of that item, and the item may sell at any point to someone else. For customizations, please submit a custom item request and I will do my very best to create something unique for you!
|Policies Shipping
|UPDATED: International Shipping!!
The base shipping method for all items in my shop is USPS First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation (2-5 day delivery), and USPS Priority Mail is available as an upgrade (1-3 day delivery, includes up to $50 of insurance and a tracking number). Packages are shipped out 1-2 business days from receipt of payment, usually next business day.
I now offer International Shipping! International orders will ship USPS First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation (in select countries). If you need an item shipped USPS Priority International, please contact me first so I can set it up (but be prepared to spend an arm and a leg, it's over $40 for the smallest items in the shop. Buyer is responsible for any customs duties, taxes and processing fees.
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If an item is damaged during shipping, please contact me immediately with photographic proof of the damage and I will do my best to repair/replace the item (subject to availability of materials), otherwise a refund may be requested (only if damage is reported within 24 hours of delivery). If the item is not damaged upon receipt, or damage goes unreported after 24 hours of the USPS delivery date, the item will be considered satisfactory and no refunds will be given.
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Puzzle Levels
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Sudoku Bunt
Product Information
|Arrange circles so each row and column has one of every color.
|Level 7 - Challenging
|Jean Claude Constantin
|European Wood Puzzles, Jean Claude Constantin
|13.5 cm x 13.5 cm x 1.3 cm / 5.3 in x 5.3 in x 0.5 in
Product Description
A 5x5 sudoku-type puzzle in five different woods. The objective is to arrange the pieces such that each row and column has one of each type of wood. Some of the disks are joined together, making the solution more difficult.
Made in laser-cut wood by Jean-Claude Constantin. Jean-Claude Constantin lives in Germany, where he designs and manufactures many different laser-cut wood puzzles, as well as metal puzzles and magic tricks.
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OCEguy necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 111 diseños de 21 diseñadores freelance.
We are looking for a new logo for our company that we can use on our website and in print for business cards and such. We have a predominately male audience in the 15- 25 range. Our company runs arcades (20+games) mainly for colleges but we also have smaller locations 2-5 games. And we want to get more into selling parts (joysticks/buttons) directly to gamers.
On Campus Entertainment
We need a new logo for our company. We have just been using a font we found in Word. We are looking for something more interesting and attractive to the eye. We will be using this for our website and for print items like business cards.
We are redoing out website but here's a link to what's up:
Our company mainly does 2 things.
1. We run arcades within other businesses. This includes video games, sit down driving games, air hockey, crane machines, photo booths and any other entertainment that is self contained and runs on coins/bills. Our biggest customers are colleges where we have setups of 20+ games. We also have smaller locations with 2-5 games.
2. We sell parts to players. Joysticks, buttons, games... This is a smaller portion of our business but this is the side we want to grow and the main reason we decided that we need a better logo to represent ourselves. The typical buyer for parts likes to play head to head fighting games, like Street Fighter.
We want the logo to be recognizable and appealing to the players(males 15-25) and to the people who decide that they want games at their business (adult business owners / managers / promoters)
Some of the sites our most active parts buyers/ players visit are
http://www.shoryuken.com http://www.tekkenzaibatsu.com
Some of our big games right now are:
Street Fighter 4 http://www.streetfighter.com/flash/…screens/en
Tekken 6 http://tekken.namco.com/
We have used the tag line "Serving all your arcade gaming needs". You can incorporate this or another line into the logo if you want. We are okay with no tagline also.
We are really open to your ideas. As long as it is recognizable and appealing.
We will be checking often to provide feedback on the designs. We want a layered PSD file and a CYMK file in the end.
Please help us become a recognizable brand!
- The company name should be clear and easily readable
- We want a color scheme that will appeal to gamers (black and white is okay)
- Something appealing to males 15-25
- something that looks good online and on a business card
- nothing hard to read
- not a lot of different colors
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Time to remission, cumulative probabilities.
Relapse after stable remission, survival curves.
Time from discharge to substance use, survival curve.
Customize your JAMA Network experience by selecting one or more topics from the list below.
Hasin D, Liu X, Nunes E, McCloud S, Samet S, Endicott J. Effects of Major Depression on Remission and Relapse of Substance Dependence. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59(4):375–380. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.59.4.375
© 2020
The effects of major depressive disorder (MDD) on the course of substance dependence may differ depending on the temporal relationship of depression to dependence. We investigated the effects of MDD on the outcome of substance dependence under 3 circumstances: (1) lifetime onset of MDD prior to lifetime onset of dependence onset, (2) current MDD occurring during a period of abstinence, and (3) current MDD during substance use that exceeded the expected effects of intoxication or withdrawal.
A sample of 250 inpatients with DSM-IV cocaine, heroin, and/or alcohol dependence were followed up at 6, 12, and 18 months. The Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders (PRISM) was used to make DSM-IV diagnoses. Using Cox proportional hazards models, stable remissions (those lasting at least 26 weeks) from DSM-IV cocaine, heroin, and/or alcohol dependence and from use were studied, as well as subsequent relapses of dependence and use.
Patients with current substance-induced MDD were less likely to remit from dependence (adjusted hazards ratio, 0.11) than patients with no baseline MDD. A history of MDD prior to lifetime onset of substance dependence also reduced the likelihood of remission relative to the absence of such a history(adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49). Major depressive disorder during sustained abstinence predicted dependence relapse (adjusted hazards ratio, 3.07) and substance use after hospital discharge compared with those without abstinence MDD (adjusted hazards ratio, 1.45).
The timing of depressive episodes relative to substance dependence served as an important factor in the remission and relapse of substance dependence and substance use.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE disorder (MDD) is common among substance abusers1-5 and associated with considerable psychosocial disability,6-8 suggesting that MDD may impede long-term remission from drug and alcohol dependence. Diagnostic problems have complicated research in this area, with efforts to resolve them largely relying on the temporal sequencing of depressive symptoms relative to substance abuse. In DSM-IV,9 major depression is "primary" if "not due to the physiological effects of a substance," a causal relationship inferred largely from timing. Primary MDD is diagnosed when symptoms precede substance use or persist during extended periods of abstinence. A DSM-IV substance-induced disorder is diagnosed when clinically significant symptoms co-occur with substance use but clearly exceed the expected effects of intoxication or withdrawal. Little prospective research is available on whether these aspects of timing affect the course of substance dependence or whether primary episodes starting prior to the lifetime onset of substance use have different effects from primary episodes occurring during periods of abstinence.
Many studies on MDD among alcoholics or drug addicts investigated lifetime depression, regardless of its timing. Rounsaville et al10 found that lifetime MDD predicted poor alcoholism outcome among males, while others11,12 did not. Given the lack of specificity about timing in these studies, inconsistencies are not surprising. Prospective studies offer clearer information. Among opiate addicts, baseline current MDD predicted subsequent heroin13 and cocaine use.14 Among alcoholic subjects, baseline MDD predicted drinking relapse.15
The lifetime order of onset of 2 disorders is fixed when the second disorder begins. Thus, a lifetime diagnosis of primary MDD with onset prior to substance dependence does not necessarily indicate current depression. However, the remitting and recurring nature of major depression is important to address in longitudinal research. Time-varying MDD predicted failure to remit from alcoholism and relapse.16-18 This study did not differentiate primary and substance-induced MDD or separate prior-onset from abstinence primary depressions. Furthermore, the study did not include polysubstance abusers, whose switching of substances14 during follow-up can produce an inaccurate impression of remission if only1 substance is studied.
To address these issues, we studied the effects of MDD on substance dependence prospectively. Primary MDD beginning prior to the lifetime onset of substance dependence was not predicted to affect the outcome of current substance dependence because primary MDD usually occurs long in the past and also because of potential memory problems. Proximal abstinence and substance-induced MDD were predicted to impede remission from substance dependence. Abstinence MDD was predicted to increase the chance of relapse into substance dependence when studied in time-varying fashion, since drinking to cope with negative emotions predicts onset of alcohol dependence.19
Subjects were inpatients in a dual-diagnosis facility who were not severely psychotic or medically ill. Of 379 patients invited to participate, 349 (92%) participated in a baseline evaluation. Of these, 279 patients were of interest to the present analysis because they had a current diagnosis at baseline of DSM-IV alcohol, cocaine, and/or heroin dependence and never experienced mania or nonaffective psychosis. Of these patients, 250 (90%) participated in at least 1 follow-up interview. These are the patients described herein. Subjects were not required to meet criteria for MDD because we wanted to compare patients with and without this disorder.
The mean ± SD age of subjects was 36.9 ± 9.2 years, 66% were male, 57% were white, 15% did not complete high school, and 31% were married. At baseline, 75% met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence, 58% for cocaine dependence, and 20% for heroin dependence.
Following institutional review board requirements, clinical staff identified eligible, sequentially admitted patients (who had completed acute withdrawal, if applicable) and obtained their agreement to meet with research staff, at which time the study was explained. Consenting subjects participated in a baseline Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders(PRISM).20,21 In the PRISM, the drug and alcohol sections are completed before assessment of psychiatric disorders. A PRISM test-retest study using the version for DSM-IV substance use disorders and DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders showed higher reliability than other diagnostic interviews in this type of sample.20 Lifetime onset of any disorder was defined as the age when the full disorder was first present. Age at lifetime onset of MDD was used to create a prior-onset MDD diagnosis, representing major depression with onset before the lifetime onset of alcohol, cocaine, or heroin dependence. As a lifetime diagnosis, prior-onset MDD was diagnosed regardless of current status.
In the PRISM, abstinence MDD either occurred entirely during abstinence, began at least 2 weeks prior to a period of heavy drinking and/or drug use, or began during drinking and/or heavy drug use and continued more than 4 weeks after the substance use ended. Some baseline episodes were diagnosed as abstinence MDD in subjects currently dependent on alcohol or drugs because the depressive episodes began before the current substance dependence episodes or continued into the follow-up at least 4 weeks after cessation of substance use.
Substance-induced disorders in DSM-IV occur during periods of heavy substance use with symptoms in excess of (greater than the expected effects of) intoxication or withdrawal syndromes. PRISM episodes of substance-induced MDD included those occurring entirely during periods of substance use as well as episodes ending within a month of abstinence. To systematize this diagnosis, we required the same duration and number of symptoms as required for DSM-IV primary MDD. To systematize rating symptoms in excess of expected intoxication or withdrawal effects, we used the subject's own substance-using but nondepressed experience as a reference period (most often, a period of substance use immediately preceding onset of depressed mood). Symptoms during this reference period represented the subject's expected intoxication or withdrawal effects. Symptoms that began or became clearly worse only after the onset of depressed mood were counted toward a diagnosis of substance-induced MDD. Only depressive symptoms cross-listed as DSM-IV intoxication or withdrawal symptoms for substances used by the patient were rated this way.
Subjects could report past episodes of both abstinence and substance-induced MDD. However, we studied MDD current at baseline to provide close, prospective examination of its relationship to the course of substance dependence.
Follow-up interviews were conducted 6, 12, and 18 months after baseline. Subjects were paid US $35. Subjects not interviewed when due were interviewed later whenever possible. Median length of follow-up was 91 weeks. Bias from loss to follow-up was unlikely because of the high follow-up rate and lack of differences between subjects followed up and not followed up for age (t274 = 0.29, P = .77); sex (χ21 = .004, P = .95); race (χ21 = .71, P = .40); education (χ22 = 3.52, P = .17); baseline diagnoses of DSM-IV cocaine (χ21 = .55, P = .46), heroin (χ21 = .27, P = .60), and alcohol dependence (χ21 = .038, P = .85); antisocial personality disorder (χ21 = 1.09, P= .30); prior-onset MDD (χ21 = .01, P = .94); baseline abstinence-induced MDD (χ21 = 1.14, P = .29); or baseline substance-induced MDD (χ21 = .65, P = .42).
At follow-up, subjects participated in a PRISM-L (longitudinal),21 a version of the PRISM covering the period since the previous interview. The PRISM-L includes elements of the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation22 and also substance abuse timeline follow-back methods.23,24 PRISM-L timeline grids allow rating the course of separate conditions (including substance use, dependence, and depression) by week after study entry. Interviewers obtain a history since the previous interview and then assess the timing of alcohol and drug use, dependence and abuse symptoms, and psychiatric syndromes, referring to the timing of life events as needed. When the relative timing of substance and psychiatric disorders was unclear, semistructured probes aided systematic exploration.
Interviewers had clinical experience and received extensive, systematic training. Two supervisors with several years of research experience conducted training and supervision. They reviewed each case, conferred occasionally with members of Columbia's Department of Psychiatry and conducted weekly interviewer calibration meetings. Supervisors occasionally blindly reviewed each other's cases to ensure review consistency. After data entry and cleaning, computer programs produced diagnoses as well as the follow-up onset and offset variables.
Remission of substance dependence was defined as 26 or more weeks during follow-up with no symptoms of dependence on heroin, cocaine, or alcohol, a definition that guarded against substance substitution and provided periods with stability.16 The start date of a remission was the first of the 26 or more required weeks. Relapse was defined as 1 or more weeks when patients experienced symptoms of DSM-IV dependence or abuse for alcohol, cocaine, or heroin dependence after the 26th week of remission from dependence.
We also investigated 3 outcomes defined by use. The first was remission for 26 or more weeks in any use of alcohol, cocaine, or heroin. The second included relapse from such remission, meaning any use of alcohol, cocaine, or heroin any time after 26 weeks or more of remission. The third was time from discharge to first use of alcohol, cocaine, or heroin.
Survival analysis was used to investigate these outcomes: weeks from hospital discharge to remission of dependence and remission of use as defined already, weeks from establishment of stable remission (ie, the 26th week of remission) to subsequent relapse into dependence and relapse into use, and weeks from inpatient discharge to first use of alcohol, cocaine, or heroin after discharge. The cumulative probabilities of remission and survival curves of relapse were obtained with Kaplan-Meier estimates. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the effect of time-invariant and time-varying predictors. Cases were censored if they did not experience an event by the end of the follow-up, including those lost to death or follow-up. Time-invariant predictors used in the Cox models included age, sex, race, education, baseline DSM-IV diagnoses of alcohol, cocaine, and heroin dependence, antisocial personality disorder with symptoms in the year prior to the interview, and prior-onset MDD. Note that prior-onset MDD was tested independently of current MDD status. Thus, it characterized an unchanging aspect of lifetime history, regardless of current status. The models compared the effects of prior-onset MDD to the absence of such a history.
Time-varying predictors indicated the effects of change in MDD on subsequent outcome of dependence. The 2 time-varying predictors were the status of substance-induced MDD (present or absent) and the status of abstinence MDD (present or absent). These 2 types of depression were mutually exclusive at any point in time and were examined separately to determine their unique effects on remission. The basis of comparison for each type of depression was the absence of depression. Only abstinence MDD was tested in relation to relapse, since substance-induced MDD could not start during remission. Tests were 2-tailed with α = .05. Because time in a restrained environment is not remission, the follow-up period for the 138 patients hospitalized longer than a week after their baseline interview began the week of discharge.
Of the 250 patients, 37 (15%) received a lifetime diagnosis of prior-onset MDD. At baseline, 18 (49%) of 37 patients with prior-onset MDD had current abstinence MDD, while 12 (32%) of 37 had current substance-induced MDD. Thus, most patients with prior-onset MDD had a current diagnosis of MDD. The average age at onset of prior-onset MDD was 16.7 years. Since the average age of the37 patients with prior-onset MDD was 36.0 years, MDD first occurred on average19.3 years previously.
Of the 213 patients with no lifetime diagnosis of prior-onset MDD, 60(28%) had baseline diagnoses of abstinence MDD and 50 (24%) had current substance-induced MDD. Subjects with prior-onset MDD were more likely to have any current diagnosis of MDD at baseline than those without prior-onset MDD (χ21 = 4.41, P = .04) and also were more likely to have baseline abstinence MDD (χ21 = 6.16, P = .01). Those with and without prior-onset MDD did not differ on substance-induced MDD (χ21 = 1.36, P = .24). The Cox proportional hazards models (below) allowed us to study the effects of current depression controlling for prior-onset MDD.
Among the 250 patients, 133 (53%) had a remission of all dependence symptoms lasting at least 26 weeks. Figure1 shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative probabilities of remission from dependence. The cumulative probability curve reached its plateau of 57.1% at week 100. Prior-onset MDD decreased the likelihood of stable remission from substance dependence compared with patients without such a history (Table 1). Time-varying substance-induced MDD decreased the likelihood of stable remission from substance dependence compared with subjects with no current MDD. Abstinence MDD was not related to remission of dependence.
Among the 250 patients, 117 (47%) remitted from alcohol, cocaine, and/or heroin use for at least 26 consecutive weeks. Figure 1 shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative probabilities of remission from use. The MDD diagnoses were not associated with time to remission in substance use (Table 1).
Among the 133 patients who remitted from dependence, 45 relapsed during the follow-up, leaving only 88 (35%) of the 250 patients with dependence remission from all 3 substances throughout the follow-up. Figure 2 shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival probabilities of relapse into dependence. As shown in Table 1, abstinence MDD increased the risk of relapse into dependence by a factor of about 3, thus constituting an important risk factor for dependence relapse.
Among the 250 patients, 205 (82%) reported substance use after discharge. Of the 117 with remission of use lasting 26 weeks or more, 52 relapsed into use of alcohol, cocaine, and/or heroin, leaving only 65 (26%) of the 250 patients with stable remission from use lasting 26 weeks or more. Figure 2 shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative probabilities of relapse into use. As shown in Table 1, neither prior-onset MDD nor abstinence MDD was associated with relapse into use. However, abstinence MDD was related to risk of use after hospital discharge. Figure 3 shows the Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival probabilities of substance use after hospital discharge.
Under all 3 temporal circumstances studied, major depression was related to the course of substance dependence, including lifetime onset prior to substance dependence, during periods of abstinence and periods of substance use when symptoms clearly exceeded the effects of intoxication and/or withdrawal. However, the effects of MDD were not uniform across the outcomes and circumstances. Prior-onset MDD was associated with reduced likelihood of remission of substance dependence, as was substance-induced MDD current at baseline. No depression variable was associated with stable remission in use. Abstinence MDD was associated with substance use after hospital discharge and relapse into dependence after a stable remission. Prior-onset MDD was not related to relapse.
The data support the DSM-IV primary and substance-induced distinctions as well as distinction between prior-onset and abstinence depressions because different types of depression were related to different aspects of outcome. While we did not predict the association of prior-onset MDD with remission from substance dependence because of its distal nature, prior-onset MDD reduced the likelihood of dependence remission even with current MDD in the model. As noted, prior-onset MDD began at about age 16 years. This early MDD may cause distinct psychosocial disability, contributing to difficulties in achieving remission from substance dependence. The time-varying course of substance-induced MDD also decreased the likelihood of dependence remission. Substance-induced MDD may place an additional proximal burden on individuals trying to recover from dependence that may interfere with activities or efforts needed to achieve sustained remission.
The effects of abstinence MDD on relapse might occur several ways. It may reduce energy needed to refrain from drug and/or alcohol use. Feeling worse during abstinence than when using substances due to depression may reduce motivation to continue abstinence efforts. Depression may lead to self-medication.25,26 Aspects of MDD may become conditioned cues for drug use, continuing to prompt drug cravings during abstinence.27 Abstinence MDD may also reflect preexisting negative thinking that presents a common risk for depression and relapse. Consistent with this, antidepressants for depression during treatment for alcoholism28-32 or drug addiction29,33 improve depression and modestly improve substance abuse.
We analyzed abstinence and substance-induced MDD as separate variables, finding distinct effects. Combining them would have attenuated the ability to show an effect. This supports the utility of the DSM-IV primary vs substance-induced distinction. Our approach also supported differentiation between lifetime primary-onset and abstinence MDD. If these types of depression are truly different, combining them limits the ability to understand each one. Note that effects were found controlling for baseline dependence on all 3 substances, using an outcome defined by remission from all 3 substances. This eliminated questions about substance switching.
Several methodological limitations warrant comment. Our results were based on naturalistic findings in treated inpatients. To generalize the results, untreated subjects and different types of patients need to be studied. Also, this study did not include urine samples or informant reports. However, in the absence of sanctions, reports of drug use tend to be accurate.34 Only a few patients reported sustained remission from alcohol and/or drug use without relapse, so the scope of disclosure suggests relatively accurate reporting. Finally, we analyzed remissions lasting at least 26 weeks because we wanted periods with stability. Analyzing longer remissions would require longer follow-ups.
Investigators differ on the best outcome indicators in substance abuse research. We separated remission from relapse to study whether their predictors differed. We also analyzed dependence and use separately. Individuals can stop manifesting dependence symptoms while decreasing but not ceasing use, as indicated by the proportion of untreated drinkers with past-only alcohol dependence.35 However, in the clinical sphere, many think that a harm reduction strategy leaves patients vulnerable for relapse. Therefore, investigating predictors of sustained abstinence is important.
Difficulty diagnosing MDD in alcohol and drug patients has led to inconsistencies in the relationship of depression to substance outcome. This study presented evidence of differential effects of major depression occurring under different temporal relationships to substance dependence. Research on the reasons for differences in the effects (for example, effects of different levels or types of disability) may yield clinically useful information. We suggest that future studies on these issues be conducted.
Accepted for publication August 13, 2001.
The study was supported by grant R01 DA 08409 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Md, grant AA K02 AA00151 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, and by the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Corresponding author and reprints: Deborah Hasin, PhD, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, Box 123, New York, NY10032 (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com).
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July 29, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett
The following appeared in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs on July 24, 2013:
On July 25, Vietnam"s President Truong Tan Sang meets President Obama at the White House, even as continued violations of religious freedom and related human rights back in Vietnam negatively complicate the relationship between our two countries.
As documented in this year"s Annual Report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Vietnam"s government shows no signs of loosening its iron grip over religious activities across the nation, as it continues to severely restrict independent religious practice and repress individuals and groups it deems a challenge to its authority. The government deploys a specialized religious police force and uses ill-defined national security laws to suppress independent Buddhist, Protestant, Hoa Hao, and Cao Dai practices, while aiming to stifle the growth of ethnic minority Protestantism and Catholicism through violence, discrimination, and compulsory renunciations of faith.
The regime also threatens, intimidates, detains, sentences, and disbars lawyers who have defended human rights by representing religious communities or human rights and religious freedom advocates in cases against the state. In December 2012, Vietnamese authorities arrested Le Quoc Quan, an attorney and human rights defender who has helped Vietnamese Catholics in seeking return of church properties. They are now holding Mr. Quan incommunicado in Hoa Lo Prison and denying him access to his own lawyer or family. In 2010, Dr. Cu Huy Ha Vu was charged with propaganda against the state after representing the villagers of Con Dau against the authorities" land grab of their village and cemetery. Despite being in poor health, he is now serving a seven-year sentence due to other activities.
Other individuals detained for their religious practice or religious freedom advocacy include Nguyen Cong Chinh, Bui Van Tham, Thuy Vo Thi Thu, Nguyen Van Thanh, Phan Ngoc Tuan, Nguyen Trung Ton, Nguyen Van Lia, Tran Hoi An, Ksor Y Du, Kpa Y Ko, Father Nguyen Van Ly, and Thich Quang Do.
Given these systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief, USCIRF continues to recommend to our State Department that Vietnam be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), marking it among the worst religious freedom abusers in the world. Though the Commission has been making this recommendation since 2001, the State Department has only recognized Vietnam as a CPC in 2004 and 2005, removing the designation in 2006 because of advances made toward fulfilling a binding agreement.
Following the initial designation of Vietnam as a CPC and increased American and international attention, Vietnam took measured steps to improve religious freedom conditions, including enacting a law banning forced renunciations of faith and releasing dozens of individuals imprisoned in connection with religion or belief. These steps contradict the oft-repeated claim that linking human rights and religious freedom concerns to our bilateral relationship will inevitably be counterproductive. Clearly, if Vietnam reverses its current course and begins again to improve religious freedom conditions, it can only strengthen the bond between our countries and increase goodwill between our peoples.
This Thursday"s state visit with President Truong Tan Sang provides President Obama with an ideal chance to communicate this vital message to Vietnam, for the sake of the fundamental rights of the Vietnamese people and the benefit of our bilateral relationship.
Katrina Lantos Swett is a Commissioner at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) who has just completed her term as USCIRF"s Chair.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3258 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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A new soybean technology offers increased productivity and profitability for farmers, Monsanto says, thanks to a focus on boosting yield in Roundup Ready soybeans.
"When we asked soybean growers what technology they wanted us to invest in, the answer was clear," says Ernesto Fajardo, Vice President of U.S. Crop Production for Monsanto. "It was yield."
Monsanto claims that based on 3 years of testing, its next generation Roundup RReady2Yield technology offers a 7 to 11% yield advantage over current Roundup Ready technology. On a field averaging 50 bushels per acre, that could mean a 3.5-5.5 bushel per acre boost.
The company has not yet priced the product, and it does not intend to commercialize RR2Yield before gaining approval from certain export destinations.


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This is my little baby boy's 1st birthday cake. I made some curtains for his nursery out of an adorable fabric by Michael Miller called Retro Rocket Rascals, and I just couldn't get enough of it, so I decided it would also be the theme for his first birthday.
The white decorations on this cake are made of gum paste, and created using the Cricut Cake Machine. I got my Cricut machine a few years ago and haven't used it a ton, but it is great for cutting out intricate, detailed decorations.
A lot of work went into making the retro rocket boy figure atop the cake. When making a special figure, I often make two just in case something happens to one. Everything here is made out of fondant and gum paste with spaghetti used for the supports.
I made a lot of different faces because it took a while to get it just right. The hair is made of royal icing, and I used luster dust to color the cheeks.
Here is the alternate face. In this photo you can see that the royal icing hair is still wet. The black part of the eye is painted using AmeriColor Super Black gel paste.
Hudson loves a party, and he actually had two parties for his 1st birthday!
I saved the top tier of his cake to make the cupcake tree for the dessert table.
There were a lot of fun treats for the babies, and I found some straws that fit the retro rocket theme!
The paper cups and pretzel cups are from Meri Meri and Paper Eskimo. I love all of the cute stuff they come up with!
Popcorn isn't baby safe, but having snacks for parents is always a good idea!
These rocket pop cookies were a big hit with the kids.
The cupcake toppers and "Happy Birthday Hudson" banners were made using the Cricut Cake machine. I love these Red Wave Baking Cups from Wilton.
Hudson loved all of the birthday festivities and attention! He is one perfect little guy!


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Erin Weber's Boxing Aviary quilt makes beautiful use of print fabrics in an of the moment color scheme.
Here's what Erin had to say about herself and her quilt.
"A while ago, I was flipping through a magazine and saw a pattern for a quilt that had offset squares, uneven framing and also showed off the fabrics really well. After I purchased Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 line, I fell immediately in love with the fabrics! The thought of chopping them up to be almost unrecognizable was not an option. I needed to focus on letting those fabrics be the center of attention. I remembered what I liked about the quilt I saw in the magazine and tried to reinterpret it. I think what makes it modern is the simplicity of the design, the use of solids (Kona Charcoal, Moda Snow, Kona Black) and also the contrasts in light and dark colors. This quilt was quilted by my mom (before she taught me to do my own!), Maureen McPherson on a longarm machine. The pantograph pattern that was used is called Chaperal."
I am a newer quilter. I just started sewing in February and quilting in late February, early March. I was pregnant on bed rest and was feeling bored. I was very active before getting pregnant and now was forced to stay at home either sitting or laying down. Sure, I have other children to tend to, but they didn't always need my attention so I needed a hobby!! My mom is a quilter so I asked her to help me make a quilt. I haven't stopped since!
I would describe myself as a modern quilter who enjoys working with solids and beautiful fabric… for me it is mostly about the fabric. In fact, sometimes I just sit in my craft room and stare at my fabric. Sometimes it talks to me… tells me what to do with it. I love every bit of the process– picking out fabrics, designing, piecing, pressing, quilting and even binding! Since I have a mother who is a quilter, she has taught me how to longarm quilt so I have especially enjoyed doing more of that and experimenting with more complicated patterns and techniques. I am a member of the Houston Modern Quilt Guild which I LOVE."
Note: The magazine pattern referenced above was Out of the Box by Catherine Purifoy, from the Spring 2011 edition of Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts.
Read more about Erin's quilts on her blog, Bittle Bear.


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Review: Julia Nunes' Settle Down
Julia Nunes is the future. A future where talented artists bypass traditional music publishing conglomerates and make their income directly from fans.
Settle Down was bankrolled by fans, for fans. That it's a great album is almost secondary to its importance as a tangible example of what this next generation of professional musician can accomplish.
Julia Nunes got her start making YouTube videos, in which she covered a variety of popular songs with her distinctive alto voice and trademark ukulele. As her videos got more and more views (and she got more and more fans), she started answering questions and talking to her audience at the end of each new video.
This personal connection, all too rare in the music world, helped increase her popularity further. Her various videos have been viewed more than 50 million times.
iTunes sales, and even a self-funded album, did well, and when it came time for a new album, she turned again to her audience.
Using the audience-funding power of Kickstarter, Nunes created a campaign adorably titled "Julia Nunes Would Be Nothing Without Me."
When the Kickstarter goal was met in the first 24 hours, Nunes smartly doubled down, offering items above and beyond the $10 for a CD or $50 for the CD and a t-shirt. For $1,000 she'd make a YouTube video of a cover of your choice. For $2,500 she'd play your party. And it worked. Every offering sold, and she took in $77,888. . . of a $15,000 goal. That's right, she made nearly $80 grand on an album she hadn't even started yet. That kind of enthusiasm in a fanbase is rare, and can't be bought.
What's clear is that beneath the bubbly exterior and charming, self-effacing humor is an extremely skilled marketer. Nunes knows that the personal, albeit largely digital, connection with her fans is what's given her such a loyal following. As she's become more popular, she has increased her contact, not distanced herself. You're as likely to see a Facebook post on something cool that happened to her that day as you are a mention of an upcoming show.
A logical comparison could be to Ani DiFranco, who hails from a similar part of upstate New York, and who also eschewed traditional music publishing. In Ani's case, the answer was to launch her own music label. Nunes is a new breed of enterprising, entrepreneurial musician. Where DiFranco toured relentlessly to build her fanbase, Nunes uses the Internet to reach an even wider potential audience. She tours, of course, but knows the Internet is where most of her fans live. This is a fundamental - some may say cataclysmic - shift in the way music is exposed to the world.
Of course, first you have to be good. Really good, and that core is where Nunes starts. Early YouTube videos have her playing every part of a song, harmonizing with herself and using random instruments in a multi-track extravaganza of quirky goodness. Ukulele, melodica, guitar, even toy piano, all get thrown in for good measure. The eclectic mix of timbres somehow blends into a cohesive sound that's familiar, yet different.
Thankfully, Settle Down continues this trend, adding a layer of professional polish that a real studio can add. Far too often, when an indie musician gets access to a larger budget, they lose sight of what made them popular. Slow Club is a good example of this - each new album has moved them further from the two singers-one guitar sound that got them their initial hits.
On Settle, Nunes hands over some of the heavy lifting to professional musicians, but her personality makes the transfer to bigger budget intact. The 18 songs - mostly new, a couple re-recorded - all exude a lively charm, even the ballads. The lead single, "Stay Awake" is an ode to "voluntary insomniacs," as she puts it. "Balloons" and "First Impressions," sound better here than in their initial incarnations.
There's a genuineness to Nunes's personality that can't be faked, though scores of musicians and actors have tried. Settle Down captures that. Perhaps it could have been pared down slightly for a tighter album, but I don't think any of her fans would complain about its length. In fact, that's what this album radiates: a love for her fans.
With all the arguments about Spotify or iTunes killing traditional music distribution (and income), a new breed of musician, one that's a skilled marketer and adept at social media, YouTube, and so on, has found an audience and a way to make a successful living without the music publishing middleman. Here's hoping we see a lot more from Julia Nunes, and the countless other musicians like her all around the world.