text:
Securing Peace beyond Borders
Recently the Golan Heights came into world focus again after details emerged of secret negotiations between Syria and Israel under Turkish mediation, and Israel's out-going Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signalled that he was prepared to hand the Golan back to Syria.
During the Six-Day War Israel besieged the strategically important plateau and annexed it in 1981. For more than three decades, around 1,000 UN Blue Beret troupes have been deployed to supervise the ceasefire between the enemy states and have thus maintained peace, fragile though it is, in one of the world's most conflicted regions.
Duties of the peacekeeping mission
The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) consists of a total of 1,043 troupes from six different nations, whereby the Austrian battalion (AUSBATT) represents the largest contingent of the peacekeeping force. Headquarters are situated at Camp Faouar on Syrian territory.
The UN observer force supervising the implementation of the ceasefire between Syria and Israel on the Golan was established in May 1974 based on Resolution 350 of the Security Council. It is deployed to supervise and monitor the area of separation between the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel, and a part of Syrian territory – a small area some 80 kilometres long that stretches from Mount Hermon in the north to the Yarmuk River in the south.
"The mission of UNDOF is to basically supervise the implementation of the ceasefire agreement from 1974," says Major-General Wolfgang Jilke, force commander of the UN troupe.
"We have an Area of Separation, the narrow zone between both rival parties, which, according to the mandate, is to be kept free of military troupes; only UN forces are allowed to enter this zone. Either side of the Area of Separation is the so-called 'Area of Limitation' – these are zones that are 10, 20 and 25 kilometres wide respectively. In these areas we make sure that the limitations of equipment and forces are being followed."
The fatal legacy of war
Additionally, the UNDOF team responsible for the clearance of mines ensures security on the patrol paths on the Golan. Decades after the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 the fatal legacies of the still smouldering Arab-Israeli conflict can be found all over the Golan Heights, back then fought over by the Syrian and Israeli armies: anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines; bombs and grenades.
Manfred Völkl is a Warrant Officer in the Austrian military and currently acting commander of the so-called Explosive Ordnance Disposal team of the Austrian UN battalion on Golan Heights. He explains why the UNDOF is not officially commissioned to work in the field of mine clearance:
"That is not our job; those tasks are only carried out by civil NGOs. For us the most important thing is the UN personnel. But when civilians come to us and report that they have warfare agents in their houses or gardens, of course we dispose them." Even today civilians continue to get killed when they unwittingly pass the ceasefire lines in the mined region.
Golan as the political apple of discord
Although the conflict between Syria and Israel about the political apple of discord that is Golan still exists, at least peace has been secured between the two arch rivals along the ceasefire line – a success that is ultimately due to the work of the UN peacekeeping forces.
Crossfire along the border or attacks that could have resulted in the serious military conflicts of both camps have not occurred since the implementation of the UNDOF mandate.
However the UN force has had no control over the tearing apart of families on the Golan due to war and demarcation lines. In his film The Syrian Bride the prominent Israeli film director Eran Riklis shows how a daughter from a Druzian family living on the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan marries a distant Syrian relative on the other side of the border fence – knowing that she will never be allowed to visit her own family in Israel again.
Dialogue beyond borders
These days, however, at least weddings, family meetings and student exchange programmes are possible in the no-man's land between the Israelis and Syrian frontier posts, thanks to the humanitarian aid of the Red Cross in conjunction with the United Nations.
"This runs very smoothly," explains Major General Wolfgang Jilke. "It takes place at the frontier posts, the gates that are under Israeli, Syrian and UN control respectively. It means that whoever wants to return from one side to the other can only do so through these loop holes. The Red Cross organises these very humanitarian acts and we ensure passage between point A and point B."
Through the use of loudspeakers, platforms on the Syrian side have been created, which enable communication between the Syrian population and their family members living on the other side. But this "family shouting place" actually used to have a different function, as Jilke explains:
"It was still possible back then, and the Israelis still allowed both parts of the families living on the Syrian and the Israeli occupied sides to come near the fence. They were allowed physical contact through the fence. But that was stopped by the Israelis for security reasons."
In this way the UNDOF troupes are not only responsible for supervision and keeping peace but also for maintaining a dialogue that goes far beyond borders. Even if it is only about a simple platform for communication made out of concrete and metal.
Arian Fariborz
© Qantara.de 2008
Translated from the German by Mý Huê McGowran
Interview with Patrick Müller
Golan Heights in Return for Peace
Syria has confirmed that peace talks are currently taking place between Damascus and Tel Aviv. In return for peace, Israel offered the Syrians the prospect of withdrawal from the Golan Heights. But what are the chances that the two sides will actually reach an agreement? Khaula Saleh asked Middle East expert Patrick Müller for his views
Commentary by Avi Primor
The Key to Peace Lies in Damascus
It's now official: Israel and Syria are holding indirect peace talks. A peace agreement between the two countries could break Iran's dangerous influence in the region, says Avi Primor, former Israeli Ambassador to Germany
Interview with Eran Riklis
The Making of "The Syrian Bride"
Eran Riklis' latest film, "The Syrian Bride", deals with a young Druze woman from the Golan Heights who marries a man from Syria. After the wedding, she is not allowed to visit her family in Israel anymore. Interview by Igal Avidan
UNDOF Mission


text:
Freelance Web Design & Development
Many people venturing onto the Internet find themselves getting stuck at some point. Stuck getting a website started, finished or improved, stuck getting certain parts of their online venture completed, stuck not knowing where to go to get the help they need. If you're stuck, and you need help with a web project, call me.
I'm Chris, a web freelancer from Australia, and I help people to finish their online projects and achieve their Internet goals.
Web Freelancers are a great choice.
Web freelancers are there to deliver the best of all worlds to people looking to head online.
You don't have to pay them sick leave or holiday pay, they work quickly, and if you choose someone local, it's possible to build up an ongoing relationship with them.
Freelancers don't charge BIG agency fees so they are also competitive in their rates.
I'm a web freelancer because of all the advantages it offers me. I meet loads of great, interesting people, have a variety of projects to keep life interesting and get to test my skills across many different technologies. It's not the life for everyone – but I enjoy it.
Web Freelance Services.
There is a full list of my web freelancer services in this website, but in short, if you want to:
- Get a website or blog designed and built
- Get a website or blog branded
- Get flash animation created for a website
- Get ranking in Google
Or a myriad of other things, talk to me.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You are about to enter a website that may contain content of an adult nature.
Hello everyone, this is Indian cam girl CandySquirtxx2 here. I'm 25 year old Female speak English in the Indian live sex chat action. i will cum all over u till u will cum. i do the Best show like: anal, oral, vaginal, fingering ass, fingering pussy , DP with finger, DP with toys , toys, vibrators , i can suck my toy for u & very kinky things...and can squirt. I am a hot girl ready to play at any moment. Wanna join?... Got my fingers and toys ready and my pussy is dripping as well, waiting for u to join. Come join me and I`ll squirt my hot creamy cum on ur face, cock or chest. I ll make u cum. is my expertise and also what I will do in Indian live sex private show. I have Brown eyes, Long Black hairs and my measurements are 90-60-90. For Turn ons: i am so hot and so wet and in a mood to fuck my sweet ass and wet pussy with big toys very deep and squirt. For TurnsOff: rude people. If you prefer kinks, then Piercings,Tattoos,Shaved,Branded, are mine. I'm just hungry for a HARD cock, can't wait to see u in my Indian webcam sex chat room! :)
This website contains live indian sex cams, desi cams, hindi cam and tamil sex chat related sexually explicit content.
You must be at least 18 years of age to enter this website.
© Since 2012 myindiansexcams.com Indian Sex Chat Network All Rights Reserved
AllHosts1 - AllHosts2 - AllHosts3 - AllHosts4 - AllHosts5 - AllHosts6 - AllHosts7 - AllHosts8 - AllHosts9 - AllHosts10 - AllHosts11 - AllHosts12


text:
Luxury watch making brand Rolex will become the official Formula 1 timekeeper from the 2013 season, it was announced on Wednesday.
As a result of the deal, the Rolex logo will appear around the circuits and at several corners during Formula 1 races.
In a statement, Rolex said its presence in Formula 1 is "due to develop over the coming seasons".
The new partnership means the Swiss company also becomes the official timepiece to the sport.
Formula 1 had signed a multi-year deal with LG in 2008 as its technology partner. LG's logo featured on F1's live timing system.
"Without question Rolex is the partner of choice for a world class sporting series like Formula 1," said F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
"The brand's prestige, the excellence of its watches as well as Rolex's passionate and long-standing commitment to motor sports gives it true credibility.
"This partnership is something that many people interested in Formula 1 will have been waiting for and should rightly be excited about. Rolex has incredible sporting heritage and therefore Formula 1 is the right place for Rolex to be."
So no more LG graphics, that's good!
Edited by Anonymous, 05 December 2012 - 12:21.


text:
This is a spoiler-heavy zone. You have been warned.
Mark: Oh, Betty. Despite Ms. Francis doing the epically shitty thing of using her daughter as a pawn against her ex-husband, I think some of that season one sympathy that she instilled in me is creeping its way back in. Who, like Betty, wouldn't be a little peeved to witness Don and Megan's swinging Manhattan pad and genuine affection for each other when all they had to go back home to was a dark, empty house and a distant daddy-husband? You know you don't mess with Sally if you want to stay in my good graces, but damned if I didn't feel for Betty that her greatest source of pleasure in her life currently is a meticulously portioned glob of sweet potatoes. I'm definitely sensitive to weight issues, so maybe that has something to do with it. But I also know how deeply it hurts to be jilted, and although she does not process her feelings in anywhere near a healthy way, there is something to Betty's anger and disappointment over Megan somehow having access to a sensitive, loving Don Draper that Betty herself never knew. Don't get me wrong, Betty can be such a dope. After all, she is thankful because "I have everything I want, and no one has anything better". It's important to her that everyone else be on a lower rung. That line actually made me laugh out loud and exclaim "What a Betty thing to say!" Yes, I'm an obnoxious TV watcher sometimes. Well, anyway, chalk another one up for Sally's dying innocence. Sorry, Sal, not even the grown-ups have it figured out. Good luck!
Now that Megan has flown the Sterling Coop to pursue guest spots on Dark Shadows (in theaters now!), Don has no choice but to reengage with his work. And he's a little rusty. Not only does his cartoon devil pitch lack that Don Draper feeling, it looks downright quaint next to Ginsberg's literally in-your-face Snoball campaign. It was painful to hear Don have to justify – TWICE – that his devil ad will work if you hear the scary devil voice in your head. When it comes down to it, Don predicates his idea entirely on the fact that kids like cartoon devils, which to paraphrase Roger Sterling, sounds like a client's idea if I've ever heard one. Like Betty, Don feels jilted and passed up, in this case by the changing world of advertising. He has been checked out for a while (Ginsberg condescendingly congratulates Don on being able to write after not doing it for so long), and is jealous of the new kid on the block. Shades of Betty and Megan. And like Betty, Don takes the petty route and ditches Ginsberg's mock-up in the cab ride to the presentation, and he sells the client on his cartoon devil after Ginsberg's work was unanimously chosen as the stronger pitch by the SCDP partners. Maybe Don and Betty are more alike than we thought, and as genuinely supportive as Don is of Megan's choice to pursue acting, maybe Don can only go so far. As Joan reminded us, Don was once this smitten with Betty back when she was a bright-eyed model plucked from a casting call. As Roger says (I'm quoting him a lot today), it's every man for himself, and who's to say Don won't jump ship the minute he tires of his worldview being challenged? Megan, Ginsberg and the entire world aren't going to stop moving forward, and it wouldn't surprise me if Don just ripped the needle off the record in frustration and walked away from it all. Don vacillates between being with and behind the times, but ultimately I'm afraid he just can't handle all those sitars and tape loops. By the way, I missed the last couple of weeks, but I can't believe this show was able to license "Tomorrow Never Knows". How expensive must that have been?
|Gratuitous side-boob image brought to you by the good people of LowBrowMedia.
Continuing the theme of "Everybody's Selfish!" is Mr. Pete Campbell and his dogged pursuit of Beth. This is more from last week's episode, since I didn't have a chance to weigh in, but gosh... It's the same with Betty. Weiner and pals have a special talent of making their characters act like utter scumbags but having them still somehow be sympathetic. Pete's motivations come from the most selfish and petty of places, all from his thwarted sense of superiority and unfulfilled need to be seen as important and to guide the narrative of his life, but damn his depression is palpable. He is the saddest little fuck I've ever seen, and his need to turn the tables on Beth in order to correct some misplaced idea that women shouldn't have the ability to guide the course of action if a man believes things should go another way is just mindblowing. Wait a minute, Pete! That tiny speck of ground you have to stand on is crumbling! Watch out below!
I also appreciated that the fog of dread that has been hanging over this entire series became literal this week, in the form of the poisonous smog which apparently was a real thing and killed 169 people in 1966. I feel like that's the kind of metaphor that causes Matthew Weiner to literally drool. After that and the incredibly ominous open elevator shaft from two weeks ago, I'm really starting to feel the cold hand of death hanging over this show. Or perhaps it's the cold hand of Satan gripping his ice cold Snoball treat!
Jon: Ask and you shall receive! Last week I petitioned for some overdue Betty action and, man alive, did I get it this time. She's been busy trying to lose some of that excess weight we were introduced to earlier this season by engaging in some serious portion-controlled meals and attending some therapy sessions (also known as Weight Watchers). Things seem to be on the upswing for her, but the combination of getting glimpses of Don's swanky new apartment, his new wife's banging physique and their lovey-dovey correspondence prove to be too much, and she immediately regresses into the childlike behavior that drove her into this mess in the first place. But as awful as it was of her to spill some of Don's secret past to Sally, it was probably the most fun thing I've seen her do since she was gunning down birds with a ciggy hanging out of the side of her mouth. As much as her character drives me bonkers, "Dark Shadows" was a wonderful reminder how necessary Betty is to the show. She makes almost everything around her more interesting. A lot of trouble was caused this week, as she accelerated a lot of things into motion involving Don and Megan, as well as Don and Sally for the final episodes of season 5.
In addition to Betty's return, there were a couple of important shifts with other characters that occurred this week, namely the rest of the Drapers -- Megan, Sally and Don -- and young, enigmatic Michael Ginsberg.
Megan continues to buy into her father's disappointment in her life, with this week bringing us a peek at a similar sentiment from her acting friend we last saw at the "Zou Bisou Bisou" party. As her lovely ginger friend points out, Megan's pretty far away from the struggling actress reduced to reading for a cheesy gothic soap opera. At this point, I'm wondering if she'll leave Don to pursue her stage dreams just to struggle for the point of struggling, or if he'll become completely disenchanted with her before she has the chance.
But cute redheaded actresses aren't the only ones giving Megan a hard time this week, as Sally cuts deep at her with Betty's claws. The revelation of her father's dark secrets hurt Sally immensely, shattering her idealistic view she's allowed herself to build of him as an absentee parent, an image very unlike what Sally's cultivated for Betty. Soon enough, she'll be free of any simple vision of either one of her parents. But Sally's further ascent into adolescence does stop there. This week has shown us she is an absolute master at manipulating every adult in her proximity. She circles around each of Betty, Don and Megan with amazing tact, and one can only marvel at what she'll be able to pull off next season.
After having spent most of the season avoiding work at such an astonishing rate Roger has probably been the more productive SCDP employee this season, Don finally heads back into full workaholic mode. Bert's chastization from a few weeks back has finally become undeniable, so Don spends part of the weekend alone in the office brainstorming on the pitch for a new client. Really though, this is little more than a residual effect of Megan's decision to leave the advertising industry, as Don's physical and creative wanderings around the office seem a result of escaping his homelife now that it's no longer intertwined with his work.
And this new-found immersion in work brings him head to head with rising creative supernova Michael Ginsberg. A few weeks ago, Mark mentioned that we weren't talking enough about Ginsberg, and he was completely right. Season 5 has been peppering tidbits of information on the newest copywriter almost every week, but I never felt I had enough to really sink my teeth into with him until now. As great at their jobs as we've seen Peggy and Don be, Ginsberg has a wild, unpredictable streak that allows for his work to possibly reach another level of greatness. He's incredibly young and knows he's supremely talented, a difficult combination to harness. When he learns Don never brought his Snoball idea to the client -- one that was clearly superior to his boss's idea -- he goes berserk, partly because he knows Don did it intentionally and also because he has no filter. Ginsberg confronts Don in the elevator the following morning. As much as my hearts goes out to the kid for calling him out, Don so effectively swats him away that I'm immediately sent back into his corner. Ginsberg will receive his due accolades if he swallows a smidgen of pride. It just may not be within the offices of SCDP.
The only other major event that happened this week was Roger hooked up with Jane in her new apartment basically because he decided he wanted to. Not sure if anything significant will come of that, but it gobbled up enough of the episode that it's worth mentioning.
On a closing note (and also because it actually worked last time with Betty), I'm calling for the return of Lane. I miss that crazy British bastard! Did Pete mess up his face so much, he's gone into hiding? I need to know. And also please more sideboob. See you all again in a few days!
Episodes 1&2 - "A Little Kiss"
Episode 3 - "Tea Leaves"
Episode 4 - "Mystery Date"
Episode 5 - "Signal 30"
Episode 6 - "Far Away Places"
Episode 7 - "At The Codfish Ball"
Episode 8 - "Lady Lazarus"
|Peggy wasn't a big player this week, but we couldn't bring ourselves to leave this shot on the cutting room floor.


text:
Call 800-788-7885 or your travel agent and book your trip today!
Or... Select one or more travel options:
Meet award-winning filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.
Discover the journeys created by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, together with Tauck, based on the themes of their films.
Original content... journeys featuring filmed narrative vignettes produced exclusively for Tauck by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.
In-depth, single-departure exclusive travel experiences based on the themes from Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan's films.
Our exclusive partnership, Ken Burns American Journeys, brings the stories and themes of their films to life for Tauck guests, designed to provide something for everyone, suiting different tastes and different styles of travel. You'll find journeys featuring Stories by Ken Burns on our one- and two-week classic journeys, Tauck Bridges family adventures, and Tauck Culturious small group trips – and classic journeys and Tauck Culturious small group trips Crafted by Tauck & Ken Burns. We've taken great pride in telling America's story on unique travel experiences for 90+ years – and our partnership with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan bring some of America's most compelling and engaging stories to life in new and different ways. Discover the difference...
Tauck has partnered with award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, America's premier storyteller, and his longtime collaborator, Dayton Duncan, to bring their unique perspectives, knowledge, and behind-the-scenes stories from their films and books to life in first-hand travel experiences – Ken Burns American Journeys.
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan worked with Tauck to choreograph new trips based on the themes of the films of Ken Burns.
Filmed narrative vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan – this original content is produced exclusively for Tauck; the vignettes deepen your travel experience by sharing Ken and Dayton's own personal stories, in-depth perspectives and reflections about the people and events that shaped America. You'll go behind-the-scenes of their films with insights that you won't get anywhere else – or if traveling on your own.
Ken Burns Events are co-created by Tauck and filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan; Ken gives a special keynote presentation at each Event followed by an opportunity to meet him. Intricately crafted and well-choreographed, they are based in one destination and are theme-driven around the subjects of their films.
or your travel agent and book your trip today!
Select one or more travel options, then click the "find your trip" button below.
» Clear Selections
Please fill in the form below to view your free Tauck eBrochure!
To be contacted by a Tauck Reservations Counselor, please provide your name and email address as noted below. To better assist you, please also note tour or destination questions.
* Required fields
Your request has been received.
Tell us a little about yourself and we'll make sure you get the most relevant information.
New to Tauck
A Past Tauck Traveler
A Travel Agent


text:
The U.S. Congress on Friday approved a measure freezing federally subsidized student loan rates for a year, averting a doubling of rates scheduled to occur Sunday and offering President Obama the opportunity to claim victory after a high-profile pressure campaign to persuade Congress to act.
Lawmakers agreed to the item as part of a larger measure that also includes funding for road and bridge construction, passing the package on the eve of a week-long recess for the July 4 holiday.
The House approved the measure on a 373-to-52 vote; it was approved in the Senate 74 to 19. It now heads to Obama for his signature.
"This legislation proves that when Republicans decide to work with Democrats, we can do a lot to move our economy forward," Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said in a statement.
With the measure's passage, loan rates will remain 3.4 percent for another year, rather than rising to 6.8 percent. The change is estimated to help more than 7 million students, saving them an average of $1,000 each on their loans.
Obama had made the need for congressional action a centerpiece of a stump speech delivered on college campuses and elsewhere across the country, suggesting that Republicans were obstructing a loan freeze that could benefit middle-income families.
In fact, Republican leaders had indicated weeks ago that they, too, favored halting the rise in rates. The parties had been arguing how to pay the $6 billion price tag, and the GOP accused Obama of campaigning on the issue but failing to work to negotiate a solution.
In the end, Senate leaders negotiated a break to the impasse, agreeing to pay for the item by raising premiums for federal pension insurance.
Their hope was to assuage concerns from the business community over the price hike with a separate item that will change rules for calculating pension liabilities, lowering costs for businesses. Still, some companies are likely to object to the premium increase.
Also, eligibility for a federally subsidized loan will now be capped to 150 percent of the length of a college program. So, students enrolled in a four-year program will be able to receive loans for only six years.
This story has been updated.
Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
More from PostPolitics:
Health-care ruling vindicates Donald Verrilli
Which Democrats voted to hold Eric Holder in contempt?


text:
Faculty at the School of Arts and Humanities
Magdalena Grohman
Associate Director of the Center for Values in Medicine, Science and Technology
Area: ARHM
Areas of Specialization: Psychology of Creativity, Creative Thinking Tools and Techniques Workshops, Cognitive Psychology
Office: JO 4.114
Mail Station: JO 31
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 972-883-4940
Magdalena Grohman is Associate Director of Center for Values in Medicine, Science and Technology at UT Dallas, where she manages the Center's day-to-day operations, strategic and financial planning, development, outreach program planning and coordination. She is also a lecturer at the School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, where she teaches a class on Psychology of Creativity. Her research and educational interests focus on cognitive aspects of creative thinking and creative problem solving, as well as on pedagogy of creativity. Her mission is to propagate creative thinking as a part of a life-span education for children, youth, parents and teachers. She has fifteen years of experience leading workshops on creative-thinking techniques and creative problem solving, both in commercial and educational settings; since 2010, she has been leading Summer Seminar for Teachers and a Think Creatively! workshops at Dallas Museum of Art. Grohman has published several chapters and articles on creativity, both in Polish and English. She received her MA and PhD in psychology from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.
Recent Courses: View courses taught by Magdalena Grohman
PhD, cognitive psychology and psychology of creativity, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 2004
MA, psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 1998
Curriculum Vitae: Magdalena Grohman's CV


text: B.o.B and Taylor Swift take to the heartland of Nashville, TN to shoot the video for their song "BOTH OF US," directed by Jake Nava (Beyonce "Single Ladies", Adele "Someone Like You") . "BOTH OF US" is the latest single off of B.o.B's critically acclaimed sophomore album, Strange Clouds. The video will premiere at the end of June, further details to come.


text: Bontrager's RL WSD Short Sleeve Jersey is a must-have in every woman's collection of riding gear. Profila Dry fabric with Profila Cool mesh inserts keep you comfortable on the road. It boasts a full zipper to help keep you cool on long climbs. The drop hem and streamlined fit offer cycling-specific fit and performance, while the three rear pockets easily hold all your riding gear.


text:
Feature Articles
- ‹ Prev
- Next ›
Cameras Galore!
Exciting times are ahead, we say. For those of us who can't wait for the major announcements over at PMA 2009, Panasonic has indulged us with a slew of devices. Unveiled during the Panasonic LUMIX Asia 2009 held in Singapore, we were introduced to the full lineup, laid bare for the media to take a peek at. From its latest, updated LUMIX series, to the introduction of its very first rugged digital compact cameras and camcorders, we call this a truckload of goodies coming our way.
It's not just about some swanky new underwater camera from Panasonic. There are also many updates for its LUMIX and camcorder lineup. New additions such as Face Recognition, 70X Optical Zoom for its camcorder series and AVCHD Lite video recording are some of the new features introduced in 2009. So, without further ado, move on to the next page as we give you the brief highlights and what you should look out for in the upcoming LUMIX and camcorder series from Panasonic.
- ‹ Prev
- Next ›


text:
Spartacus Legends
Spartacus Legends tournaments are coming this fall to the free-to-play game
Ubisoft has announced the inclusion of tournaments in its free-to-play Spartacus Legends. Based off the Starz TV show, Spartacus Legends puts you in the shoes of a Lanista, and you can train and customize your gladiators to get them ready to bloody up other players. The game is playable in both offline or online multiplayer […]
Spartacus Legends headlines
Spartacus Legends out next week on XBLA, new trailer released
Spartacus Legends, the free-to-play brawler from Ubisoft, has a new trailer available below. The XBLA versions of the game released on June 26 with the PSN release "coming soon."
Spartacus Legends wins Australia's second R18+ rating
Spartacus Legends lives up to its gory license if the Australian Classification Board's assessment of its "high impact violence" is any guide.
Spartacus Legends going free to play on console networks
Spartacus Legends, an arena combat tie in to the popular Starz series, will be free on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
First trailer shows Spartacus Legends in gladiatorial action
This trailer doesn't contain enough Lucy lawless, but as this criticism can be leveled at everything that has ever existed it's probably not fair to pick on Kung Fu Factory's Spartacus Legends.
Spartacus Legends due on PS3, Xbox 360 in early 2013
A brawler based on the popular Starz series Spartacus is on the way, Ubisoft has announced.
Spartacus Legends latest
Spartacus Legends tournaments are coming this fall to the free-to-play game
Spartacus Legends out next week on XBLA, new trailer released
First trailer shows Spartacus Legends in gladiatorial action


text:
The Germany city of Düsseldorf promises to host more Christmas Markets on 2017 than ever before while giving visitors the chance to have fun on it's large ice rink next to the Königsallee shopping avenue.
Düsseldorf will open its festive season on 23 November and the Christmas Market will be inviting visitors to the city centre with a large variety of Christmas worlds in different looks.
For the very first time the market has been extended beyond Christmas all the way up to 30 December and apart from this extension, the launch of the big ice rink on Corneliusplatz and the new Fairy Tale Market on Schadowplatz are two of the most important new features.
The children's programme has been expanded overall so that this year, for example, there will be a children's activities tent on Jan-Wellem-Platz with shows every day. The Christmas Market will remain closed on the Sunday of the Dead (26 November), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (24 and 25 December).
During the festive season, Düsseldorf will have lots of atmospheric new features. The ice rink has been relocated this year and will offer new activities.
At the northern end of Königsallee, directly adjacent to the Hofgarten and the Kö-Bogen, this year visitors will be able to enjoy a 1,700-square-meter ice rink on Corneliusplatz.
The skating fun will be enhanced by an extensive range of catering, with stalls set up around the rink. Right next door, the Christmas Market on Schadowplatz has been given a makeover.
The new motto this Christmas is "fairy tale market". Scenes from fairy stories adorn the roofs of the cabins which will also be decorated with illuminated Herrnhut stars. This market is very much focused on items for children.
Each of the motifs on display at the Märchenmarkt (Fairy Tale Market) – borrowed from famous German fairy stories by the Brothers Grimm – consists of three staggered elements that have been affixed to the roofs. This creates an impression of spatial depth and three-dimensionality for the viewer. Some parts of the silhouette cut-outs are movable and electrically-powered.
For the "Sterntaler" motif, the spherical starry sky rotates and fills the little girl's dress – which she is holding up like an apron – with stars falling from the sky. The moment at which Sleeping Beauty awakens after being kissed by the prince is also animated, as is Rumpelstiltskin, dancing around a glowing fire.
Visitors can of course also look forward to the classics of the Düsseldorf Christmas Market. Set against the backdrop of Düsseldorf's City Hall and with a historical feel, is the Artisans' Market. It's the perfect place to discover and admire hand-made items while enjoying a glass of mulled wine.
The "Engelchenmarkt" (Little Angels' Market) on Heinrich-Heine- Platz is adorned with small figures of angels and has a "heavenly atmosphere".
Other beautifully designed markets such as the "Sternchenmarkt" (Little Star Market) – idyllically located in the inner courtyard of Wilhelm Marx House at the Stadtbrückchen – or the cabins on Flinger Straße in the centre of the Altstadt (Old Town), reminiscent of Düsseldorf's old burgher houses, also offer a deliciously cosy mix of food, drink and shopping.
Directly beside the Rhine on Burgplatz, Düsseldorf visitors will be able to get a bird's eye view of the Christmas bustle: the lofty Wheel of Vision will be set up there again between October and January as a winter landmark, flanked by a number of food stalls.
Düsseldorf city centre will be offering the appealing mix of a stroll through the Christmas Market and shopping. Attractive shops combined with the festive mood will turn Düsseldorf into a truly great experience. It is now more than ever the case that shopping in Düsseldorf will fulfil every wish.
The Kö-Bogen has made Düsseldorf an even more interesting place to shop, while Königsallee stands for a very special kind of shopping. Big international brands such as Armani, Hermès, Bulgari, Gucci, Versace and Dior, as well as local retailers, will be presenting gift ideas in a festively atmospheric ambience.
On Schadowstraße visitors can enjoy a mix of major department stores and smaller retail outlets, where they will find the right gift for every taste. On the way to the Rhine, the Altstadt and Carlstadt are home to plenty of boutiques, some of which also sell fashion by local designers. Many fashion and jewellery designers have settled in the districts of Flingern and Bilk that directly adjoin the city centre.
Their shops, along with the little cafés and restaurants, make these the perfect places to browse, sample, relax and, of course, do lots of shopping. On Sunday, 10 December shops in the city centre will be open for gift shopping from 1pm to 6pm.
And what if your guests want to see even more of Düsseldorf and hear stories about Christmas and the city? Düsseldorf's Altstadt will be beautifully illuminated with thousands of lights, producing a highly atmospheric setting for a guided tour of the city. 3
The two-hour Christmas Guided Tour will offer many insights into Düsseldorf's Altstadt, as well as Christmas anecdotes. While the Düsseldorf Christmas Market is on, the tours start on Fridays at 4pm and Saturdays at 2pm, and end with Christmas cookies and a mulled wine or hot chocolate. Tours can be booked at www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/weihnachtsmarkt
Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH's Christmas Market hotel package will allow visitors to take it easy after their Advent stroll, giving them even more time for extensive sightseeing.
The package offers an overnight stay in a double room with breakfast from 65 euros per person. The hotel package is rounded off with a DüsseldorfCard, entitling the holder to free use of bus and rail during their stay, as well as many other discounts, and a Düsseldorf info pack with a travel guide.
Because it has numerous free parking spaces, Düsseldorf is perfectly prepared for coach tour operators. There are Christmas Market parking spaces in the Altstadt, guaranteeing that visitors don't have to go far to reach the markets.
There will be additional parking spaces at the exhibition centre grounds on each Saturday. From here, guests can pick up a free day ticket with which they can get to the city centre in just a few minutes on the U78 subway line.
You can book your parking space online in advance by going to www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/park This handy and convenient tool which also allows you to download and print your parking ticket, will help you to plan your trip to Düsseldorf perfectly. More information at www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/en/our-top-events/duesseldorf-christmas-market/
** Across the border in Belgium, there will be something special in Bruges during the festive period. However I'm not sure whether it's the piping hot waffles, magical Christmas markets lit up by twinkling fairy lights or real log fires in centuries old taverns…
Whatever it is, you can experience it with DFDS's festive break to Bruges. You can choose between the Dover-Dunkirk and Calais routes and sail in comfort. Both ports are close to Bruges with Dunkirk only a one hour drive away and Calais around two.
There is a choice of a three- or four-star hotel, both centrally located in the city and you can extend your trip for up to three nights in Bruges.
Prices start from only £96pp including return ferry crossing with a car and one night hotel stay with breakfast.


text:
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)
MnTC is a 40-credit liberal arts education that transfers between all Minnesota State colleges and universities.
There is no guarantee that general education courses from private and non-MnSCU colleges will satisfy MnTC goals. General education courses from private and non-MnSCU colleges are evaluated on an individual basis.
Transfer of Technical Credits
Transfer-in of technical credits will be considered for courses that have been completed within five years prior to application for admission to Anoka Tech. Students with technical courses which were completed more than five years prior to application may be able to use the Credit for Prior Learning process to demonstrate course content mastery and receive credit.
*Official transcript must be received in a sealed envelope with seal intact. Student copies and faxed transcripts are not considered official.
Anoka Technical College will consider:
Transfer Credits and Grades
The Minnesota State system is working to make the transfer process easier. Please plan ahead, ask questions and use pathways created by transfer agreements.
If you are transferring to another Minnesota State college or university, there is no fee for a transcript request .
Students should work with a counselor or advisor at the college or university they plan to transfer to.
For information about transferring to Anoka Technical College, visit transfer to Anoka Technical College.
Minnesota Transfer website is the official guide for seamless transfer in Minnesota Higher Education.
Transferology is a nation-wide network designed to help answer the question "Will my courses transfer?"
Enter coursework, exams, and/or military learning experiences, then discover in a single click how many schools in the Transferology network have matching courses that may be awarded when you transfer.
Schools are ranked by the percentage of coursework they accept in transfer, though you may focus the results with a number of handy filters and sorts, including how your courses transfer into a specific program at another college or university.
Details of how those courses will count are available with another click or two, and you can inform schools of your interest in transferring by asking about specific programs, campus visits, and/or coursework that has not yet been evaluated by the school.
Anoka Technical College Credit Transfer Policy 3.16
Anoka Technical College Credit for Prior Learning Policy 3.17
Records Office
Rm 104, East end of campus
Find Your Answer
Email us
Phone: 763-576-7740
Fax: 763-576-7721
Transcript Request Form
Appeal of Transfer Credit
Course Substitution Petition
Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Form
Anoka Tech Articulation Agreements
Military Credit Transfer
Transfer Action Plan


text:
Find great services & win great customers in Calgary.Sign up
Find great services & win great customers in Calgary.
To post a review on Who To Call you need to be a confirmed member - a real live human, 18 years or older who has agreed to the Who To Call Membership Agreement, Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Reviews must be based on a personal experience with a service provider who was hired by you, and reflect accurate, reliable, truthful information. To write the review, put yourself in the position of other Who To Call members trying to pick the best business to hire. What would they like to know?
Passionate opinions are great but we ask you to focus on sharing informative reviews without comments that are offensive. Provide feedback that will help other customers and give good solid insight to businesses. We will screen out offensive or fraudulent reviews and suspend members who attempt to post them.
You cannot post a review for a company if you are an owner, own an interest in, manage, or are an employee of that company. Likewise, company owners, managers and employees are not permitted to post reviews about other companies in the same service category.
Who To Call will remove reviews found to be fraudulent or suspicious and delete the user accounts associated. That will leave just us good guys, members who are acting constructively to enhance service in Calgary.


text:
Sean Franklin is gone, but now who starts at right back in 2014 for the LA Galaxy?
The frontrunner for the position is veteran A.J. DeLaGarza who started 10 of his 28 regular season league appearances at right back in 2013. This move would allow Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena to start Kofi Opare, Tommy Meyer or Leonardo alongside Omar Gonzalez at center back while Todd Dunivant remains a mainstay on the left-side of the defense.
Meanwhile, behind DeLaGarza is Homegrown defender Oscar Sorto who endured a mixed rookie season that saw him earn a place on the U.S. squad at the Under-20 World Cup and appear in two CONCACAF Champions League matches for the Galaxy. Although the 19-year-old defender was impressive during the U-20 World Cup, he admittedly endured uneven form throughout the season including a poor showing in LA's CCL group stage finale against Isidro Metapán in October. Heading into his second year as a professional, the Galaxy coaching staff will need Sorto to be more disciplined in training as he seeks to develop into a trusted backup behind DeLaGarza.
Regardless of what improvement that Sorto makes in the coming months, one would expect the Galaxy to use the MLS Re-Entry Draft or the 2014 MLS SuperDraft to bolster their right back depth.
Franklin's departure will also have an impact on the right side of the midfield for LA as Hector Jimenez and Robbie Rogers appear to be front-runners to start out wide. Each player had moments of success in 2013, but the Galaxy will need greater consistency on the right next season. If Arena is unable to get steady production out of these two players, he may opt to place Landon Donovan along the right and push a player like young forwards Jack McBean, Jose Villarreal or Gyasi Zardes up top alongside Robbie Keane.
Thoughts on these ideas?
Share them below.


text:
Why I Love and Hate Daylight Saving
Am I the only one who has a love-hate relationship with daylight saving time? Apparently the purpose of daylight saving time is to make better use of daylight. What if you're not a morning person? Then, doesn't that defeat the purpose of making use of your daylight hours, if you're sleeping through part of those daylight hours? Don't get me wrong, the time change isn't all bad. There is at least one good thing about daylight saving.
The extra hour of sleep I get every year is the best part of daylight saving. If you are a parent with small children, then you realize just how precious sleep is. Even if you're not a parent of small children, who couldn't use more sleep? I'm sure there are a few million teenagers out there that enjoyed an extra hour of sleep too. I mean, really, who couldn't use an extra hour of sleep? If anything, we should increase the extra hour of sleep to once a month, instead of once a year.
The worst part of daylight saving time is the fact that it gets dark earlier. One of the best things about living in Montana is how long the days are in the summer. It doesn't stay light out until 10 p.m. everywhere. I have spent a summer or two in the south and a few weeks of a summer in New Hampshire. I was surprised when it got dark at 8 p.m. in the middle of summer. It's very hard for me to adjust to it getting dark outside at 5 p.m., especially since I am a night owl.
Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of The University of Montana, animal lover and writer.


text:
Political and religious leaders in D.C., Maryland and Virginia reacted Wednesday in both support and opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions on same-same marriage.
The court ruled Wednesday morning to strike down the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and also permitted same-sex marriages to resume in California, which had ended after voters approved the state's Proposition 8 in 2008.
Read on to learn what local leaders and members of Congress had to say.
Local Supporters:
"For too long, same-sex married couples have been given second-class status by state laws and federal laws like DOMA," said Maryland's Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler. "Today... the Supreme Court has moved our nation one step closer to fulfilling the Constitution's promise of equal protection of the law. Now we must work together to write the next chapter -- achieving marriage equality in all 50 states."
The decision to strike down DOMA means that the federal government can recognize same-sex marriages, granting couples the right to Social Security survivor benefits, immigration rights, and federal family leave protection to same-sex couples in states where same-same marriage is legal, including the District of Columbia and Maryland.
"As Marylanders, and as Americans, we ultimately all want the same thing for our children: to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected equally under the law," said Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said.
Voters in Maryland made same-sex marriage in the state legal in November.
"Loving families across our great nation have been made whole today," said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).
"Scripture teaches us that God shows no partiality," said Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. "Today our country has moved closer to this vision of equality and unity, and I give thanks for our progress."
"The U.S. Supreme Court's decision today puts the court on the right side of history," said Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). "DOMA is unjust, un-American, and out of step with the values of our country. Our nation has a long history of fighting to overcome discrimination to secure civil rights for all citizens. I hope this decision gives momentum to efforts across the country to enshrine marriage equality into our laws."
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) released a statement saying: "Those of us who were in the Congress when DOMA was passed in 1996 heard in real time the prejudice against the LGBT community in speeches on the House floor and saw it in official documents that the Court could not ignore in reaching today's decision. Gay D.C. residents and others who were married here may well benefit disproportionately from today's decision, in part because of the large number of our residents who are federal employees."
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said in a release, "As Dr. King famously said, 'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice' -- and today's decisions help move us significantly further along that arc's trajectory toward full equality under the law."
"While a number of states and the District of Columbia have changed the legal definition of marriage, government is ultimately powerless to redefine human nature and what describes the exclusive and lifelong union of one man and one woman..." wrote Catholic Church leaders in a statement released by the Archdiocese of Washington. "They do not have the ability or authority to change created human nature. The archdiocese will continue to educate Catholics and the wider community about the truth of marriage as the union between one man and one woman."
Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said in a statement that "Virginia has followed the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman for more than 400 years... Today, the court's two decisions make clear that the rulings have no effect on Virginia Marriage Amendment or to any other Virginia law related to marriage. This office will defend challenges to the constitution and the laws of Virginia."
The National Black Church Initiative said, the "NBCI continues to love our gay brothers and sisters, and recognizes them as a vital part of the fabric of our democracy. However, the Black Church cannot, and will not, support gay marriage now or ever."
NBCI is a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches and 15.7 million African-American churchgoers.
Outside the Supreme Court, Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) said, "Every child deserves a mommy and a daddy, and with this decision they undercut the needs of our children."
Huelskamp told reporters he will file a constitutional amendment later this week to restore DOMA.
"I believe that marriage is a unique institution best defined as the union between one man and one woman," said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
During the House GOP leadership press conference, Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) said, "The Supreme Court appears to be in collusion with the President and his unjustice department."
- Supreme Court Hands Gay Marriage Historic Win
- Court's Rulings Don't Affect Va. Gay-Marriage Ban
- National Cathedral Service to Celebrate Gay Marriage
- WATCH: Obama Calls Prop 8 Plaintiffs During TV Interview
- Opponents Vow to Keep Up Fight Against Gay Marriage
- DOMA Ruling a Win for LGBT Immigration Rights Advocates
- Social Media Erupts Over Same-Sex Marriage Decisions
- VIDEO: DOMA: An Evolution of Opinion in the U.S.
- VIDEO: Local Reaction to DOMA, Prop 8 Rulings


text:
The CFX Team in Germany was recently approached by a customer faced with the need to deliver his products to an ever-increasing number of clients, in a limited delivery period (one night). At his disposal is a single delivery vehicle, and the propulsion for the delivery vehicle is fixed at 9 RP (Reindeer Power). Therefore, reduced aerodynamic drag could lead to significant increases in vehicle speed, and consequently allow delivery to be made in the required time.
Read Full Article


text:
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How Often Should You Go?
- What to Expect in the Office
- Common GYN Problems
- How to Prepare for Your GYN Care Appointment: A Checklist and Questions for Your Provider
For women living with HIV (HIV+), there are many aspects to staying healthy. You are off to a good start if you take your medications on schedule, eat well, and get regular physical activity. But to take care of your whole body, you need to get regular gynecologic (GYN) care from a health care provider. Gynecologic care refers to the diagnosis and treatment of issues affecting the female reproductive organs (also called the female genital tract).
How Often Should You Go?
It is very important for women living with HIV to have regular GYN visits and tests for cervical cancer. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that:
- Women living with HIV should have a complete gynecological examination, including a cervical screening test and a pelvic exam, when they are first diagnosed, and then another test six months later
- If both tests are normal, a repeat cervical screening test should be done every year
- Women living with HIV who have had dysplasia in the past should receive a cervical screening every six months
- Pregnant women living with HIV should have a cervical cancer screening test when they first seek prenatal care
- Women who were born with HIV (perinatally infected, or infected at birth) are more at risk of having high-risk types of HPV; therefore, cervical screening should start prior to age 21 if they are sexually active
You should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at the first visit. It is important to repeat these tests if you have a new partner or if you have unprotected sex.
What to Expect in the Office
Usually, your provider will begin by asking you about your sexual history. You will be asked about:
- Your current sex life
- The number and sex (male/female) of sexual partners in your past
- Whether you have ever been pregnant or had an abortion
- What kind of birth control you use, if any
- How you protect yourself and your partner(s) from sexually transmitted diseases
- How you protect yourself (and possibly your partner(s)) from a different strain of HIV
These questions can feel uncomfortable for both the provider and the patient. Even if it is hard for you, do the best you can to answer honestly. Your provider needs complete information to take good care of you.
After the interview, the provider will examine different parts of your body. Not all providers perform all the exams listed below in the same order. It is common for the provider to ask a member of the health care staff (usually a medical assistant or nurse) to join her/him in your room for the physical exams. This is for everyone's protection and to make sure the exams are performed in a professional manner.
Breast Exam
For the breast exam, the provider will ask you to lie back and raise one arm over your head as she or he feels with her/his hands for any lumps or masses in the breast on the side with your raised arm. The provider will then repeat this on the other side of your body, asking that you raise your other arm and feeling your other breast.
Pelvic Exam
For the pelvic exam, the provider will ask you to lie down and scoot your bottom to the end of the exam table. Then you will be asked to open your legs, bend your knees, and place your feet in the metal stirrups. Often, at this point, the provider will use her or his gloved fingers to examine the outside of your genitalia for any bumps, sores, or other problems. Next, your provider will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This instrument opens the walls of the vagina so that your cervix (the opening to the uterus) can be seen by the provider.
Then the provider will use a small brush or spatula to collect some cells from your cervix for the cervical screening test. The cells will be sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope to see if there are any abnormal cells (dysplasia). Additional tests will be done if abnormal cells are found. While the speculum is still inserted, the provider may also collect fluid to check for infections.
Because Pap tests require laboratories and people skilled in reading them, resource-limited countries offer different tests to screen for dysplasia and cervical cancer. One method is called visual inspection with acetic acid, or VIA. When using VIA, health care providers swab acetic acid (also known as vinegar) on the cervix and look directly at it to see if any areas need treatment. Other countries use human papilloma virus (HPV) tests, which test samples taken from your cervix for the presence of HPV's DNA (its genetic material).
Bimanual Exam
The bimanual exam is performed without a speculum. In this exam, the provider places two gloved fingers inside your vagina and places the other hand on your belly. He or she feels your ovaries and uterus between the hands and checks for any pain. The provider may also perform a rectal exam. During the rectal exam, the provider gently puts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any unusual bumps or sores. She or he may collect a small amount of stool to check for blood.
Many women find the pelvic and bimanual exam slightly uncomfortable and embarrassing. One reassuring thought is that the speculum is used for only two or three minutes, and the whole thing is usually over in less than five. And the more often you go, the easier it gets.
Anal Pap Smear
It is possible for women living with HIV to have anal dysplasia, which can lead to anal cancer. A rectal examination with an anal Pap smear is the best way to detect anal dysplasia. There are currently no official recommendations for anal pap smear screening among women living with HIV; however, some providers perform this exam due to the higher risk for anal cancer among people living with HIV. Similar to a cervical Pap smear, an anal Pap smear includes the insertion of a small swab into the anus to collect cells that are then sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope to see if there are any abnormal cells.
It is important to remember that at any point during the breast, pelvic, bimanual, or anal exams, you can ask your provider to tell you what she or he is doing as it is happening. Some women find this helps them relax more throughout the exam.
Common GYN Problems
Certain gynecologic conditions are more common, more serious, and/or more difficult to treat in HIV+ women than in HIV-negative women. If left untreated, some GYN infections can develop into more serious conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or cervical cancer.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
STDs, also know as STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are infections and diseases that are passed from person to person through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. While there are over 25 STDs, the most common ones are listed here and described in more detail in The Well Project's article on STDs:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Genital warts/human papillomavirus (HPV; for more information specifically on HPV, see our article on HPV)
- Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, or HAV; Hepatitis B, or HBV; Hepatitis C, or HCV)
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV; genital herpes)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Fungal Infections (Yeast Infections, Vaginal Candidiasis, Vaginitis)
Candidiasis is a very common vaginal infection caused by yeast (fungus). This fungus normally exists in the human body (including in the vagina) and lives in balance with helpful bacteria. When an imbalance occurs and the yeast overgrows, candidiasis occurs. Symptoms may include itching, burning, and pain around your vagina, vaginal lips, or anal area. You may also have a thick, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge. Women living with HIV often have repeated yeast infections that are difficult to treat. You are more likely to experience yeast-related problems if you:
- Have low CD4 cell counts
- Take antibiotics, steroids, or birth control pills
- Douche, wear tight underwear, or use scented soaps
- Do not finish the full course of yeast infection treatments, whether those treatments are prescription or over-the-counter
Treatments include:
- Over-the-counter creams like Monistat or Gyne-Lotrimin or prescription anti-fungal creams (women living with HIV often need longer courses of treatment). Make sure you choose something that says it is for curing vaginal yeast infections and is not only for helping with vaginal itching.
- Prescription oral antifungal drugs such as Nizoral (ketoconazole), Diflucan (fluconazole), or Sporanox (itraconazole) for difficult-to-treat infections. Many antifungal drugs interact with HIV drugs. Some of them are also not recommended for pregnant women. Make sure your health care provider knows what HIV drugs you are taking and whether you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
Prevention of Yeast Infections
If you think you may be likely to get vaginal fungal infections, there are some things you can do to help prevent them. First, you can drink milk that contains acidophilus or eat yogurt with active bacterial cultures. There are also over-the-counter acidophilus supplements you can take, but it is important to make sure you take one that has a high level of active cultures. Also, some foods or food ingredients can promote the growth of yeast. Nutritionists recommend that you avoid foods containing yeast, sugar, wheat, and caffeine. If you smoke or drink alcohol, you should be aware that alcohol and nicotine can also promote the growth of yeast. If you douche, you may consider limiting the frequency of douching or eliminating douching altogether. Douching reduces levels of helpful bacteria in the vagina and is not recommended. Lastly, because yeast grows best in moist areas, wearing looser-fitting pants or underwear can help prevent yeast infections. Cotton underwear breathes better than underwear made of polyester or nylon, and can also help minimize yeast growth.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID refers to inflammation in the upper genital, or female reproductive tract (which includes your ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.) PID is often caused by a number of common infections, including the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) gonorrhea and chlamydia. PID starts after these infections travel up from the vagina to other organs in the body, where they can cause serious damage and lead to infertility.
The most common symptoms of PID are lower belly pain, irregular menstrual cycles, vaginal bleeding when you are not having your period, vaginal discharge, and painful or frequent urinating. Women living with HIV who develop PID should be carefully followed by their health care providers since they may need to be hospitalized and treated with antibiotics.
Menstrual (Period) Problems
Many women living with HIV experience menstrual changes or irregularities. These changes to your menstrual cycle (or period) are less common if you have a high CD4 count and are taking HIV drugs. For more information on the types of menstrual changes women living with HIV experience and the effects of HIV and HIV drugs on women's periods, see The Well Project's article on Menstrual Changes.
Menopause usually occurs in women from 38 to 58 years of age because of natural changes in the body, including the ovaries making less estrogen. Symptoms of menopause include irregular periods (different in amount, frequency, or duration), hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Some studies have suggested that women living with HIV may experience menopause earlier than HIV-negative women. This may be due to one or more of many factors including anemia, decreased hormone production, illness, weight loss, effects of HIV drugs, effects of street drugs, or smoking.
For more information about menopause, its symptoms, and options for relieving those symptoms, see The Well Project's article on Menopause.
How to Prepare for Your GYN Care Appointment: A Checklist and Questions for Your Provider
There are many things you can do to make your appointment with your GYN provider a smoother, easier, and more helpful visit.
Preparing Your Body
To get the best results from the physical exam part of your visit, it is important to do the following:
- Make sure you will not have your period during your visit; it is best to schedule your exam for one to two weeks after your period
- Do not douche or use other vaginal preparations for two to three days before your exam
- Do not have vaginal sex or sexual intercourse for 24 hours before your exam
Preparing for Your Provider's Questions
Your GYN care provider will ask you several questions about your sexual and medical history. These questions are not meant to invade your privacy or criticize, but to gather important information to make good decisions about your health. It may be helpful to think about your answers before your appointment. Be prepared to answer the following questions:
- When did your last period begin?
- How long do your periods last?
- How often do they occur or how many days between periods?
- When did you have your last GYN exam (if you are seeing a new GYN provider)?
- Have you ever had any abnormal Pap smears or Pap test results in the past? If you have, your provider will likely ask you when you had those abnormal test results, what those results were, and what treatments you received. You may find it easiest to bring copies of the reports. If you do not have copies of the reports, bring your previous GYN provider's contact information so that your new provider can get your past medical records from your previous provider. You will likely be asked to sign a medical release form that gives your new provider permission to ask your previous provider for your medical records.
- Have you noticed any changes in your menstrual cycle or periods (in amount, frequency, or duration)?
- Have you noticed any vaginal discharge?
- Have you had any lower belly or pelvic pain?
- Have you noticed any blood after sex or between periods?
- What other drugs and medications are you taking (including your HIV drugs)? For each drug, be sure to write down the name, dose, number you take, and when you take it. If you are not sure about your list or you are running late, put all your medications in a bag and bring them to your appointment so your provider can see exactly what you are taking. Make sure you also tell your provider about any other treatments or remedies you are taking – over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamins, teas, etc.
Preparing Your Questions
Whether or not you feel comfortable going to your GYN appointment, it is important that you write out a list of questions you want to ask your health care provider. Many women find it difficult to remember to ask their questions given all that goes on during the visit: the exam room, the change of clothes, the physical exam itself, and all the questions the provider asks! This is your opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions about the health of your body, so be ready with your list.
Things you may wish to talk about with your GYN provider:
- Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, or HPV
- Questions about birth control and contraceptive use
- How to improve the safety and satisfaction of your sex life
- Menstrual irregularities (amount, frequency, duration)
- Urinary incontinence or frequency (leaking urine or feeling that you need to urinate often)
- How having been abused or assaulted (sexually or otherwise) in the past might affect your health now; while it may be a very uncomfortable thing to talk about, mentioning past trauma may help your provider better understand your symptoms and history and make a more accurate diagnosis
- Things you can do to maximize your GYN and overall health
- How you will communicate with your provider after your visit, including if and how your provider will let you know the results of your exam
If you have just had your GYN exam, congratulations! You have just done one of the most important things a woman living with HIV can do to keep herself healthy. Regular GYN exams and cervical cancer screenings are crucial to your health since many GYN conditions do not have obvious symptoms and can get worse without your realizing it. Finding and treating GYN conditions in the early stages can prevent them from becoming more serious conditions later.
If your health care provider is not skilled in GYN care, or you would rather see a specialist, ask for a referral to a GYN care provider who is experienced in treating women with HIV. If you receive GYN care from someone who is not your HIV provider, be sure that your HIV provider is aware of results from your Pap smear, other GYN tests, and any treatments you might be taking for GYN conditions.


text:
Certification: VCS Cluster Server
Certification Full Name: Veritas Certified Specialist Cluster Server
Certification Provider: Veritas
1 Product
Experience Test-King Veritas VCS-254 exam Q&A testing engine for yourself.
Simply submit your e-mail address below to get started with our interactive software demo of your Veritas VCS-254 exam.
This is a ONE TIME OFFER. You will never see this Again
Enter Your Email Address to Receive Your 15% OFF Discount Code Plus... Our Exclusive Weekly Deals


text:
|Head Coach
|Previous College:
|13 years
A four-time NEWMAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year, Carol Matsuzaki steered the Engineers to four consecutive NEWMAC Championship titles from 1999-02 and has led numerous individuals to appearances at the NCAA Championships. Following the 2006-07 season, she was named the Division III Northeast Region Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women's Coach of the Year. Currently the winningest coach in program history, Matsuzaki has compiled 136 victories in 12 seasons.
Hailing from Los Angeles, Calif., Matsuzaki came to MIT in 1991 majoring in Biology and Literature. She picked up the racket for the first time in a physical education class and steadily improved, making the varsity team where she was the No. 1 singles player her senior year. Matsuzaki captained the tennis team from 1994-96 and was the NEW 8 Player of the Year in 1995. In addition to varsity tennis, she played JV squash and was a member of the Tennis Club.
Upon graduation in 1996, Matsuzaki became the assistant coach for the Engineers until her appointment as head coach in the spring of 1998.
Matsuzaki received her graduate degree in Sports Psychology from Boston University in 1997. In 2004, she authored the book Tennis Fundamentals. Part of Human Kinetics' Sports Fundamentals series, Tennis Fundamentals teaches the basic skills and tactics to help readers participate in the sport quickly.


text:
If the Cubs can bottle this Spring pitching and take in North when they break camp they will be more than just an improved team in 2013. The pitching this afternoon was fantastic, and it all started with Edwin Jackson making not only his Spring debut, but his Cubs debut. Jackson was stellar, tossing two scoreless innings while pounding the strike zone. He surrendered two hits, didn't walk anyone and didn't strike out anyone, you have a defense behind you, use it! Drew Carpenter followed Jackson and was the eventual winning pitcher for the Cubs as he also went two innings giving up one run on two hits while walking one and striking out one. Chris Rusin, Zach Putnam, and Nick Struck combined to closed out the final five innings for the victory. Both Rusin and Struck went two innings, Struck picked up the save giving up one run on two hits, while striking out one. The Cubs didn't knock out too many hits on the day (6) but they made them count as they were able to push across four runs. Christian Villanueva got the Cubs on the board in the third inning with a solo home run off of Jorge De La Rosa. Dave Sappelt had a strong day at the plate going 2-for-2 with a home run of his own, an RBI, and he scored two runs. Starlin Castro doubled, Javier Baez and Logan Watkins rounded out the hits for the Cubs, and Baez recorded his first stolen base as well.
Thanks for reading,
– George


text:
Since 1999/00, and I won't include the tours of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, not that I don't consider them to be worthy of Test status, but really nobody could expect much out of them anyway. Also it is Tests only.
I always considered the West Indies team that toured in 00/01 to be a shocking team, now before Liam Camps jumps in, I'm not saying that the all players were bad, but their performances as a team left a lot to be desired. Courtney Walsh was on his last legs as a bowler, and they were just so comprehensively, admittely that Australian team was one of the best ever. Not much can be said of the team that toured in the 05/06 season either.
But the Pakistan team in their most recent Test series against Australia is almost ready to take the cake, that was a pretty weak, spineless effort, and whatever match performance payments they might be on, they would of been overpaid. They have a Test standard bowling attack (Asif, Aamer, Gul, Kaneria, and Sami can be good, depending which Sami turns up which is not often), some decent batters, a great young prospect (Umer Akmal), but they just could not do the basics right (from fielding to running between the wickets), and not playing as a team either, team unity, what is that? They were outplayed in Melbourne and Hobart and by rights should of won in Sydney, but they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Of course a certain Ashes Tour in 06/07 by a certain team in the Northern Hemisphere wasn't particulary good either. Hey Harmison, landing the ball on the pitch helps.


text:
With Gutierrez out, Mariners lack righty outfield bats
Club's hole becomes more glaring after Gold Glove winner opts for restricted list
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Franklin Gutierrez's decision to go on the restricted list Thursday instead of dealing with another year of battling his lingering health issues opened a roster spot for the Mariners, but left the club short on right-handed-hitting outfielders.
That situation already was a question, which is why the Mariners continue to be regarded as a potential landing spot for free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz. But manager Lloyd McClendon refused to push any alarm bells Friday when asked what changes now that Gutierrez has chosen not to report.
"It's really not a lot of adjusting to do," McClendon said. "I've never had him. I understand that he's been hurt for quite some time for health reasons. I always anticipate the worst when it comes to these things, so I'm not really thrown for a loop with this one. We have some viable candidates and Jack [Zduriencik] will continue to look for other viable candidates and we'll continue to move forward."
The Mariners are heavy on left-handed-hitting outfielders, with Michael Saunders, Dustin Ackley and young prospects Xavier Avery, James Jones and Julio Morban fitting that role, and Logan Morrison adding to the mix if his knees are healthy enough to allow him to play more than first base.
Abraham Almonte is a switch-hitter who showed some speed and power last year as a September call-up, while free-agent signees Corey Hart and Willie Bloomquist and prospect Stefan Romero are the only pure right-handed hitters in the mix.
And Hart is coming off a pair of microfracture knee surgeries after sitting out all of last season, Bloomquist is regarded as a utility player and Romero really only began playing the outfield last season in Triple-A Tacoma after being drafted as a second baseman.
If Hart can play significant time in the outfield, it would alleviate much of the issue. But the former Brewers slugger isn't likely to be ready for that sort of running on an everyday basis. Thus, Gutierrez factored into the mix as at least a part-time solution until he informed the club his health remained a problem.
Gutierrez, 30, played in just 173 of the team's 486 games over the past three years due to a host of health issues. The 2010 American League Gold Glove Award winner became a free agent after his four-year, $19-million contract expired last year, but re-signed with Seattle in December for $1 million with a potential $2 million more in incentives. That contract is now voided by his decision to go on the restricted list.
Gutierrez was diagnosed with an inflammatory condition called ankylosing spondylitis last season and was optimistic that medication was helping him deal better with hip and joint issues, as well as the digestive problems that had hindered him. But with those problems returning, he chose this week to step away from the game for now.
"I talked to him," said Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, one of Gutierrez's friends on the team. "He's just trying to figure out what's best for his body, so he can't play. He needs to get healthy. He's frustrated."
Saunders, who played alongside Gutierrez in the outfield for the past four seasons, said the first priority is for his teammate to solve his medical concerns.
"Obviously people are familiar with the situation the last couple years," Saunders said. "It's a shame, because he's such a talented ballplayer, a great person and an incredible teammate. At this point, it sounds like it's not just about baseball, it's about getting his health back.
"The main thing is staying healthy for his wife, Vivian, and [son], Xavier, now. Baseball is so small and insignificant in the scheme of things. If he has to take 2014 off to get his health back, then the Mariners are behind him.
"He's got a lot of outlets here, a lot of friends that he can call and talk to. We're going to all miss him for what he can do on the field and what he brings to the clubhouse, but mainly our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family."
Though Gutierrez was one of baseball's premier defensive center fielders, the Mariners moved him to right field last year in an attempt to reduce the wear on his body. That figured to be the initial plan again, but his absence now magnifies the battle for center field time.
Saunders can play any of the outfield positions, but he is the most experienced center fielder, having started 229 games there in his career and 69 last year. Ackley started 46 games in center last year after transitioning from second base in midseason, but could also play left field.
Almonte, 24, started 11 games in center for Seattle last September and played the majority of his time at that position while coming up in the Minors with the Yankees, who traded him to Seattle for Shawn Kelley a year ago.
Avery, 24, was acquired from the Orioles for Michael Morse last August and projects as a center fielder. He played 32 games for Baltimore in 2012, but spent all of last year in the Minors. Jones, 25, and Morban, 22, have played some center in their Minor League careers, but more in right field and both were primarily in Double-A last year.
Saunders lost out on playing time to Ackley in center in the final months last year, but said he's eager to let it fly this spring and see what happens.
"With the new coaching staff, it's kind of a clean slate," he said. "We have a lot of guys capable of playing two or three positions. As an athlete, you thrive off that kind of competition.
"We're all going to feed off each other's energy. It's kind of 'May the best man win.' Competition is good and it's healthy for the team and I think everything will figure itself out. The people most deserving of starting roles will show it this spring."


text:
Literary Reference Center Plus
- Coverage Dates: 1912 - present (full text); 1912 - present (abstracting and indexing)
Literary Reference Center Plus is a full-text database that combines information from major respected reference works, books, and literary journals as well as original content from EBSCO Publishing. Literary Reference Center includes thousands of plot summaries, synopses, and work overviews; articles of literary criticism; author biographies; full text of over 430 literary journals; book reviews; classic and contemporary poems and short stories; full text of over 7,000 classic novels; author interviews; and images of key literary figures. Reference sources include:
- Beacham's Research Guide to Biography and Criticism (six volumes)
- The Columbia Companion to the 20th Century American Short Story
- Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature
- Continuum Encyclopedia of British Literature
- Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
- The Literary Encyclopedia
- The complete MagillOnLiterature Plus
- Merriam Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature
- The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics
- The Oxford Illustrated History of English Literature
- Journals in this Database: EBSCO Title Lists
- Database Provider: EBSCO Publishing, Inc.
- Database Tutorial: Literary Reference Center User Guide
- Database Tutorial: Literary Reference Center Research Guide
- Database Handout: Promotional Poster (Word)
- Database Tutorial: Literary Reference Center Video Tutorial (YouTube)
Express Link (bookmark): http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=zblr


text:
|Instrument: CPI : Cloud Particle Imager
Instrument Category:
Earth Remote Sensing Instruments
Instrument Class: Passive Remote Sensing
Instrument Type: Photon/Optical Detectors
Instrument Subtype: Cameras
Related Data Sets
View all records related to this instrument
The Cloud Particle Imager (CPI):
CPIs sold to NASA, NCAR, University of Washington, University of
North Dakota,
Canadian Meteorological Society, University of Manchester
CPIs operated in several field campaigns including: NASA TRMM,
NASA EOS, NASA CAMEX, NSF SHEBA, NSF Antarctica Program,
NCAR/FAA MWISP, DOE ARM, Canadian Atlantic Storms Project, Canadian,
Freezing, Drizzle Experiment, Alliance Icing Research Study,NSF Cloud
Study, Australian Emerald Project
High-resolution (2.3 micron pixel size) digital images of
particles recorded as particles pass through the sample volume
at speeds up to 200 m/s.
Real time image processing crops particle images, eliminating
blank space and compressing data by >1000:1 ? Data analysis
software automatically classifies ice crystal habits and
separates water drops from ice particles.
Additional information available at
[Summary: SPECinc]


text:
Hello all! I realize it's been quite awhile since I last wrote here but there are a...
Hello all! I realize it's been quite awhile since I last wrote here but there are a couple end of year things I want to let you know about.
Christmas Tree Recycling and Food Drive
Date: 1/5/13–1/6/13
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Sponsored by the Town of Henrietta and Friends of Tinker Nature Park
Annual Christmas Tree Recycling and Food Drive for the Rush-Henrietta Area Food Terminal. Trees can be dropped off at Tinker Nature Park at the Calkins Rd. Parking Lot behind the barns. Please remove all plastic bags and no wire wreathes. Please bring a non-perishable food donation when dropping off tree. Mulch from recycled trees is used to maintain the nature trail at Tinker Nature Park. Chipper service donated by B&T Tree Service. For more information contact Tim Pratt (585)359-7044
Town of Henrietta Family New Years Eve Party
Come and have some family fun ringing in the New Year at the Town of Henrietta Family New Years Eve Party at the Fair & Expo Center, 2695 East Henrietta Road on Monday, December 31st from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. More Details.
Admission is $5.00; children under 2 yrs. free. Tickets are available at the Henrietta Recreation Department or by mail at Henrietta Recreation Department, 475 Calkins Road, Henrietta, NY 14467. Tickets are also available at the door.
Donations of a nonperishable food item for the Henrietta Food Cupboard are appreciated.For more information call the Recreation Dept. at 359-2540 or check our website at www.henrietta.org .
Finally, I'd like to say thank you to those of you who have read this blog throughout the years. Although I may not have been a diligent blogger I've enjoyed writing for you. I hope that someone among you might be interested in taking the reins and writing about the great town we live in; I look forward to reading all about it.


text:
02-26-2013, 22:45
So the wife told me that I should go camping and that March 9th and 10th is an open weekend. Who am I to argue, she said go camp, so I'll go camp. Since I missed the last overnighter at the 501 Shelter I figured why not plan another one. It'll give me a chance to try my HH Clone.


text:
Men's Citizen Watch
$195.00 $156.00
In Stock | STYLE: 001-525-01142
Available on Next Open Business Day
ECO-DRIVE RD BLK DIAL W/DATE GREEN ACCENTS $195.00*Prices are subject to change based on fluctuations in metal prices and currencies
Citizen brings world class design and cutting edge technological innovation. Citizen Eco-Drive watches harness the power of light from any natural or artificial light source and converts it into energy so your watch never needs a battery.
Starting at $69.99
General Details:
Available on Next Open Business Day


text:
8221 Greenwood Avenue N
98103 Seattle
+1 206-632-4488
You have not selected any products. To do this, use the Compare product icon on our product pages.
The following products are listed on your notepad.
Loading Dealer Options
An error has occurred. Please refresh the page.
Select Dealer Categories:
Select Action:
Choose partnership:


text:
Just to get this on the record: Tom Daley is a really, really good-looking man. He certainly is a good diver, and we don't mean to belittle our own divers (Daley is a Brit), but secretly, we are sad he didn't medal — we'd love to see more of him ... way more of him.
So, it appears that the Olympic broadcasters are giving us what we want, turning his post-dive shower into something that makes us need a (cold) shower, as well. A conveniently placed scoreboard obscures, erm, Daley's most sensitive area — which, to be honest, isn't all that hidden, thanks to a skimpy Speedo. But, when taken out of context, as done by these eagle-eyed Olympic watchers, Daley looks like he's giving a much more salacious show.
Remember that scene in When Harry Met Sally when Harry confesses, "Had my dream again where I'm making love, and the Olympic judges are watching. I'd nailed the compulsories, so this is it, the finals. I got a 9.8 from the Canadians, a perfect 10 from the Americans, and my mother, disguised as an East German judge, gave me a 5.6. Must have been the dismount." Somehow this feels oddly reminiscent, though we're sure there would be 10s all around. Check out our slideshow...in an order that we think makes sense, if you get our meaning. (Buzzfeed)


text:
The Open Group, a vendor- and technology-neutral consortium focused on open standards and global interoperability, has announced the availability of two new industry standards -- the Open Group Service Integration Maturity Model (OSIMM) and SOA Governance Framework.
OSIMM will provide a maturity model for advancing the adoption of SOA and Cloud Computing within and across businesses. OSIMM leverages proven best practices within the industry, helping IT practitioners create a roadmap for their incremental adoption of SOA and Cloud Computing. Additionally, the model will help organizations achieve advanced levels of service integration that are specifically in line with their unique migration path and business goals. The first version of the OSIMM Technical Standard is available for download here.
The SOA Governance Framework is a guide for organizations to apply proven governance standards that will accelerate service-oriented architecture success rates. The SOA Governance Framework was developed by The Open Group SOA Work Group to ensure enterprises can benefit from proven best practices without having to invest in developing a framework of their own, thereby reducing the overall risk associated with SOA. The SOA Governance Framework is available immediately, free of charge here.