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If you're tired of the same, generic strap that comes with your camera, here's a quick fix. I found this easy peasy tutorial, over at Free People, on how you can make your own camera strap from, say, a scarf or any fabric with your favorite pattern on it! A nice way of spicing up the boring black strap while at the same time, showing a bit of your personality and creativity.
There's tons of ways you can personalize your camera strap. There's the use of metal chains, woven fabric and even bits of leather from your old boots! I liked this one because this is the most uncomplicated (haha) process and it doesn't involve any kind of sewing (hurrah).
What you'll need:
A lightweight, small summer scarf (cut it to preferred size so that the camera would fall on the desired spot)
A patch of leather
A hot glue gun
A pair of scissors
2 D-rings
2 lanyard hooks
1. Fold your leather as pictured.
2-3. With a marker, draw a D-shape right on top of the fold
4. Cut out the shape, making sure that the shape is connected in the middle, right where the fold is. You will need two of these, for each end of the strap.
5. Gather the scarf ends slightly together to create a narrow width that will fit into the leather shape.
6. Place the gathered ends on the leather to see if the fit in place. Place the D-ring so the longest side is married to the fold.
7. Fold over to make sure everything fits together well.
8. With the hot glue gun, glue the center of the leather patch.
8. With the hot glue gun, glue the center of the leather patch.
10. Glue all the way around the leather patch
11. Press the two sides together, trapping the gathered end inside like a sandwich.
14. And finally, place onto your camera and see the transformation!
You're now ready to shoot away! If you're a master crafter, here are 11 other suggestions on how to personalize your camera straps.


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Quantel Laser releases 3W visible Fiber Laser in multiple wavelengths
High Reliability Laser Targets Bio-Instrumentation Applications.
16 June 2015 Back
The laser will be displayed for the first time at the LASER World of PHOTONICS trade fair in Munich, Germany from June 22-25, 2015.
Lasers have been valued for biological applications for a number of years, due to the specific interaction between the laser radiation and the targeted biological samples. For example, laser light at 577 nm is favored for a number of ophthalmic applications as it closely matches the peak absorption of hemoglobin but is transmitted easily through other ocular media. In addition, lasers have played an important role in dramatically increased the speed in which researchers can sequence genes. Using laser sources to illuminate fluorescently tagged DNA and RNA samples, scientists are able to quickly and accurately map genetic sequences.
As these, and other, biological applications proliferate, there is an increasing need for highly reliable and stable laser sources that are as easy to operate as a light bulb.
The ELBA builds on Quantel's proven fiber laser heritage (thousands of units fielded) using telecom-grade components to deliver up to 3W of visible TEM00 output in a maintenance-free package specifically designed to be integrated into bioinstrumentation. The exceptional beam quality (M2 < 1.1) enables efficient fiber delivery without the losses seen by other sources. The system is CE and FDA certified for use in medical devices and includes redundant electronic shutter, monitoring photodiode, electronic emission and power level signals.
"Instrument manufacturers, whether in the bio space or not, are looking for state-of-the-art lasers that are as robust and reliable as the instruments they build." said Alex Biasi, Product Line Manager for Fiber Lasers at Quantel. "They often need different wavelengths to target specific applications and they want maintenance-free devices that are simple to integrate into their systems."
"As you may know, Quantel has a division focused on the design and manufacture of ophthalmic instrumentation," said David Pureur, General Manager of Fiber Lasers at Quantel. "This gives our laser design team great insight into what is needed of the ideal laser source for many of these biomedical applications. And our heritage of producing highly reliable, telecom-grade systems is a perfect fit for these applications."
Key features
- Up to 3W power visible and 10 W IR
- Any wavelength from 530 to 577, 635 to 665, 770 to 790, 1060 to 1154 and 1550 to 1570 nm
- Exceptional Beam Quality. TEM00; M2 < 1.1
- Integrated Control Electronics and safety features
- Maintenance Free Operation
- CE and FDA certified
The ELBA, along with Quantel's entire line of lasers including compact, industrial, pulsed nanosecond lasers, fiber lasers, laser diode stacks and tunable laser solutions will be showcased at the LASER World of PHOTONICS Trade Fair in Munich, Germany from June 22-25, 2015. Quantel is located in Hall B3 at Booth 179.
Additional Resources
ELBA-M laser webpage: http://www.quantel-laser.com/de/produkte/item/elba-m-.html
ELBA-C laser webpage: http://www.quantel-laser.com/de/produkte/item/elba-.html

subset: commoncrawl


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I don't really like to speak about my kids online…. But I just wanted to post some of my 15 year olds pics that she has taken over the course of being here. She has been in a high school, where she majors in photography and film making, and she has done phenomenally well. I thought I would showcase some of her stuff. Go here to her gallery.
4 thoughts on "Plug for my daughter"
Hi Candy
Nothing wrong to share your love and admiration for your talented daughter and I am sure your other kids are also talented in their own way. Micaeli did a beautiful job and I can see how much she loves her family and Israel it brought the best out in her. Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom from a similar wet place called Vancouver where rain is the norm and sunshine sporadic nrrrr I know Israel needs the rain to survive so let it rain for now so the crops will be plentiful in spring and summer.
Big warm embracing
Ps we will be off to Santiago de chile next week Wednesday to spoil our youngest grandchild already 15 months how time flies.
Sent from my iPhone


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Amigo Comics
God Of Bad Men (2019) No.1 (Cover A Zero)
Amigo Comics
Raymond Landy, an alcoholic with a crumbling screenwriting career and an inoperable brain tumor, meets inmate Makro Nomac, a space fugitive, at a maximum security asylum. Makro insists Ray's tumor contains the origin of God. That's when things take a turn for the worse; Ray learns his tumor is a malfunctioning data bullet placed there by Makro and he has...


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Changes to the Bulgarian Religious Law as of 01.01.2019: A Step Backwards from Freedom of Religion and Conscience
- Details
- Written by Viktor Kostov
Protest of evangelical Christians in late December 2018 against the restrictive proposal for changes in the nation's religious law. The sign reads: The Law on Religions Does Not Guarantee National Security (Photo courtesy of the website: actualno.com).
Law for the Amendment and Supplements on Law on Religions, State Gazette, nos. 108 of 29.12.2018, enacted as of 01.01.2019 - A Step Backwards from Freedom of Religion and Conscience
The Law for the Amendments to the Religious Denominations Act (LASLR, adopted in 2002, last amended and supplemented as of 29.12.2018) was published in the State Gazette and entered into law as of January 1, 2019. A detailed analysis and comments are forthcoming. The law was hastily voted in right before the end of the year by the Bulgarian parliament, after months of opposition, letters of concern by foreign officials, organizations and individuals, and street protests and prayer vigils by protestant-evangelical churches.
Our conclusion, quite briefly, is that the vast majority of the most restrictive, utterly totalitarian texts were not accepted in the final version.* This is an extremely important achievement for free civil society and the human rights activists involved, including the evangelical churches and all the religious denominations. Problematic texts, however, do exist in the newly adopted amendments.
Reasons for concern are the provisions that require religious denominations to maintain a registry of their clergymen and provide this to the public authorities for review. This requirement is reminiscent of the Communist Denominations Act, which required the maintenance of such registers to control and exert pressure on ministers and preachers related to their convictions and sermons.
It is also problematic that the state mandates as to how priests and clergy should legitimize themselves in order to represent the respective religious denominations they serve. The "representative power" is a part of the internal organization of religions and cannot be governed by the State under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Guidelines for the Adoption of Religious Legislation adopted by the Venice Commission and the Office for Democracy and Human Rights at the OSCE.
There is another purely communist-Nazi style approach to control and discriminate against foreign clergymen. This is the requirement to notify the state if a non-Bulgarian clergy member participates in a worship service. Foreign clergymen can participate in the worship service "after the Directorate on Religions has been notified. When "participation" means to be "present during worship," then only the mere presence of an individual is sufficient to apply this administrative burdensome requirement. Registered religious denominations will first have to notify the state and then admit the foreign clergyman to the worship service. If there is no such notification, in order to comply with this law, the foreign clergyman must listen to the worship service outside of the building where it is held. Such provisions establish unlawful discrimination on multiple grounds and are adopted in violation of the Protection against Discrimination Act (religion and national origin).
The administrative burden for religious denominations has increased giving religious denominations only seven days after their registration to file the decision for registration by the court with the Directorate on Religions. In an age of "e-government", the seeming inability for communication between the Sofia City Court and the Council of Ministers to provide this information as a part of the internal information exchange between government bodies is only an excuse for further harassment of the religious communities that register as religious denominations.
The strange requirement to not use a sound system in open-air religious activities is formulated in a rather vague and confusing fashion but has managed to be entered into the new law.
Under a typical state-political model, so-called "big denominations" will receive a subsidy by the state. But funding seems to be the smallest problem of all the adopted changes - although it is absurd for taxpayers to be charged a tax to fund religious beliefs that they do not share (as is the practice with political parties).
It is yet to be established what action is to be taken by the denominations and by the Protestant churches in view of the restrictive texts adopted in the LASLR 2018. Despite the victory won for freedom of religion due to exclusion of the most extreme proposals in these amendments by the legislature, the remaining restrictive texts adopted into law are a retreat from the principles of freedom of conscience and religion in a democratic and free society. They are an expression of a totalitarian and discriminatory state attitude towards religion and freedom of expression and are in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The full text (in Bulgarian) of the law can be found here, and here in PDF format with the underlined changed text in it.
*Note: Our group, Freedom for All, actively opposed the bill, as we were representing 12 evangelical-protestant denominations. Briefly our contribution was that we entered a Declaration on May 28 into parliament, a petition supporting the Declaration of almost 10,000 people worldwide, in November, published a 15-page legal Analysis of the bills, and participated in workgroup meetings at the commission on religions and human rights in parliament, and in a number of TV shows denouncing the philosophy of the bill and its specific restrictive provisions. We also filed an application to request the Venice Commission opinion addressing it to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on behalf of the 12 denominations; our thanks go to ADF Europe for their excellent counsel and help with the application.
The Draft Law for Amendments on the Law on Religions -- A Threat to Freedom of Religion and Democracy in Bulgaria
- Details
- Written by Viktor Kostov
Above: Explaining the threat of the new religious law amendments in a Bulgarian Christian Television talk show
Watch the show on Facebook here.
Update: Analysis of the bills in English added on Nov. 11, 2018. See links at the end.
During the first half of May, the BSP (Bulgarian Socialist Party), GERB (Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria) and MRF (Movement for Rights and Freedoms) parliamentary groups, as a unified group of sponsors, and separately the coalition of nationalist parties, the United Patriots, submitted draft amendments to the Law on Religions.
In October, despite the clear, critical, and united opposition to the totalitarian bill by all faiths in the country, and by our human rights organization, the parliamentarian Commision on Religions and Human Rights (leading) voted for the bill without any hindrances, and the proposal was submitted for voting in entered the plenary session. On October 11 the National Assembly also voted "for" the bill at first reading, accepting the draft law in principle, without any particular debates.
On October 19, 2018, with a report by the leading committee, the two projects were brought together into a single one.
After November 16, 2018, when the extra-parliamentarian discussion on the proposal will be exhausted, there is a serious risk that the draft will be voted at the second reading and become enforceable legislation. Such will still be contrary to the Constitution, international law and the principles of freedom and democracy.
If the Parliament does not listen to the voice of reason, the higher laws guaranteeing the basic human rights, and the piling criticisms against the proposal, this totalitarian and anti-Christian law will come into effect.
We unambiguously and categorically oppose the introduction of tyrannical and totalitarian measures against fundamental and inalienable human rights and freedoms, aimed primarily at limiting religious belief and its public preaching, sharing, and practicing.
In order to prevent the passage of these unapologetically tyrannical bills into law, on May 28, 2018, together with the National Alliance "United God's Churches", we submitted a protest declaration to the National Assembly, whose text is fully published here. Twelve evangelical-Protestant faiths and religious communities joined the declaration. The declaration was slightly amended on 1.11.2018 to reflect current developments.
On October 18, we published an Analysis of draft laws to further critique the anti-democratic and anti-constitutional and anti-democratic nature of the project.
Tens of evangelical-protestant denominations are planning to exercise their right to a peaceful protest before parliament on Nov. 11, 2018, to express their disagreement with the anti-religious draft law.
Link to the text of the Declaration in English, with the possibility to sign the petition in support. First drafted on May 28, 2018, updated on November 1, 2018.
Memorandum by Alliance Defending Freedom Europe submitted to the Bulgarian Parliament, regarding the proposed bill, explaining the European Convention and Cases Defending Freedom of Religion before the European Court of Human Rights
The proposed bill in English with highlights of problematic areas
Eminent Constitutional Crisis Introduced by Bills Restricting Fundamental Human and Religious Rights
- Details
- Written by Viktor Kostov
Back in May of 2018, two draconian antireligious bills were introduced to the Bulgarian legislature for the third year in a row. After the bills received critical opinions from all the major religious denominations in the country, on October 4 the leading committee in the Bulgarian parliament held a hearing with the participation of the bills' sponsors and these religious representatives. Freedom for All also took part as a human rights and religious freedom group, as well as represented two evangelical-Protestant denominations. Below is the English translation of our report from the meeting.
Meeting of the Parliamentary Commission on Religious Denominations and Human Rights Regarding the Two Draft Amendments and Supplements to the Religious Denominations Act
Last Thursday, October 4, 2018, the leading Committee on Religions and Human Rights held a meeting in the National Assembly on the two draft amendments to the Religious Denominations Act.
Present at the meeting were nine of the regular members of the commission, as well as representatives of most of the religious communities: the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), the Roman Catholic Church, the Muslim faith, and the United Evangelical Churches. Freedom for All, our human rights and religious freedom group, attended and represented the Protestant-Evangelical Christian denominations of the National Alliance of United Churches of God (NAUCG) and the National Christian Center (NCC), as well as its own position.
Our general assessment is that the fate of these bills is questionable. The Commission ultimately voted for both bills to enter the plenary session and have their first reading before the Parliament. This means that the possibility of a crisis of a constitutional magnitude in which the freedoms of conscience, faith, speech, and other human rights becoming extremely limited by a new law are very real.
Only Freedom for All held the position that the Commission should not allow the proposed laws to be allowed to enter the plenary discussion of the Assembly because of their extreme anti-democratic and anti-constitutional character.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Vice-President of the Commission, Mr. Vassil Antonov, said that the BSP (Bulgarian Socialists) party will not be supporting the bills in the event of a vote, which includes the bill they co-sponsored along with the MRF (Movement for Rights and Freedoms, the "Turkish Party") and GERB (the largest party, a compilation of socialists, quasi-right wingers, opportunists). A representative of ATAKA, which is part of the United Patriots party, and a sponsor of the second bill, also expressed his general opposition to the bills.
A representative of the sponsors from the three big parties, Mr. Tsonev from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, and representatives of the United Patriots, briefly motivated their bills by offering only cosmetic changes. Both bills continue to overwhelmingly restrict views on freedom of religion.
On the part of the denominations, the opposition and criticism of the bills was almost unified, categorical and on many of the major points, overlapped. Criticisms focused on the fact that national security issues are not resolved by limiting the rights of believers and religions; that donations should not be controlled and limited by the state through extraordinary and/or special laws, but by general laws already in place; that the right to preach cannot be subject to an authorization by the state; that the preparation of preachers and clergymen is absurdly subject to state control agencies that are not competent to grasp the essence of the religious education of a particular religion; and that faith is not a national phenomenon and the state cannot restrict international contacts and communities because of their religious beliefs.
The position of the BOC, considered to be the largest religious denomination in the country, was impressive because it stood against the excessive interference of the "Religions" Directorate in the internal affairs of the church (respectively the denominations), which, even under communism, was not as significant as it is envisaged in these bills. This position is also impressive because to date, in the public discussion of religious (or rather anti-religious) bills, the BOC has not taken a firm position, perhaps because of the state's patronage, which is not the case here. That is, the BOC in its position defended not only its own interests (it relies on state protectionism) but took a stand that is principled and favors Christian religious freedom from excessive state interference.
Of course, it remains unclear to what extent the BOC supports the freedom of religious denominations from having to be registered and the registration of other Orthodox faiths in Bulgaria. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, despite its disagreement with the bills, insisted that the currently registered (179 according to the Committee Chair, Mr. Velchev) denominations are far too many.
The position of Freedom for All and NEAFC and NHS is that bills must not be admitted into the legislation of the country because they are written in a totalitarian and intolerant spirit against all believers, threaten the constitutional order in the country, discriminate based on religion and, if they become law, will be in violation of the Bulgarian Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, international law and the principles of a democratic and free society. We advocate that these bills do not reach the Chamber of Deputies at all because of their incompatibility with Bulgarian traditions of religious tolerance and the principles of democracy. We also took the position that the Bulgarian constitutional state is secular and not atheistic, as the spirit of the two laws implies. The secular state is neutral in terms of faith and ideology, the atheist state promotes atheism and attacks religious views.
Our position, on all the other points, largely coincides with the views and criticisms of other denominations, disagreeing with the position expressed by some attendants and the committee chairman that the number of registered denominations should be limited. Such restrictions are neither necessary nor somehow helpful to the quoted reason for the need for these restrictions, "because the denominations are exempt from taxes", so they have been acting in bad faith as such. This argument is unsubstantiated.
The sponsors of the bills agreed that if there is any draft law on religious denominations and amendments, they should be subjected to a careful and thorough public discussion as it is a complex and delicate matter, which is our position on the approach to religious law in general.
The bills were voted to be considered by the Parliament at this first reading by the Commission under Art. 43 (Rules of the National Assembly). In the discussion there were no opinions about the categorical rejection of the bills so that the projects would not make it to the floor discussion (plenary), which we expected and on which we insisted (as mentioned above). Setting up working groups with the participation of the Commission, to generate discussions on the bills before the second reading, with the hope that such extremely restrictive and dangerous bills could be rebuilt into something good, in our opinion, is an impossible task. Despite the vote to proceed head, the fate of the bills remains unclear because of the extremely restrictive and totalitarian approach to their writing by all religious communities, including the BOC and the disagreement with them even by some of the sponsors (BSP in this case).
In his closing remarks, the Vice-President of the Commission stated that the current Religious Denomination Act, although not perfect, is good and effective in contemporary society and should not be re-written with hasty amendments and additions.
We also believe that writing new laws, especially anti-democratic ones, does not solve problems, but rather creates new ones which we reiterated also in private conversation after the meeting with some members of the Commission.
In view of the outcome of the meeting, we believe that there is still uncertainty about the freedom of belief in Bulgaria. This is due to the present possibility of voting in a draft amendment to the Law on Religions which is contrary to the principles of a free and democratic society.
In this regard Freedom for All and the evangelical-Protestant communities NAOBTS (NAUCG) and NHTS (NCC) and the unregistered religious community Christian Mission Center will continue to monitor the process concerning freedom of belief and expression and its legislative treatment in order to protect basic human rights and freedoms for our communities and for churches and believers throughout the country.
Viktor Kostov, Ph.D.
missiologist, lawyer
* Freedom for All is our human rights, missionary, and publishing group of lawyers and missionaries acting in defense of the Christian faith in the public square.
- Details
- Written by Viktor Kostov, PhD
According to statistics from the European Court of Human Rights Bulgaria holds second place in losing cases based on complaints of violations of Art. 9 of the European Convention. Art. 9 protects freedom of religion and conscience. With an 83% rate of cases lost, Bulgaria ranks behind Turkey and Russia. The conclusion can only be that the state and its officials have no intention of learning and beginning to respect one of the most basic human rights, the one that sustains democracy -- freedom of religion and conscience.
Immediately after the success of GERB (Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria) and BSP (Bulgarian Socialist Party, former communists) in the early elections, held at the end of March, there was yet another attack by Bulgarians authorities against the fundamental rights and freedoms of believers. The tenacity with which Bulgarian rulers want to eliminate the free functioning of basic human rights in the country is remarkable.
Exactly one year ago we had the ill-fated bills by Kadiev and BSP amending the Law on Religious Confession (LRC), which had the intent to practically eradicate freedom of religion in Bulgaria. About two weeks ago we had a new prosed bill that could have been a copy-pasted version of the bills of 2016! On April 3, 2017, the Ministry of Justice (MJ) published on its website a Draft Law on the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship (formerly downloadable from the website of the Ministry of Justice here, in Bulgarian).
This time, however, to avoid the charge of the political and ideological motivation of the project, the proposed draconian restriction of basic human rights in the sphere of faith, expression, association, and assembly came from the Ministry of Justice rather than a socialist or another political faction. It later became clear that the bill was proposed by the newly elected president of the republic of Bulgaria – Rumen Radev (Fall of 2016). The Bulgarian president is a rather ceremonial position, as the country follows the parliamentary republic model of government. Thus, the president has no legislative initiative under the constitution. However, Mr. Radev had no reservations about circumventing his lack of powers and putting the Ministry of Justice as a front for his project. It comes as no surprise that Mr. Radev, and independent presidential candidate during the campaign was endorsed and supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
The draft for amendments of the LRC was covertly introduced as a part of a Draft Law for Amends on the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship. The public outcry came after the draft law was published on the MJ website. However, the negative reaction came from the Bulgarian voters who live abroad that to whom the bill effectively denies the right to vote. The media picked up the scandal and the bill was hastily pulled from the internet. A mid-level government lawyer was fired for posting the draft law on the web. He spoke to the media and told in detail how the president of Bulgaria had a meeting with MJ officials and insisted that the law would be introduced without delay.
In an article the Wall Street Journal[1] claims that President Radev was the choice of Mr. Vladimir Putin for a Bulgarian president. Radev's campaign for the presidency was supported by Kornelia Ninova, the chairwoman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, formerly the communist party. She had met with a former KGB officer to discuss Radev's candidacy for the position of president, states the WSJ article. When exposed to Bulgarian media she first lied about meeting the Russian negotiator, then when she was faced with the facts, stated that nothing important had been discussed at the meeting. Radev was elected president soon after these events which unfolded in the summer of 2016.
Then we have an attempt of the new president to legislate by introducing a draft law which almost verbatim repeated the anti-religious bills of 2016. One may even argue that under Art. 103 of the Bulgarian Constitution Radev has violated his constitutional duties by acting as a legislative agent.
Read more: New Legislative Initiative against Freedom of Religion and a Russian Spy Saga in Bulgaria


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How Can I Improve My Skin Tone And Texture? This is a very common problem particularly for people who have sun damaged skin. But what is the answer? This week on Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today, your show host, Edmonton cosmetic dermatologist Dr Barry Lycka welcomes fellow Canadian dermatologist Dr Lisa Kellett from her practise in Toronto. Dr Kellett is an expert on improving the tone and texture of the skin, and today she shares her step by step process with us. The 2 doctors talk about the skin problems caused by sun exposure and sun damage, and how important it is to use a sunscreen every day. They discuss other skin problems and then move onto facial rejuvenation and treatment options to improve skin tone and texture, particularly the different types of laser treatment available these days. If you want your skin to look and feel much better, this is half an hour worth listening to!
Download the Show Notes here for the detailed content of this interview in PDF format.


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Soil water dynamics, physical properties and corn and wheat responses to minimum and no-tillage systems in the southern Pampas of Argentina
Fabrizzi, K.P.
Garcia, F.O.
Costa, J.L.
Picone, L.I.
MetadataShow full item record
The purpose of this study was to assess how minimum tillage (chisel plow and disking) and zero tillage, with and without nitrogen fertilization, affect soil temperature, compaction, soil water storage, and crop yields. The two tillage systems were evaluated on a productive soil in the southeastern region of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina.


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Meet Our Managers
Janet Burns has been with University Family Medicine Center, PA since the office opened. She moved to Florida from Ohio for Dr. Burns to complete his residency. The rest is history! Janet is a physical therapist by training but enjoys working in the family practice at this time. Janet enjoys biking, running and spending time with their 5 kids on the weekends.
Please feel free to email Janet with any needs from our practice. firstname.lastname@example.com
Meet our office manager: Alicia has been with UFMC for over 10 years.
She has added impeccable leadership to our team!
"I enjoy volunteering, traveling, taking/editing photos, and most important..encouraging and sharing the love of God with others."
Christina manages our billing, insurance, and collections. She loves attending the billing needs of our patients, and can answer all of your financial questions concerning UFMC financial policies and your insurance plan. She is cross trained in different areas of our office, and would love to help assists you with all of your financial and healthcare needs.
Meet Our Office Team
Crystal is our referral coordinator. She works inside of our business office working hand and hand with specialists here in Central Florida to coordinate care for all our patient's needs. She's also in charge of medical records and she works as liaison between the specialist and the patient. She's a graduate from UCF with a degree in Health Sciences Pre-Clinical and minored in Sociology. To add even more to the list of her accomplishments, she's also a licensed EMT and is currently earning her nursing degree!
Johana is one of our newest opening front staff member here at UFMC. She is a UCF graduate with a degree in Health Sciences Pre-Clinical and a License Pharmacy Tech. She is expanding her horizons in healthcare by providing the best front staff service to our patients. She has plenty of patient care experience and is currently earning her nursing degree. Help us welcome her to our team with a warm smile.
La'Draysha is another one of our newest team members. She is currently attending UCF to obtain a degree in Health Administration. Go Knights! She brings a lot of customer care experience into the healthcare world and we are excited to welcome her to the team!
Reghan is our file clerk in the office. She is a UCF Knight, obtaining a degree in Occupational Therapy! She's the one in charge of pulling your chart for every appointment you make, while also making sure all of your information is prepared for your office visit with the providers. In addition, she personally organizes your chart in the office accordingly to make sure the office remains structured for the patient's privacy.


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Swiss German University offers a various range of scholarship for undergraduate program. The scholarship program covering development fee and semester fee with amount up to 100% from semester 1 to semester 8.
Scholarship awards can be based on a variety of criteria including academic and non-academic achievement, entrance test score result, parent profession, and sibling benefit. Before you apply for a scholarship, please read the criteria and eligibility requirements for each scholarship carefully and pay close attention to the application deadlines. You may also read the required document for admission here.
The SGU decision on granting or not granting the award/scholarship is final and no further discussion will be entered into once the decision is made.


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A new setting, but the same old story for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Over the past seven seasons, the striker has played for four different clubs – Ajax, Juventus, Internazionale and Barcelona – but always with the same outcome: his teams have invariably finished as domestic champions. His latest employers, Milan, are without a Serie A title since 2004, but as they prepare to take on Tottenham in the Champions League they find themselves three points clear at the top of the table.
It is a situation that would have been hard to envisage in late August, when the Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani touched down in Barcelona joking that he was more likely to return with "a young Brigitte Bardot" than a striker who had cost the Spanish champions €45m (£38m) plus Samuel Eto'o a year before.
Milan had finished 12 points behind the champions, Inter, in 2010 and were thought to be suffering cashflow problems, with their most significant signing of the summer having been Kevin-Prince Boateng on loan.
Within days, however, Ibrahimovic was boarding a plane back to Milan, Barcelona having decided to cut their losses on a player who was costing them close to €10m a year in wages and had fallen out with their manager Pep Guardiola. "[Milan] have given me my smile back," announced the striker after joining on a loan deal that will be made permanent next summer.
It did not take long for him to start repaying the favour, scoring both Milan's goals in his second game for the club – a 2-0 Champions League group stage win over Auxerre.
More followed, not that anyone should have been surprised. Over those previous seven title-winning seasons, Ibrahimovic had scored 112 goals in 212 league games, and even in a supposedly disappointing year at Barcelona had managed a highly creditable 16 in 29. So far this season he has 13 in 23 Serie A fixtures, plus a further four in six Champions League games.
That, though, is just the tip of the iceberg. The striker had been furious while at Barcelona to hear the former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi suggest he was a "great soloist" but as such "not suited" to a harmonious orchestra like that of the Catalans. He seems determined at Milan to prove he can be a team player – in the league alone he has contributed 10 assists. "I don't know what will happen at Milan this season," reflected Galliani in November. "But I understand now why Inter, Juventus and Ajax won all those trophies."
The Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri was moved to declare last month that Ibrahimovic is "the best that we've ever seen him" – high praise indeed given José Mourinho was already prepared to call him "the best in the world" when at Inter in 2009. But if Tottenham were looking for encouragement then they would not have to look beyond the fact that just a few weeks after Mourinho made his statement, Inter and Ibrahimovic were knocked out of the Champions League.
Pointing out that Ibrahimovic has rarely played his best football on this stage is hardly a novel insight but that does not make it less valid. Of the nine goals he scored in 41 Champions League appearances for Juventus and Inter, not one arrived in the knockout stage. Not once, indeed, did Inter reach a quarter-final with Ibrahimovic leading the line. The year he left, they won the tournament.
That last statement is facile, ignoring the arrival of players such as Wesley Sneijder, Eto'o and Diego Milito, as well as other circumstances, but it will nevertheless dog Ibrahimovic until he can prove himself in the tournament's latter stages. A brace against Arsenal in last year's quarter-final ought to have gone some way towards that end but was undermined by the fact he should fall out of favour at Barcelona so soon after.
But while Milan look to the Swede they do not rely on him entirely. When Inter lost to Manchester United in 2009 Ibrahimovic was the only member of their squad with more than five goals to his name.
At Milan Alexandre Pato and last summer's other high-profile signing, Robinho, each have nine. With Antonio Cassano cup-tied, it is expected that Pato will partner Ibrahimovic against Tottenham, with Robinho on the bench.
As well as scoring goals themselves, the simple presence of Pato and Robinho two can help lighten the sense of duty felt by Ibrahimovic – a player who often seemed weighed down at Inter by the knowledge that he alone was supposed to provide the team with inspiration.
Relieved of that burden of responsibility, Milan hope he can help to write an even better story than before.


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Book Spotlight + Guest Post: Never Forget by Richard Davis
This is our stop during the blog tour for Never Forget by Richard Davis. This blog tour was organized by Davis' publicity team and runs from February 20 – March 5, 2017.
ashley | Last year, author Richard Davis reached out to me with his book False Prophet. I really liked Davis' written voice and ended up quite enjoying the book, so when his team reached out to me to take part in the blog tour for the follow up book, Never Forget, I was happy to do a little spotlight and guest post to help promote the book, which I fully intend to read and review as soon as I have a chance.
Information about the Book
Title: Never Again (Saul Marshall #2)
Author: Richard Davis
Release Date: 20th February 2017
Genre: Crime
Publisher: Canelo
Format: ebook
Since Richard has already listed his five favourite crime and thriller novels on a different blog during this blog tour, he instead provided us with his five favourite authors that don't exclusively write in that genre.
Jorge Luis Borges
Flann O'Brien
John Wyndham
Elizabeth Bishop
Edgar Allan Poe
We want to thank Richard for his guest post! Check back soon for my review of Never Forget.


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Today's fast paced business world requires smarter, faster and more secure communication. Instant two-way communication improves productivity and provides superior customer service. Business two-way radios are designed for retail, manufacturing and warehouse environments and allow employees to instantly, easily and discreetly communicate in the workplace.
DecisionPoint offers a variety of Motorola Business Two-Way Radio models that provide instant two-way communication at the push of a button. From daily use in retail environments, to withstanding daily industrial use and abuse, DecisionPoint has the model for your business. For more information about specific benefits that two-way radios can provide and the industries they're designed for, visit DecisionPoint's Two-Way Radio page. Click Here to learn more about what makes Motorola Business Two-Way Radios #1 in many markets.


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Homelessness is real. It's still a worldwide issue, and as much present on our own UK streets as anywhere else. And you might be shocked by the numbers of young people included in the high volume of individuals without a place to call home.
In Sarah Carroll's fab new book 'The Girl In Between' the protagonist seeks refuge with her ma in an abandoned mill. It's safe. A dream. But not for long.
Here's some facts about homeless youth that might help you see it more clearly:
1. It's practically impossible to find 100% accurate numbers because there's no way to record every single homeless youth. But there are over 35000 homeless young people in using sheltered or specially created accommodation at any one time.
2. Homelessness is not simply living rough on the streets or somewhere outside. It also include sofa-surfing and staying in hostels.
3. According to Shelter, 57% of of young people assisted by the Centrepoint service are from BAME origin.
4. Young people who have to share a room by the age of 12 are three times more likely to become homeless.
9 photos that will show you what teen life is really like in a refugee camp
See what happened when this group put stickers on everyday items made by refugees
5. 40% of rural districts have no emergency accommodation at all for young people and 70% of rural local authorities use bed and breakfast accommodation to house young homeless people.
6. Many young homeless people find it incredibly hard to continue studies or to find work due to unstable and inappropriate housing and address history.
7. If you are under 18 the national minimum wage is currently £4.05. If you worked a 40 hour week you would take home roughly £648 a month. If you are by yourself and cannot seek other help through the government benefit system then it's almost impossible to get by.
8. Young homeless people are more likely to contract infectious diseases, have poor mental health, and generally have a deteriorated state of wellbeing. A study found 70% of young homeless people had been diagnosed with depression or other mental health disorders, or had concerns about their mental health.
9. The 2002 Homelessness Act does state that 16-17 year olds are a priority for housing, if individuals know where to access these services.
To find out more, plus ways you can help, visit the Shelter website or Centrepoint.
Plus, if you want your own copy of 'The Girl In Between' by Sarah Carroll then clicky here.


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Cody Tubman, a cross-dressing ((Some people are calling him transgender… whatever that means.)) boy in Middleborough High School in Massachussetts, was recently voted "prom queen" at his school's annual year-ending pageant of teenage awkwardness. Though it may very well have been the case that he really was the only queen at his school, I view this decision as an injustice. Forget, if you can for a moment, the absurd moral debasement here. That part of this charade can hardly surprise us at this point. For this article, I am interested in this "crowning" as a symptom of egalitarianism and its attending celebration of mediocrity.
Unless Middleborough is home to the ugliest most unwinsome girls in all the universe and for all time, there is no way Mr. Prom Queen got that crown legitimately. I've seen pictures and heard interviews, and he is like, a very like, homely girl. He did not deserve to win. What the idiots at his high school have done to him is frankly dishonest and patronizing. It would be better for Cody if his parents and teachers and peers told him the truth: "You are a boy, not a girl, and you need to learn how to be the best boy you can be. You're in high school now. It's well beyond time to stop playing dress up."
But they can't do that. They don't want to be called insensitive. They patted themselves on the back when they sent Cody Tubman out in the emperor's new gender, and now we're all supposed to praise Cody's courage and feminine charm or we're "intolerant" (which is worse than being a fool apparently). Well, sorry. But I don't play that mess. I'm sure Cody is the least qualified, least feminine prom queen in the history of Middleborough, and I don't understand why it's helpful to him to say otherwise.
Do you think the other girls at that high school who weren't chosen feel bad? Before you answer too hastily, they probably do not. They would if they felt like they had lost a competition to him. But I'm sure they recognize that the choice was a political or social statement, which means that it didn't need to conform to the standards of reality. At all. It is precisely because Cody could not compete as a girl that the other girls don't feel bad. They look down on him, in other words. They do not see him as an equal. If they viewed him as a real peer, they would all be just as catty and unsupportive toward him as they were to the last prom queen… you know, the one who had the looks and charm to steal their boyfriends. Political correctness is so nauseating.
There are truths parents and guardians used to understand, and they didn't try to hide these truths from children. Things like: "The world doesn't revolve around you… If you pity yourself, you'll be the only one who does… There's no such thing as a free lunch… Nothing good comes from idleness and wishful thinking… Not everyone can be king (or president… or queen)… Girls will be girls, and boys will be boys…" You know, good old salty wisdom. This wisdom is lost to our gritless and witless generation. Somewhere along the way, we failed to realize that Disney princess stories aren't real. And aside from being morally degrading, telling a cross-dressing boy that he's actually the most charming girl in school is just cruel.


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my mind is /
a big hunk of irrevocable nothing which touch and taste and smell /
and hearing and sight keep hitting and chipping with sharp fatal /
tools /
in an agony of sensual chisels i perform squirms of chrome and ex /
-ecute strides of cobalt /
nevertheless i /
feel that i cleverly am being altered that i slightly am becoming /
something a little different, in fact /
myself /
hereupon helpless i utter lilac shrieks and scarlet bellowings.
ee cummings
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Making a Change
This post is prompted by the fact that I wake up this morning in a very unusual frame of mind. School is over. I have invested the last five years finishing a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree. In fact, the last two years have found me consumed by classes with no more than a one to two-week breaks between terms. Daunting at times, yes, but this became my norm. What do I do now? Where do I go from here? The fact that I awake to a day and even a week where I have no assignments due, no assessments to prepare for leaves a strange feeling. Almost a feeling of nothing.
Of course, nothing may be a misnomer. I must continue my job search. The reason I returned to school those years ago was in preparation for a job transition. Something that was terrifying then, and remains not so comfortable now. I have invested over twenty-five years in healthcare. Now I have made the decision–along with my wife–to change direction, set a new course. In truth, I am chasing a dream. A dream to not only become a published writer but to also share my love of the craft with students in the classroom.
Lunacy or Sanity?
I am not alone. There are hundreds and thousands of individuals today who are making the decision to change course after what many would consider a life-long career. They walk away to pursue something new. Sometimes it may be to chase a dream, other times it may simply be to seek a change because after twenty or thirty years they have all but burned out.
Many of you will look at me and these other individuals as crazy. Why jump ship after so long? That is a question not easily answered and one which actually prompts us to seek a change, to begin with.
Those who regularly follow my blog know that I have tried to make a return to another of my loves–hiking and more recently backpacking. My family has renewed our quest to get back to nature for our own sanity and well being–finding a peace in the storm and chaos of the everyday world. Nature like Cataract Falls in the picture above. These falls are a prime example of finding solitude. This is actually where my wife and I married and we return here on a regular basis reminded of that day. I would not even call the trip a hike, it is more of a short walk. The falls lie unknown to many no more than half-a-mile behind the Sugarlands visitors center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The walk is level and easy but when you reach those falls, they are always magical. The cascading water whether trickling after a dry spell or flowing freely from each rocky transition washes away thoughts of everyday life. The falls leave behind a fresh and renewed feeling or sense of being.
This reminded me also of the testimonies of many thru-hikers who have checked out of the real world for a time to complete long-range hikes like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or Continental Divide Trail. Most if not all of these individuals talk about being dissatisfied with where they are whether on a personal level, professional level, or both. They eject from the "real" world to find themselves and return with a new perspective on life.
But Why?
But you still haven't answered the question, why does anyone walk away from life to chase this dream? I have spent some time considering the possible answers. I'm not sure that there is indeed an answer that will suit everyone. At least in my case, I believe it came down to making mistakes in motivation.
Everyone wants to be successful and for most this is measured in monetary wealth. I understand now how wrong this idea is, but coming fresh out of high school was another story. I had spent a couple years approaching high school graduation listening to teachers, advisors, recruiters, and parents push the idea of what field I wanted to pursue in college. What vocation did I want to choose? I had no clue, I had no concept of the ramifications of the choice even. Instead of taking the idea seriously, consulting God on what path I should allow Him to lead me on, I began looking for careers which could give me the quickest return monetarily with the least investment in time spent in education.
I ended up, after changing my mind a couple of times and wasting my first two years of college with a full scholarship, in healthcare as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Don't get me wrong, I loved the job. Loved meeting people–my patients and their families. But two things happened. First, I went from a broke high school and college student to suddenly making a very large salary. I had no idea how to manage it, quickly wasted it, and now have nothing to show for that career other than lessons learned. Second, I had those nagging thoughts in the back of my mind that kept saying, "What if?"
Never Too Late
Those of you who share my faith know that God has a way of getting a hold of you eventually. After twenty years, He led me back to school and blest me with a supportive family which allowed me to finish my degrees. Where am I going now? I have no idea, but I do know that I am trying to be more mindful of where God wants me to go. I will take the paths He lays before me and continue along them until He shows me where to turn. Sure some days the outcome looks bleak, and at the end of the day, I question this decision. He always responds to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep trusting and following.
In a way, that is why these words are bleeding onto the screen. I know I'm not alone. My family is on this journey with me. But I also know that there are more of you traveling similar paths. You need to know that you are not alone. You may question your direction every day, but you just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep on the course. In the end, it will be worth it. That may not be today, tomorrow, or even next week. But that day is coming. The day when you will leap from the chaos and scream, "I have arrived."
- 2Shares


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2016 have gone and passed and though it's been a hit and miss for big budget blockbuster movies, no doubt the year has given us some of the most memorable movies to date.
Counting down is my personal top 10 movies of the year, this list is purely subjective and it's not an official list of any sort.
10. The Witch
Coming at number 10 is The Witch, this haunting movie gave me the creeps when I watched it. From the gloomy look to the sound design to the characters it's a very creepy movie and it's one that puts shivers down your spine.
9. Deadpool
Coming in at number 9 is the Merc with the Mouth, Deadpool. Boy am I glad that this film did great. From the jokes to the characters this movie is incredibly funny and solidifies Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. It revitalized his career and without a doubt revitalized the property.
8. Kubo and The Two Strings
Number 8 is one I was really excited to watch and glad to say I really liked. Kubo and the Two Strings, the stop motion animation was jaw droppingly incredible. The voice acting was great as well as the mythology. Laika studios should be proud of this movie as it is one of the better animations to come out this year.
7. Star Wars: Rogue One
Number 7 is Rogue One A Star Wars Story, I appreciated this film with the tone it took. With darker tone and more serious characters this broke off from the original movies and gave it it's own personality. The 3rd act of this movie was an intense edge of your seat moment and every Star Wars fan should check it out.
6. Dr. Strange
Number 6 is a superhero movie, Dr Strange. Much like Deadpool this is another origin story but an extremely effective one. The mind bending visuals gave me a unique viewing experience and not to mention that Benedict Cumberbatch depicted Dr Stephen Strange perfectly.
5. Nocturnal Animals
Nocturnal Animals comes in at number 5 and what a great movie this is. The story within a story format worked really well and it's very tense. All four leads were great in their roles especially Aaron Taylor Johnson. This is an incredibly strong thriller and one that's worth checking out.
4. The Wailing (Goksung)
Number 4 is a Korean horror movie, The Wailing. This movie is amazing, it's got horror, drama and mix in a little bit of mystery and you got this gem. The mythology they used to craft such a gripping story is awesome. One of the better foreign movies this year and it's definitely worth checking out.
3. La La Land
Number 3 is La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle. La La Land is a musical that features Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. This movie is beautiful, from the music to the look to the dance numbers everything about this movie is near perfect. Definitely one of the best movies of the year.
2. Captain America: Civil War
Adapted from one of the most successful storylines in the comics, Civil War pits Captain America and Iron Man against each other as their different ideologies clash as well as their fists. This is a dream come true for fans who loved the Civil War series and to finally see it depicted in the big screen is incredible. The Russos did a masterful job in adapting the storyline and it makes me want to look forward to their next project.
1. Your Name (Kimi no na wa)
Coming in at number 1 and my personal favourite movie of the year is Your Name. Makoto Shinkai has done it again with his gut wrenching romance and story telling. The animation on this film is gorgeous, the music accompanies the film very well and our two leads are great. The body swapping story worked really well and was executed perfectly.
So there you go my top 10 films of 2016. There are other great movies that came out this year. Movies such as Arrival, Green Room, Zootopia, Moana and the list goes on but these 10 movies are my personal favourites. Let me know if you agree with me tell what are yours in the comment section below. Thank You for taking the time to read this and until next time!!


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Message from the Director General
(15 February 2010)
Welcome to ICIMOD's International Year of Biodiversity website!
Biodiversity is vital for sustaining life on earth. Its exploitation and loss have reached an alarming rate threatening nature's capacity to continue providing global ecosystem goods and services. Globalisation and climate change are further aggravating the loss of biodiversity, particularly in ecologically rich mountain systems, home to biodiversity hotspots, like the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH), putting regional environmental security and mountain livelihoods at risk.
The year 2010 has been declared as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness about the value of biodiversity, communicate the human costs, and get people involved in efforts to conserve and use sustainably our natural and cultural heritage. ICIMOD as a regional knowledge centre and intergovernmental organisation, serving eight countries in the HKH region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan), with its partners, joins hands with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for the cause of the IYB.
The HKH region is enormously rich in biodiversity. The natural resources serve more than 200 million people living in the mountains, help support a further 1.3 billion people living in the downstream river basins, and contribute significantly to global goods and services. The region includes all or part of four of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots (Himalayan, Indo-Burman, Mountains of South-West China, and Mountains of Central Asia), 6 UNESCO natural heritage sites, 330 Important Bird Areas, 60 ecoregions (including 30 critical ecoregions and 12 global 200 ecoregions), 29 Ramsar sites, 488 protected areas and 53 Important Plant Areas. The biodiversity includes approximately 25,000 angiosperm species, 75,000 insect species, 1200 bird species, and also the wild relatives of much of the agro-biodiversity.
ICIMOD has adopted CBD's ecosystem approach for managing biodiversity and we are promoting regional cooperation to support this. Our programme focuses on protecting and/or restoring mountain biodiversity by adopting a landscape approach in transboundary areas; promoting the development of biodiversity corridors between protected areas; supporting the conservation and management of wetlands for maintaining hydrological, biodiversity and cultural services; building institutional capacity and promoting transfer of appropriate technologies for mitigating negative impacts on mountain ecosystems; promoting innovative livelihood options for mountain communities through livelihood diversification and pro poor value chain interventions; building the capacity of local communities for documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge and innovations; and promoting 'Access and Benefit Sharing' through policy innovations.
Recently ICIMOD has ventured into developing a 'trans-Himalayan transect' approach to facilitate long-term monitoring of climatological, ecological, and socioeconomic variables. This information will help our understanding of the impact of climate change and other factors on biodiversity, and facilitate efforts to increase ecological resilience and support adaptation by society through enhanced ecosystem services, improved livelihood systems, and disaster risk management. Our new approach includes developing reward mechanisms for the provision of ecosystem services by mountain communities, particularly by engaging in carbon financing and other innovations.
Climate change has created a new awareness of the importance of biodiversity. In mountain systems like the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, this also means new opportunities. On the occasion of the International Year of Biodiversity, we want to emphasise both conservation and management of biodiversity for the benefit of resilient mountain communities and the heritage of mankind.
The IYB theme Biodiversity is life Biodiversity is our life reminds us of the significance of the variety of life forms on earth for our lives. ICIMOD is observing the year with a focus on creating awareness of the need to reduce biodiversity loss and safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth for present and future human wellbeing. We will celebrate IYB with various activities to raise awareness in the HKH region, and also by contributing to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) process through various programmes during the CBD SBSTTA-14 and COP 10.
Conserving biodiversity and assuring continuous ecosystem services for the lives on Earth is our responsibility and ICIMOD is committed to it!
ICIMOD calls for everyone's contributions to the cause of IYB in whatever form possible so that we make a difference.


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"Sangria" stands in my Etsy shop full of surrealism and color. The terracotta tone woman with blue hair thinks nothing of the raven that flew in the door. Why should she, after all, she's got a house inside a house, evergreen trees shaped like arrows and large sunflowers coming from who knows where. The painting is full of life, full of color and texture. And yes, I decided to wear her, too.
I've said it before, but I really wish to drive home the point that when looking at a stranger you can't see on their face what they are going through in their skin. The purpose of putting my art on my face is to be that obvious, to say loud and clear that Lupus and Fibromyalgia can rot from the inside out. Art is one of the major tools I use to manage life with an "invisible illness".
You don't start seeing real signs of illness until the person collapses and finds himself/herself in the hospital with baffled family and friends. She looked okay. She looked "normal" What happened? Lupus. Fibromyalgia. One of the illnesses listed as "invisible".
Invisible no more. Sangria - My Face My Art .
"Sangria" was created by layering heated crayon and Crayola markers. She is an 8x10 gem on heavy paper. She's signed, sealed and mounted on black board. She's ready to be shipped.
The updated Etsy gallery includes three black and white sketches. Two Zentangle, one dream and one surreal scramble of PTSD symptoms such as hypervigilance.
A. August


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Event detail
Developmental Psychology Colloquium
Colloquium | March 19 | 12:10-1:30 p.m. | 3105 Tolman Hall
Yuan Meng, Department of Psychology; Ruthee Foushee, Department of Psychology
Yuan Meng : Childrens Causal Interventions Combine Discrimination and Confirmation
Like scientists, children can design "experiments" to distinguish between causal structures, but their performance often falls short of information-theoretic metrics such as the expected information gain (EIG). Such deviation may have resulted from mixing normative discriminatory strategies such as maximizing EIG with confirmatory strategies such as the positive test strategy (PTS). In one experiment, 39 5- to 7-year-olds intervened on a three-node causal system to identify its correct structure from two possibilities. Their intervention choices were better fit by a model that considered both EIG and PTS compared to alternative models that only considered a single strategy or selected interventions at random. The findings suggest that childrens causal intervention strategy may be a combination of discrimination and confirmation. In ongoing and future work, I am looking at whether the weight of EIG may change as result of different prompts (explain vs. report intervention choices) or the nature of the effects (positive vs. negative).
Ruthe Foushee: Learning to Learn in Language Development
While there has been much research focused on what counts as effective input in language development, fewer studies focus on the role of the learner herself in filtering the language input she is exposed to and in adapting to her environment. I will discuss two studies, one planned and one ongoing, that explore how children direct their attention to and make use of the language around them. One study asks whether children discriminate different levels of linguistic complexity, and select the appropriate level for their own learning, and the other investigates how classroom socialization might influence children's learning from overheard language.


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Coaches RegistrationUpdated Thursday September 20, 2018 by NASC Softball.
Coaches are the backbone of our organization. We are looking for volunteers to coach and assist coach our softball programs. We know everyone is busy, but could you be the one to step up and help a team of kids learn sportsmanship, have fun and play softball? You don't have to have a child in the program to coach, just need to be willing to dedicate a couple nights a week and laugh and have fun with the kids. (All coaches must pass a background check). We really need the help. Please consider and volunteer. If you need any more info please feel free to email: email@example.com


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|Doctor Death
First issue cover
|Publication information
|Dell Magazines
|First appearance
|Created by
|In-story information
|Alter ego
Doctor Death was the title of a short-lived pulp science fiction magazine published by Dell Magazines in 1935, as well as the name of the main character featured in that magazine. An earlier, somewhat different, version of Doctor Death appeared in the magazine's predecessor All Detective Magazine.
YouTube Encyclopedic
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✪ Hunting the Black Death
✪ Does Death Exist? New Theory Says 'No'
✪ Science Journalism: Crash Course Statistics #11
First Doctor Death
The character of Doctor Death first appeared in a short story "Doctor Death" in the July 1934 issue of All Detective. That first story was written by Edward P. Norris, who went on to produce three more Doctor Death stories: "Cargo of Death", "Death's I.O.U." and "Thirteen Pearls", which appeared in the September 1934, October 1934 and January 1935 issues of All Detective respectively. In these stories, the hero is Nibs Holloway, who works for a jewelry company. Nibs appeared in 2 stories without Doctor Death: "The Death Gambler" (Rapid-Fire Detective Stories, 5/33, published by Rapid-Fire Pubs) and "A Deal in Phonies" (All Detective, 8/34, Dell). Obviously, Doctor Death was meant to only appear in the second Nibs story, but was instead brought back in the fourth and subsequent stories. At the end of each story, he was seemingly killed off, only to reappear in the next story.
In these stories, Doctor Death is a dangerous mastermind of a foreign crime syndicate. No information is given as to his real identity or motives.
Second Doctor Death
In February 1935 All Detective was replaced by a new magazine entitled Doctor Death, which featured a new, somewhat different version of the character. While the original Doctor Death had been a straightforward criminal mastermind, the new one was an archetypal mad scientist. These new stories were written by Harold Ward under the pseudonym of "Zorro". Although an apparent change of author, Robert Weinberg has stated that "Edward P. Norris" was also a pseudonym of Harold Ward.[1] Since Weinberg's claim, Ward's work has been more thoroughly examined, and it was determined Ward did not write those early stories.
Only three issues of Doctor Death were published, in February, March and April 1935. Each of these issues contained a complete Doctor Death novel under the byline of Zorro. In chronological order, the three novels are:
- 12 Must Die
- The Gray Creatures
- The Shriveling Murders
In addition, there are two additional stories, which were unpublished at the time:
- Waves of Madness
- The Red Mist of Death
In these novels, Doctor Death is Dr. Rance Mandarin, formerly a professor at Yale University and now a master of the occult with an insane hatred of scientific progress and industrialization. He believes it is his mission to return the world to a blissful primitive state, which he attempts to do with the aid of zombies, elementals, dissolution rays and communist heavies. He hopes to reduce the human population, and return us to the stone age. Opposing Doctor Death is an organization known as the Secret Twelve, led by supernatural detective Jimmy Holm, with the President of the United States himself as its figurehead.[2]
In the 1960s, Corinth Books reprinted the 3 Doctor Death novels, plus a fourth book reprinted the short stories from the 3 issues.
Two unpublished novels, Waves of Madness and The Red Mist of Death were printed in the pulp fanzines Nemesis, Inc #28-30 and Pulp Vault #5-6 respectively.
In 2008, Altus Press reprinted the four early Doctor Death stories from All-Detective: "Doctor Death", "Cargo of Death", "Death's I.O.U." and "Thirteen Pearls." [3] In 2009, Altus reprinted the five Harold Ward Doctor Death stories in two volumes.
See also
- ^ Weinberg, Robert (1979). Pulp Classics #19. Robert Weinberg. p. 4
- ^ Hutchison, Don (1995). The Great Pulp Heroes. Mosaic Press. ISBN 0-88962-585-9. p. 188
- ^ "Doctor Death: The Complete Doctor Death in All-Detective". Altus Press. 2010-10-26. Archived from the original on 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
External links
- Page with Doctor Death cover scans
- Doctor Death: The Complete Doctor Death in All-Detective reprint collection published by Altus Press.


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McCrae's Battalion News and Events
On these pages you'll find updates on the most recent McCrae's Battalion Trust news and events.
From the installation of the 'Fifth Plaque' to the latest information on our annual pilgrimage, this is where we'll post it.
Most recently, Raith Rovers unveiled their stunning new commemorative McCrae's away strip – in memory of the lads from Stark's Park who joined the Hearts boys in 1914.
If you have any stories that you think we should feature here, please don't hesitate to make contact.


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Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: Young Adult | Dystopia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
Source: Library
Format: Physical
Thou shalt kill.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own (goodreads).
Wow. Scythe asks a lot of great questions and explores many shades of gray.
Plot: Shusterman wove a future where humanity was all but perfected. With the lack of disease and war to take its usual casualties, society selected several individuals to serve as Scythes, basically your modern day Grim Reapers. I absolutely adored the direction that Shusterman took with this novel. He explored what truly made humans and wasn't afraid to create morally gray protagonists.
It was not an action-packed novel, but the novel moved at a steady pace. Citra and Rowan were chosen by a Scythe to compete for a chance to become a Scythe themselves, I would say it took place over the course of nine months, even though I sometimes had trouble gauging how much time had passed. I loved how each event helped shape our characters and how Citra and Rowan had the freedom to explore every aspect of Scythedom. The novel was told from both Citra and Rowan's perspectives along with journal excerpts from various Scythes. Scythe's format was engaging and keep me intrigued at all times.
Characters: Citra and Rowan were two very different characters who were joined together by one unpleasant situation. Citra came from the loving family and was book smart. Rowan came from a large family and felt like he was just wandering through life with only one person who truly cared for him. I enjoyed reading from both perspectives and learning how they were dealing with learning how to skillfully glean - or kill - a person. We were also introduced to a great diverse group of characters who were arguably more interesting than Citra and Rowan. Given the events of Scythe, I can't wait o see how all of our characters develop further.
Worldbuilding: My jaw will not stop dropping from how well-crafted the world of Scythe was. Shusterman flawlessly explained the negative effects of humanity progressing and thought of every aspect humanity's perfection could impact daily life. I don't know if I can properly articulate how impressed I was with the world of Scythe: the terminology didn't seem out of place, the diversity was great, and the geography was just so well thought out. Two thumbs way up for Neal Shusterman!
Short N Sweet: Scythe made me think and care for the characters, I can't wait to return to this world.


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Please select a second date to complete the range.
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is one of the most important cities in the world. It combines the modern with the cultural, the artistic and the ancient, the result of centuries of captivating history.
On this tour you will see multi-faceted Madrid as she really is. Starting from the Arab-fortress origins to the court days, during the reign of Philip II and that of Charles III, you will see the development of this great city. This is the period when some important building schemes were undertaken and finally, present day Madrid, became one of the most important European capitals.
Approx 2.5 hoursStart time
09:00am and 3:00pm
Tour starts from San Nicolas street nº15 (Corner with Plaza de Ramales).
Please report at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.
Tour returns to your original point of departure
You will be picked up from designated meeting point. Accompanied by a guide, you will travel in deluxe air-conditioned coach to explore the Spanish of Spain, Madrid.
This city tour will show you many well-known areas, monuments and sights of Madrid. We highlight some of the more interesting places you will see on this tour.
We'll drive past the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterised by Phillip II and his Renaissance and Baroque style buildings like those in the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa.
We will visit the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. We will admire the works of José Bonaparte in the XIX century, such as the elegant Plaza de Oriente and The Prado Museum.
We'll drive past such well-known avenues as those of Gran Vía and Castellana and famous squares such as the the district of Salamanca, Plaza de Castilla, Parque del Oeste, University Campus, commercial and financial zones of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium..
During the tour, we will visit the famous Hard Rock Café. A soft drink is included and will be offered to you when you are there
At the end of the tour the bus will return to Plaza de Espana, 7, Madrid.
Please call the activity operator at least 24 hours prior to the start of the tour to confirm your departure details.
Children (0 - 5) year free but drink is not included.
Voucher information: You must print and surrender a paper version of your booking voucher for this activity (showing your voucher on a smartphone is not accepted). No refund can be given for customers without a printed copy of their voucher.
English, French, Spanish and Italian options are available
The tour was absolutely excellent and a great way of seeing the beautiful city of Madrid on a short stay. The guide was very good and we saw a lot of the Old city which I...Mrs Kathy Ryder, Ireland, 08/Apr/2014
We appreciated the advice given by the tour guide about pickpockets. She is very knowledgeable but do wish the tourists would stop talking when the tour guide is introducing us...Margaret J Wong, Australia, 13/Jul/2013
With little time available to us in Madrid, the coach tour enabled us to see all the major sights of the city in air-conditioned comfort and with an informative guide. The break...ms j a reeves, United Kingdom, 18/Aug/2011


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3-D Targets
The current 3-D target product offering consists of human and vehicle targets made of ABS plastic vacuum formed material. The human target is capable of withstanding approximately 3,000 rounds before hit registry failure, and the vehicle 3-D target varies case by case (depending on ordinance used).
Originally requested by the armed forces during war time, human 3 -D targets are used to acclimate shooters to engage humanoid targets supporting decision making skills such as; "Threat—No threat" in live fire events. The 3-D targets are configured with various hand held items for shooter discernment on employing proper rules of engagement (RoE) in complex environments. The 3-D human target can be employed in live fire lanes, on mobile platforms or static pop-up configurations. The 3-D targets are designed to fit on standard target lifters found on most government ranges or can be fixed to any number of target stands. Options are available for targets to be geo-specific upon request befitting the contemporary operating environment desired.
Vehicle 3-D target product offerings, like the humanoid 3-D targets, are vacuum formed. Due to the size the truck parts, they are formed by panels and assembled together with fasteners to replicate a small Toyota truck typically used in developing countries. The 3-D Truck model can be configured to mount on a various forms of towed or motorized chassis or as a stationary target.


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Part 16
"How come Geet become normal suddenly?" Arjun asked Sasha getting confused about Geet's behaviour.
"All credits goes to me, I advised her and see the result." Sasha said blowing air at her left fingers as if drying her nail polish and raising her invisible collar.
"What did you suggest her?" Arjun asked.
"Well, to solve a fight one has to bow down and i just asked her to do so there by ending the fight. Guess she took my advice to put an end to her fight with her Prem." Sasha said.
"Okay, then let's get back to the game. Who has to take the next cue?" Arjun questioned and didn't bother argue with Sasha as she was supporting the husband.
Here Geet tried to remember the way and was quite surprised herself that she still remembered it. She was briskly walking ahead as she didn't want to mislead and get them self lost in this isolated place. A bright sun was dancing on them but that didn't dampen her spirits. After walking a stretch she turned back feeling really happy as they would reach the park very soon that too before their friends while Maan who had a bag pack on his back was walking leisurely as his legs had still cramps but his eyes were on Geet to make sure she didn't run away in her childish excitement.
Here she was so excited & look at her husband away from all the fun. He was dragging himself into this place. If he didn't want to enjoy then why to get her here she thought but she was not going to let him go so easily. She ran back to him in a second but didn't say a thing but silently followed a step behind him and Maan guessed she is definitely upto something.
When Maan reached the spot till Geet had gone before running back to him, he stopped waiting for her to take the lead again but Geet was lost in something else so she collided with Maan.
"Geet, where are you looking and walking??" Maan asked in his stern voice.
"I was searching for a white hair on your head. Don't disturb me." Geet said seriously looking in his hairs.
"Geet… show me the way." Maan said as he stood in front of the big tree and two pathways on either side was there.
"How boring you are… that's why I was searching some white hairs. Uff babaji what did I do for this. Main kya karoon raam mujhe buddha mil gaya haay haay buddha mil gaya" Geet cribbed looking up shocking Maan even more but soon recovered and thought "How the hell did he get this lady as his? Looks like he has to show this buddhi what her buddha can do"
Rather than getting angry Maan came behind her and questioned "So you think I am your Buddha??"
"Yes" she said and turned around slightly disappointed for not getting required reaction of his but to her surprise next second she was swept away in his arms. "You know, this is an isolated place." Geet said.
"So what are you suggesting… you want me to complete what we were doing in bus?" Maan questioned innocently.
She made a face does she has to remind him and pulled him closer to finish off what they had started. He had pushed her against the tree as he took her lips into his. While his hands which were keeping her steady at her waist started to move upwards as her hands had already roamed in his hairs to pull him more into her if any left earlier though. A little space was given only when Maan felt they were out of breath but then his attention was now had been taken by the milky cream skin of hers over the jaw line. They would have gone ahead if not the zooming trucks horn brought them back and Maan stepped a bit away to control his urges to stop. They weren't that far from the highway nor was this a place to do things which they were heading towards.
"You always have to leave things half way??" She complained pouting but clearly knew they had to stop but it was easy to blame it on him.
"Why do you provoke me at the wrong time? We can't do it here but tonight I promise you I wouldn't leave you for a second." Maan said as he corrected his hairs which were ruffled by her while she calmed her erotic heart.
"Tonight is ours, until then let's concentrate on reaching the park first." Maan said taking the bag pack which was waiting for their attention.
With no other interruption Maan & Geet reached the park. And first thing which Geet did was to call up Arjun and tease his decision to not follow her.
"Hello Arjun Sir" Geet said "Where are you? Did you cross the toll gate or not?
By now Arjun had realised his mistake and said "No Geet we are still struck in the traffic. Did you reach the park?"
"Oh Yes we are. Boss is already at the tickets counter. He asked me to check with you how many we need to buy." Geet said trying to hide her giggle which is all set escape from her mouth.
Arjun counted and gave the number of tickets which had to be purchased which Geet conveyed it to Maan.
"How much more time would take for the bus to reach Sir?" Geet asked as she was eager to enter the park and play.
"I just enquired it with the driver, he said approximately in an hour we will be in front of our destination." Arjun said and realised Geet had already lost her patience to wait that too when she was infront of the park moreover she was already not in her best moods but this win over some trivial issue has made her happy as she is in her crispy self so he suggested "Geet, why don't you guys start with the rides. Once we are there we will call you then you can come to the entrance gate to hand us over the tickets."
"Thank you Sir. Call Boss once you are here rather than me I would forget mobile once I am in the park. Boss has already got the tickets." Geet cut the call even before Arjun could reply.
Geet led Maan towards the entrance while she told about their current plan. Maan could only smile at her childish excitement.
More than an hour passed Maaneet were enjoying the rides after ride while the bus just stopped infront of the park and Maan came out to hand over the tickets as Geet was busy in the ride and was not in the mood to come out that early.
As Maan handed over the tickets all the office staff along with family spread over the park as per rides they wished to ride first. None wanted to question where Geet was as they thought how to ask Boss about it. Minal who wanted to accompany Geet as her nieces were already in their world she was alone just like Geet was. So she set out to search Geet in the park. No use of calling on her mobile. And when she finally found Geet, the ground underneath her foot slipped.
Maan's hand was on Geet's waist as she leaned on his shoulder to walk straight. He handed a bottle of water to her as he said "Maan is the one next to you so better get yourself accustomed to it and ditch that prem, it doesn't suit."
Some moments earlier Maan & Geet were in a roller coster ride and the speed & height made Geet little uncomfortable but as Maan was beside her and he insisted to go for the ride she agreed but as the turns & drops got faster & scary she couldn't her scream and out of habit she called out prem aloud and grabbed his arm for support. At the end when they came out she was still bit dizzy. Maan held her and took to the near by seat and to divert her mind he spoke "Maan is the one next to you so better get yourself accustomed to it and ditch that prem, it doesn't suit."
Needless to say Minal was lost in her new-found secret that she couldn't even enjoy the holiday. But she wasn't the one who was going to give soon. If Geet is in trouble be it boss she will pitch in and help her out of it. By the time everyone finished the rides it was already night and so they finished their dinner and got themself ready to travel again. As everyone guided themselves to their respective seats all tired Minal pushed her two niece into front seat next to her Boss and pulled Geet next to her.
Geet couldn't say no to her friend and Maan knew their next destination isn't far so he let her enjoy with her friends. And he was getting the company of two girls which was enough to bring the smile on his lips.


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Catherine Madigan Melbourne Clinical Psychologist
Catherine Madigan clinical psychologist has a private practice based in Hawthorn. She began her career working in one of Melbourne's community mental health clinics, and has substantial experience in the cognitive behavioural treatment of anxiety disorders such as:
- social phobia,
- panic,
- agoraphobia,
- excessive worrying (generalised anxiety)
- hoarding,
- body dysmorphic disorder
- phobias
- health anxiety
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- depression
Catherine began her career in 1995, after completing her study in Psychology at the University of Melbourne. She has worked in several of Melbourne's public and private hospitals, including St. Vincent's Hospital, as well as Cabrini Hospital. Catherine has been featured in Australian media such as The Age, The Australian, Herald Sun, as well as on Channel 2, and numerous radio interviews.
Helping Clients with their Anxiety
She currently provides individual and group cognitive behavioural therapy sessions in Hawthorn, Victoria, and is a former committee member of the Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria (ADAVIC).
She aims to provide brief, effective, affordable meta-cognitive therapy, virtual reality therapy and CBT in a friendly environment.
Catherine is passionate about treating anxiety disorders, and is also interested in counselling on topics related to relationships, and dating. She offers cognitive behavioural therapy treatment and meta-cognitive therapy and virtual therapy. Catherine aims to equip people with the skills to manage stress and overcome anxiety, and believes in people being active participants in their own recovery.
Catherine offers bulk billing for individual sessions for people who have low income health care concession cards
She seeks to help her clients by exposing them to relaxation techniques, CBT self-help manuals, appropriate diet and exercise, and lifestyle changes. Phone on 0429 883671


text:
Harald Schirmer
Manager Corporate HR Development & Organizational Development, Continental AG
"Bring it to the people" is the main focus of Social Media Expert Harald Schirmer. Driving this cultural change from human resource development he is putting a strong focus on the personal use and profit, working on barriers and sustainability of business networking. With his strong background in document and knowledge management, user interfaces and process optimization, he delivers practical solutions for a dynamically changing environment.
- Expert-Panel: Vom Digital Workplace zum digitalen Unternehmen (16.03. 10:00)
- Praxis-Panel: Leuchtturm-Projekte zur digitalen Transformation (16.03. 14:10)


text: Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS): The rebalancing imperative Print Connect Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ By Mat DeLillo | 14 November 2013 In today's Medicaid delivery system, providing long-term services and supports (LTSS) in the least restrictive setting compatible with appropriate care and available resources has become the shared goal of payors, providers, and recipients of services. Known as "rebalancing" the LTSS population, this concept is supported by new government initiatives at both federal and state levels. The interesting question now is: How far can rebalancing go and at what point is it not economically rational? Consumer choice has historically been the driver of rebalancing initiatives and will continue to play a major role. The Supreme Court decision of 1999 in the case of Olmstead v. L.C. supports this view, holding that public entities must provide community-based services to individuals with disabilities, consistent with appropriate services and the wishes of the individuals.1 With the recent proliferation of managed long-term care programs additional focus will inevitably be placed on what is most cost-effective. In order to do this, managed care organizations, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and individual states will need to look toward innovative uses of data that accurately capture and convey physical and cognitive limitations. There are considerable operational challenges to rebalancing the LTSS population by transitioning nursing facility residents into the community; it is a difficult and labor-intensive process. Therefore, focusing the efforts of LTSS rebalancing on those individuals who are most capable of making the transition from institution to community would likely add value.Using the Minimum Data Set to support rebalancing An important source of information about the institutionalized long-term care population is the National Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Minimum Data Set (MDS). The MDS records a mandated assessment conducted for all residents of nursing facilities on admission and every three months thereafter. In addition to these "routine" assessments, MDS assessments are also conducted whenever there is a material change in a resident's status. The MDS contains information on clinical status and services, functional status and assistance, plus psychosocial factors. The results of MDS assessments are used to categorize residents into resource utilization groups (RUG-III), a case-mix classification system used to determine reimbursement for nursing home and skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Section Q of the MDS records whether or not the resident is interested in returning to the community, and also records whether family members are supportive of this preference. An analysis of first-time admissions to Minnesota nursing homes from July 2005 to July 2006 found that 64% of residents showed a preference or support for community discharge; that 40% had health and functional conditions predictive of community discharge; and that 20% had low-care requirements. Overall, 6% of residents met all of these targeting criteria at 90 days after admission, and the authors concluded that a community discharge intervention could be offered to new nursing home residents at 90 days after their admission.2 In another study, MDS assessment data was used to define a "low care" category for nursing home residents. The broadly defined "low care" category comprised those residents who did not require assistance in any of the late-loss activities of daily living (ADL)—bed mobility, toileting, transferring, and eating—and who were also not classified in the RUG-III "clinically complex" or "special rehab" categories. The narrowly defined "low care" category added the qualification that the resident had to be classified in either of the two lowest groups in the RUG-III scheme. Under this classification, 5.1% of residents nationally met the narrow definition of "low care" and 11.8% met the broad definition. For the narrow definition, the percent in each state that were considered to be "low care" ranged from 1.0% to 11.4%; for the broad definition, the range was 1.8% to 19.0%. States that spent a greater proportion of total Medicaid LTSS expenditures on HCBS or had more residential and assisted living beds had significantly fewer nursing home residents with narrowly defined "low care" needs. The conclusion was that there were a significant number of nursing home residents who might be able to avoid permanent institutionalization.3 Fries and James used data from nursing facility transition programs in three states to predict which nursing home residents might successfully transition from nursing home to facility care and should be targeted as individuals for outreach in the Money Follows the Person (MFP) initiative. They developed a "Q+ index" that could be computed from the values of variables found on the MDS assessment. In addition to the preference/support variables from Section Q of the MDS, variables included length of stay, age, and RUG-III group, as well as functional and clinical considerations. The index had 86.5% sensitivity and 78.7% specificity for identifying candidates for transition. Statistically, these results indicate that the model is very powerful. While it was developed using MDS 2.0, the index could be applied to MDS 3.0 assessments.4 Managed care plans could use MDS-based algorithms to identify members who would be good candidates for transition from nursing home to community environments. When paired with historical claims data, such algorithms can be quite powerful by enabling managed care plans to understand and profile potentially successful and unsuccessful candidates for community services, along with their expected costs. States have historically used cost-based reimbursement for nursing facilities; however, with the implementation of managed care delivery systems, the focus of reimbursement will shift away from cost and move toward quality and value. Managed care plans with access to and expertise with MDS and other assessment data will also be in a preferred position to differentiate rates to their facilities to better align incentives and tie payments to outcomes. Effective utilization of MDS data can also aid State Medicaid agencies in developing estimates of how much rebalancing can likely be achieved, risk adjusting Medicaid payment rates, and perhaps even setting the baseline for Medicaid managed care rates. In conclusion, MDS data has been shown to be effective in identifying populations that can successfully transfer from nursing facilities to home- and community-based settings. When paired with historical claims data, powerful predictive models can be built to identify successful candidates and also to predict their costs, thereby enabling managed care entities and states to rebalance in a clinically and economically rational manner. 1. Olmstead: community integration for everyone. Retrieved November 8, 2013 from http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/. 2. Arling G., Kane R.L., Cooke V., Lewis T. Targeting residents for transitions from nursing home to community. Health services research. (June 2010). 45(3):691-711. 3. Mor V., Zinn J., Gozalo P., Feng Z., Intrator O., Grabowski D.C. Prospects for transferring nursing home residents to the community. Health affairs. (Nov-Dec 2007). 26(6):1762-1771. 4. Fries B.E., James M.L. Beyond section Q: Prioritizing nursing home residents for transition to the community. BMC health services research. (2012). 12:186. Download the PDF AuthorsMat DeLilloIndianapolis, IN, USTel: +1 317 5243589 Healthcare Affordable Care Act researchHealthcare costsHealthcare reform 2.0Healthcare reform reading list: From the ACA archivesLong-term care insuranceMedicaidMedical professional liabilityMedicareMedicare ACOs and Alternative Payment ModelsProvider See all topics HealthcareAffordable Care Act researchHealthcare costsHealthcare reform 2.0Healthcare reform reading list: From the ACA archivesLong-term care insuranceMedicaidMedical professional liabilityMedicareMedicare ACOs and Alternative Payment ModelsProviderEmployee Benefits and InvestmentDefined benefit plansDefined contribution plansInvestmentInsuranceAnalytics and modelingCatastrophe risk and insurance-linked securitiesInsurtechLife insuranceLong-term care insuranceMedical professional liabilityProperty and casualty insuranceRisk managementSolvency IITelematicsRisk Management and Financial ServicesEnterprise risk management Related links How to optimize partner providers' performance using claims analyticsZombie statistics and the prevalence of rare diseases: A scary storyAdvantages of creating plan segments in Medicare Advantage bidsSummary of individual market enrollment and Affordable Care Act subsidiesIs your spouse contagious?